Laois game a must-win, says Limerick boss Allen

LIMERICK boss John Allen has several attacking injury concerns ahead of Sunday’s trip to O’Moore Park to face Laois in Division 1B of the Allianz Hurling League, which he has branded a ‘must win’ encounter after the 14-point beating they suffered against Clare in the opening round last month.

Declan Hannon (groin), James Ryan (leg) and Shane Dowling (groin) are all rated as doubtful, while Kevin Downes has been ruled out with a hamstring injury. In addition, Mike Ryan and Seanie O’Brien had club U21 championship games last night, while Mark Carmody is involved with UL in the All-Ireland Fresher Hurling Division 1 final against UCC in Mallow on Thursday, a game UL teammate Hannon is almost certain to miss out on.

“Sunday is a must-win for us after the Clare match and being short attackers doesn’t help our cause. There was huge disappointment at how we capitulated against Clare and an acceptance that [that] standard won’t do. It would be recognised that Clare are at an advanced stage of fitness in comparison to us but we still shouldn’t have been that far behind them.