O’Brien relishing Limerick’s big chance

ALLIANZ HL DIVISION 1B FINAL

For Kilmallock’s Paudie O’Brien, however, as he prepares to lead Limerick in tomorrow’s do-or-die Allianz Hurling League promotion decider against Dublin, it’s very much feet on the ground.

“It’s only for a few weeks but I’ll take it,” he said, “a huge few weeks for us.

“Win Saturday’s match and we’re promoted to Division 1A for next year with the bonus of another match to come, against Tipperary in the league semi-final two weeks later. A lot of the year for us pivots around trying to get out of Division 1B and it’s not easy under this format. This is a huge game for Limerick.”

Limerick and Dublin were the early favourites to contest this final but O’Brien’s side emerged unbeaten from the group stages. Predictable yes, but easy? Not a bit of it.

“There was no room for error. We had Antrim and Carlow to begin with and a lot of people thought we’d win those easily enough.

“It didn’t turn out like that, two very sluggish performances. We were very lucky to get the win against Carlow and if we had lost that game, trying to pick up team morale for the Dublin game would have been tough. We had sat down at the start of the year and looked at the schedule.

“Two weeks stood out: the Dublin match, then Offaly. We were going up to Croke Park to face Dublin and if we lost there we were facing into must-win games against both Offaly and Wexford.

“They’re not easy games, in any competition. Luckily we managed to win against Dublin and that gave us a bit of breathing space.”

By last Sunday Limerick had in fact guaranteed themselves a top-two place which enabled manager John Allen and his selectors give the balance of his panel a run in the final game. They lost their 100% record but still, says Paudie, a draw against full-strength Wexford was a real positive.

“We were lucky to even draw, given what happened. We were five points up with minutes to go but we left in two sloppy goals. It took a late point to get the draw but that means we’ve lost only one group game in three years in this division which is very consistent.

“A lot of fellas got their chance, everyone on the panel has now had a game. For the young lads especially, to have a big game like that in the league, in Limerick, was a very valuable experience, and a real confidence-boost to get the draw.”

That late point was scored by Paudie himself — “Ah, it was hit-and-hope! The ball ended up with me but the credit goes to the lads who made the score — anyone would have popped it over.”

Even in the greater scheme of things this is a huge game for both Limerick and Dublin. Lose and even before a championship ball is pucked it leaves a sour taste on the season. Win and you head into your championship game with your tail up. And, says Paudie, even though all the attention has been focused on the six teams in Division 1A, no-one should dismiss Limerick, Dublin, Offaly or Wexford come championship. “Any time I pick up a paper — and I don’t do it often — I’m reading about the same few teams.

“Understandably so, they’re the top teams in the league, every team capable of beating the other and that’s what’s been happening. It makes for great viewing, so you can see why Division 1B has been overlooked.

“People aren’t talking about ourselves or Dublin, or anyone else in Division 1B, but at the same time it’s good to be coming in under the radar. This is a great match to have now, a championship-type match. Win that and we have another one in two weeks, that’s what we’ll be trying for. Hopefully ourselves and Dublin will give people a great game of hurling, let people see that we’re also capable of playing to that standard.”