Limerick boss still has sleepless nights before major games

Limerick’s TJ Ryan believes he is now better prepared for the rigours of managing his native county through an All-Ireland championship campaign than was the case a year ago.

The Garryspillane man assumed sole control of Limerick 13 months ago, on the back of the decision by his then co-manager Donal O’Grady to step away from his role after a disagreement with the county board.

It left Ryan, his selectors and the team with just five weeks to steady the ship, which they did manfully thanks to a narrow defeat of Tipperary in Thurles, before Cork relieved them of their Munster title and Kilkenny dashed their All-Ireland hopes in the last four.