Green machine can feed off Páirc support in another Munster double header
Tipperary provide the opposition for Limerick in Sunday’s Munster senior camogie championship semi-final in SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh, which will form a double-header with the Cork and Limerick hurlers.
After spending two productive terms with the Juniors, it is David Deady’s first year managing the Limerick senior team. He is in charge of the county U23s as well.
Having finished third in Division 1B of the league, and through to the All-Ireland U23B semi-final with a game to spare, he is satisfied with their progress.
“As a new management, we were quite pleased with how the league went. Overall it was very positive. We were unlucky not to make the final. We lost to Clare by a goal and they went on to win 1B and were promoted.
“We have a squad of about 42 and there are about 31 of them U23, so there is a big crossover between the two panels and we are finding that very beneficial.
“We know we’re not far away, which is great. With the profile of the squad, that bodes well for next year and the year after to get up to 1A, which is the ultimate goal.”
Limerick showed potential at U16 and Minor level, only narrowly missing out in qualification.
“Management have done a great job in pushing the standard at underage. It is great to see we are competing in the A competitions. It makes the transition that bit easier, we’re very much looking forward to seeing how they transition upwards.”
When you take into account how close Newcastle West pushed St Finbarr’s in the Munster club championship - losing after double extra time 2-19 to 3-14 - and Masters student Sarah O’Brien inspirational when UCC claimed the Ashbourne Cup after a 23-year wait, (the Templeglantine club player was named Electric Ireland Third Level Rising Star POY), there is plenty reason for optimism.
Tipperary, though, have the benefit of a quarter-final victory over Cork, albeit it will be a quick turnaround. They are a Division 1A team too.
“Tipp are very impressive,” the manager, who is also Bruree GAA secretary, says.
“I thought they were a much stronger team and had a lot more scoring opportunities than Cork. They’ve a wealth of experience and a number of newcomers, who have blended in very well. We’re not unaware of the challenge, but it is one we are going to relish. It will give us a good test to see where we are at.
“We have a few players back. But we have lost a few experienced girls, Muireann Creamer and Mairéad Ryan are retired. Caoimhe Costello is on a sabbatical, she will be back with us in 2027. She is doing volunteer work in Zambia, she is home at the moment, but is going away again next month. In fairness, she is doing great work out there.”
The Green Machine benefit from unwavering support, and the hope is Deady’s charges can feed off this.
“We have the unique opportunity in that it is a Cork and Limerick game we are playing before, so it will be lovely to see the Limerick crowd in early and hopefully the girls can show how much they are trying to progress and close that gap.
“If we can stay with Tipp for the first 35/40 minutes and you see the crowd coming in, you get an extra bit of energy from that as well. They could be the 16th person for us.
“The group is very excited about their own game and the opportunity to play in the bigger stadium to experience that level of atmosphere that realistically we haven’t had so far this year.
“We are a project, that is the way I’ll put it. It is going to take two to three years to get these girls up to the top table. That doesn’t mean we can’t get there in the short term either.”
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