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04 February 2005
Hurlers get the show on the road
By: John A Murphy
IT’S time, well almost, to start shaking off the winter cobwebs and getting ourselves into the groove for the taxing league and championship year that lies ahead. A year of sky high expectancy and a year, hopefully, of generous delivery.
Nothing major at stake it has to be said at Fraher Field on Saturday (2.30) when our champion Munster hurlers host Limerick for the first silverware of 2005 on offer. It’s the annual AIB sponsored tournament, with the Shannonsiders in the “other’’ corner for the first time.
Much more at stake however for the senior footballers who make the journey to the Garden County to take on Wicklow in the opening round of the National League campaign on Sunday. A first here for newly appointed manager John Kiely, but in truth the prospects of plundering the brace of points aren’t great.
INTERESTING
The AIB tourney at Fraher Field is a game that can be genuinely looked forward to. For one thing Limerick are committed to bringing as many of their regulars as are available to manager Padjoe Whelehan, and for our own part the bulk of the heroes of 2004 are also likely to see action.
There will, correctly, be a level of experimentation by Justin and his co selectors, but to what extent remains to be seen. Will we see the returning Fergal Hartley in action at some stage, and if so in what capacity will he be utilised? Enough to encourage a fair sized attendance to make it to the Old Boro venue.
With Limerick fully intent on making this a meaningful test, it should be a lively opener to the new year. The result, as I’ve said, is largely incidental, and much more of importance will be the manner and quality of the display we turn in.
With bigger, infinitely bigger, games to come Saturday’s should be an ideal pipe opener both for ourselves and our visitors. It will be nice if we manage to get the show on the road with a win, but nothing to get too squeamish about if we don’t.
Twenty four hours later the players will be on the road again with a short journey over the border to Clonmel and another tournament outing against Tipperary. Its one we owe our neighbours from last year but the expectation is that most of the weekend experimentation will be reserved for this one.
Hopefully everyone will come through the games injury free, leaving management with a fully fit panel to select from when the Cats come to Walsh Park on February 20th for that mouthwatering first outing in the league campaign.
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