Footballers head for quarter-final in Foynes

LIMERICK will present Clare with a significantly more stringent test in Foynes on Sunday from 2pm, when the counties meet in the quarter-final of the McGrath Cup.

When the teams last met, in the 2012 Munster semi-final in the Gaelic Grounds, Clare emerged with a thrilling one point win. The pace isn’t likely to reach championship pitch this weekend but both sides will be very keen to reach the semi-final and secure at least one more competitive game before the league starts on February 3.

Aside from the 20 players who featured in the game against LIT, Clare may gave a run to David Tubridy, who has been struggling recently with a groin injury, while his Doonbeg colleague Shane Ryan, Kilmurry Ibrickane’s Mark McCarthy, Éire Óg’s Dean Ryan and Eoin Troy (O’Curry’s) and Laurence Healy (Ennistymon) who have returned to the panel. Kilfenora’s Killian Malone, along with Wolfe Tones Chris Dunning and Kevin Cahill may also come into contention.

The counties will meet again on April 7 when Clare will have home advantage in the final round of the NFL Division 4. There will be a lot more at stake that day than will be the case on Sunday in Foynes. Nonetheless both counties will be very keen to get some momentum going as the league approaches.

Last October Limerick manager Maurice Horan was re-appointed Limerick football manager for another two years. The Ballinrobe native’s two year term ended when his side were defeated by Kildare in this year’s All-Ireland qualifiers last July.

Limerick will featured Clare senior hurling coach, Paul Kinnerk, who teaches at St Caimin’s in Shannon, where Clare coach Ger Keane is also on the teaching staff.

It’s interesting to note that the Clare team which lined out last Sunday, showed 12 changes in the starting 15 from the team that played against UL in the first round of the McGrath Cup on January 8, 2012 in Doonbeg. The three players that started both games were Martin McMahon, Gordon Kelly and Gary Brennan.