MONKEY OFF LIMERICK’S BACK
LIMERICK hurlers were arguably the happiest team after the weekend’s resumption of the Allianz Leagues.
Promotion from Division 1B has been their holy grail for eight years so achieving it with yesterday’s defeat of All-Ireland champions Galway saw some well deserved celebration.
To go and win in Salthill and the manner of their victory - they trailed by eight points at half-time – understandably quickened the pulse. They harried and blocked brilliantly in the second-half. Kyle Hayes’ goal in the 48th minute was vital as were late points from Cian Lynch and Pat Ryan.
After getting relegated in 2010 Limerick won promotion back to hurling’s top tier in 2011 only for the league restructure to put them in Division 1B since and they’ve always regarded that as a disadvantage come Munster championship time.
Galway famously won the league and All-Ireland from 1B last year so it remains to see if Limerick can kick on from here, especially as they still have players to return from AllIreland club finalists Na Piarsaigh.
But they’ll still get nothing easy. Next up is a Munster league derby quarter-final against Clare.