League is where you win places

Wexford v Limerick Today, 2pm

IF you’re not from Limerick, chances are you’d never heard of Seamus Flanagan before last year’s Allianz League.

He was part of the U-21 panel that won the All-ireland in 2017 but only appeared for a couple of minutes in the semi-final win over Galway.

Yet by the end of 2018 he was an ever-present in an All-ireland winning Limerick senior team, starting all eight games, scoring in each of them and earning an All-star nomination.

Ask him how it happened and he points to last year’s breakthrough League campaign when Limerick secured promotion.

Flanagan said: “I got my position last year because of my performances in the League and that was said to me. I guarantee you that throughout every camp now, they’re saying the same thing - if you put it in in the League, you’re going to be there for the Championship.

“This is where you win your place. I know 15 or 20 lads already looking to get their place this year and John Kiely has told them there’s places up for grabs.”

It’s that thought that energises Flanagan who has been named at full-forward again for today’s trip to Davy Fitzgerald’s Wexford.

He nodded: “Absolutely, I left my jersey in a good position last year but God knows I’m not guaranteed it again now.

“You’ve the likes of Kevin Downes coming back into form, the Na Piarsaigh lads are all available and have a full pre-season behind them. It’s going to be cut-throat again for those places.”

KILKENNY host Cork at Nowlan Park in the other Division 1A game.

Galway and Waterford welcome Laois and Offaly respectively in 1B and will fancy their chances of big Round 1 wins.