Ger Power is new boss of Limerick football

GER POWER, out of the limelight in gaelic football since he won the last of his eight All-Ireland medals with Kerry in 1986, is back making the headlines again.

This week, it was announced that he is to become manager of the Limerick football team, subject to formal ratification by the Limerick County Board, and already he has played a very important part, as assistant trainer, in the great drive for another county football championship title by his Tralee club. Austin Stacks.

Power takes over the management of the Limerick team from fellow Austin Stacks man and former playing colleague, John O’Keeffe, and he said this week:

“I don’t see why we can’t take on any of the teams in Munster. It all depends on how big an effort the county and the players will make. I could see Limerick upsetting a lot of teams.”

It will be a changed setup in Limerick under Power. “Johnno had an older team of players and the plan now is to have a lot of young players; it’s intended to have a total re-building of the county team,” he said.

Power was born in Limerick and looks on it as his second home. “I know all the officials and others involved in the game there and I am really looking forward to this challenge,” he said.

As regards Austin Stacks, he is delighted to be associated with their county championship run. He was disappointed that Stacks did not win last Sunday’s county final, but he says that they could also have lost it at the end.

“A lot of people weren’t giving us a chance and I think that we will have more confidence the next day. A draw is a draw and the important thing is that we have another bite at the cherry.”

Meanwhile, the Stacks club has decided against running a train to Killarney for the replay on Sunday week. Club chairman Eddie Barrett said that a meeting had been held with representatives of the supporters and it was as much a financial decision as anything else.