Brendan Cummins
Limerick will never get a better opportunity to bury the Cats
THERE’s nothing worse than walking off the field knowing that you’ve missed a glorious opportunity and if Limerick don’t get the job done against Kilkenny on Sunday, it’ll haunt them for years.
When I look back on my own days with Tipperary, two games still gnaw away at me because we were good enough to prevail on both occasions: the 2011 AllIreland final against Kilkenny and the 2013 qualifier in Nowlan Park against the Cats.
They were lost opportunities when we were good enough to prevail and the key word in the Limerick dressing room on Sunday is belief. Waterford didn’t have it when Kilkenny were on the ropes two years ago and they had to wait 12 months to make amends – and even then it was an almighty struggle.
Limerick saw what Kilkenny have to offer last year and they must firmly believe that they’re better than them. That’s easier said than done, however, and if they don’t, they’re beaten before a ball is even pucked.
John Kiely (inset) made wholesale changes from last year’s qualifier clash, opting for more pace and power in attack and now they have a half-forward line that filters back the pitch and can still be up the other end when the ball lands there by some miracle.
The work-rate of Gearóid Hegarty, Kyle Hayes and
Tom Morrissey can prevent Cillian Buckley and Co gaining dominance in the half-back line like they did 12 months ago and that sector is now a totally different proposition.
As Kilkenny prepare for battle for the third week in a row, history suggests this will be a massive challenge for them, and having played a powerful Galway side twice, you can’t underestimate the fatigue.
That heightens the pressure on the Treaty, as despite all the green shoots that they’ve shown, anything but victory will render 2018 a failure.
Limerick will feel its been far too long since they have won a match of any significance at this level. They came close against Kilkenny four years ago, but they have developed the patronising tag of ‘gallant losers’ and eventually it has to come to the point where you’re fed up of being made little of.
Moral victories are a waste of time, so it’s time to put up or shut up. There’s no doubt that they have the raw materials to compete at the business end, if their Ennis flop against Clare hasn’t scarred them.
The performances of Seamus Flanagan (taken off) and Hayes (sent off) for the U-21s against Tipp was worrying, but Kiely has had a month to refresh the group and they must sense the glorious opportunity before them.
The key for any team playing Kilkenny is to try to isolate Pádraig Walsh inside. It’s not fair to say he’s a weak link, but it’s back to the old adage of hammering the hammer and making life uncomfortable for a marquee player.
You need to sit him inside on the edge of the square like Johnny Glynn did, because if he’s only got a standing jump, he’s in trouble. Flanagan plays like Glynn, he’s very combative and uses his strength like Alan Shearer used to do in soccer.
He could feel where the defender was behind him so you could never get a run at him. If they keep Walsh planted inside then they might get some joy; you