Eligibility row rules Limerick footballer out of Sunday's Munster SFC

AN eligibility controversy has ruled Limerick midfielder Tom Lee out of this Sunday’s Munster SFC quarter final with Clare.

On April 30 Lee transferred from south Limerick GAA club Ballylanders back to his native Headford in Galway and two weeks ago he played in the Galway IFC.

John Brudair and his Limerick football management were hoping to exploit a rulebook loop hole and transfer Lee back to Ballylanders in time to line out in the Munster SFC but LeaderSport understands that transfer has not being sanctioned by Limerick GAA officials as concerns exist about where he resides.

Lee, a secondary school teacher in Nenagh CBS, transferred to Ballylanders from Headford ahead of the 2011 season and immediately committed to Maurice Horan’s Limerick football side and the Galway native has played a central role with the Limerick footballers for the past six seasons.

Lee trained with Limerick over the weekend before confirmation that he was ruled out of Sunday’s Gaelic Grounds battle with Clare. 

The absence of Lee means that Limerick will be without it’s first choice midfield pairing with Gearoid Hegarty committing 100% to TJ Ryan’s hurling panel in March after attempting a dual career in the early rounds of the league.

The Lee eligibility blow for Limerick comes on top of the loss of centre back and captain Iain Corbett to injury.

Without a win in the last two Munster championships, Limerick are seen as 2/1 outsiders against league champions Clare.