Complacency concerns O'Sullivan ahead of London clash
MICKEY Ned O'Sullivan has warned against complacency as he brings his Limerick senior footballers to London for round one of the National Football League.
Sunday's (1.30) game in Ruislip is the first of eight games in Division Four with promotion the only option for Limerick.
For Sunday's game Limerick have selected the strongest team available.
NFL debuts are handed to Ballysteen goalkeeper Conor Ranahan and wing-forward John Mullane from St Patrick's.
Both made their first competitive starts in the McGrath Cup while Mullane's first appearance in a senior jersey came as a sub in the All-Ireland qualifier loss to Meath last August.
Ten of the team from that qualifier game are selected for the London game.
Stephen Kelly misses out due to rugby commitments with Shannon while captain Seanie Buckley and Stephen Lucey are on the injured list.
Mickey Ned O'Sullivan has warned his troops not to expect anything easy in London.
"Kilmurry-Ibrickane went over to London and were made fight for a win," pointed out O'Sullivan of the recent All-Ireland club championship quarter-final which the Clare and Munster champions only won by four points.
"A lot of good inter-county players have gone over to London in the last six months - they are the one place to benefit from the economic down turn," said the Limerick football manager.
Last season London claimed two wins - against Waterford and Kilkenny.
"We can't take anyone for granted - there is no such thing as an easy team. Everyone now is putting in the same preparation and you have to respect every team," said Mickey Ned.
The Limerick team is notable for the return of James Ryan at centre-forward. The Galbally man committed to hurling last season, but has returned to the football fold as he is one of the 12 players that have withdrawn from Justin McCarthy's senior hurling panel. In the Limerick team there are positional switches in defence. Johnny McCarthy is named at centre-back with Conor Mullane at full-back.
"We are putting together a good panel and I think we have the best panel since I have been involved," outlined the Limerick manager.
After this weekend's trip abroad Limerick return to action in the Gaelic Grounds on Saturday night, February 13 at 7.30pm when Carlow are visitors in round two.
Limerick team: Conor Ranahan; Shane Gallagher, Conor Mullane, Andrew Lane; Stephen Lavin, Johnny McCarthy, Pa Ranahan; Jim O'Donovan, John Galvin; John Mullane, James Ryan, Padraig Browne; Ger Collins, Ian Ryan, Cormac Joyce Power. Subs: Brendan Moran, Mark O'Riordan, Eoin Joy, Raymond Hayes, Wayne Enright, John Cooke, Barry Fitzpatrick, Seanie Buckley.
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Thursday 24 May 2012
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