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Same again for Limerick
MICKEY Ned O'Sullivan has given a vote of confidence to his Limerick team for Sunday's Munster senior football championship final.
Management have resisted the temptation to make changes from the side which defeated Waterford in the provincial semi-final.
Twelve of the team remain from the side which suffered a heart-breaking loss to Cork last year - the three newcomers will be the only players facing into their first final.
From last season Brian Scanlon replaces the retired Sean Kiely in goal, Andrew Lane is in defence ahead of Shane Gallagher while James Ryan is in attack at the expense of Cormac Joyce-Power.
While that trio will experience their first provincial final Mark O'Riordan, Stephen Lucey, John Galvin, Stephen Kelly and Stephen Lavin will be lining up behind the band for the fifth time.
When O'Sullivan and selectors Donie Buckley, Maurice Horan and Paddy Ivess confirmed their team they had one real selection dilemma. Conor Mullane missed the semi-final with a hamstring injury, but the St. Senan's man is now back in full training. Management must have been tempted to reinstate Mullane to the position he filled in the NFL final success in Croke Park, particularly with the presence of the towering Kieran Donaghy at full-forward.
Mullane will be one of the options from a strong looking substitute's bench, where Shane Gallagher is another strong defensive option. Eoin Joy has put himself in position for many of the positions around the middle third while in attack Conor Fitzgerald could be vital in the full-forward line in the final quarter. Youngsters Eoghan O'Connor, Seamus O'Carroll and John Mullane will provide the fresh legs, which were so badly missed against Cork last year.
Limerick will bring a panel of 30 to Fitzgerald Stadium in Killarney for a final which has a 2pm start and will be televised live on TV3. The senior final will be preceded, at 11.45am, by the minor decider between Kerry and Cork.
Limerick's panel is drawn from 19 different clubs - nine senior clubs, five intermediate and three junior clubs. Ballysteen lead the way with four players while St. Senan's and Croom both have three, with St. Kieran's, Drom-Broadford, Adare and Fr. Casey's all supplying two players each.
While all four divisions are represented 19 of the players are from western clubs
Kerry team
Jack O'Connor's Kerry team will be finalised closer to the weekend. It will be along familiar lines with just two positions appearing to be up for grabs - a midfield partner for Seamus Scanlon and someone to deputise for the suspended Paul Galvin. The absence of Galvin is just one of the reasons for the high levels of optimism in Limerick ahead of the seventh ever Munster final meeting between the sides.
The Kingdom were victorious in all previous finals (1905, 1934, 1965, 1991, 2003, 2004), but 2010 could provide Limerick's best opportunity.
Many of the Limerick team suffered defeats to Kerry in 2002-2005 during the Liam Kearns era, but Sunday will be the first time that Mickey Ned O'Sullivan and Donie Buckley have guided Limerick into battle against their native county.
In pristine condition
The duo and their backroom team have had Limerick in pristine condition for all key games in recent seasons.
Physically and mentally Limerick must be 100 per cent on Sunday. Midfield dominance is vital and even if Kerry opt not to compete, Limerick can hold an advantage with breaking ball, especially with the absence of Galvin.
Kieran Donaghy, Colm Cooper and Declan O'Sullivan are the attacking axis that will need special attention, but McCarthy, Lavin and company will relish the opportunity. In attack Ger Collins and Ian Ryan carry the main threats, but James Ryan and captain Seanie Buckley will also need to chip in with scores while Padraig Browne and Stephen Kelly will need to cover every inch of the vast open spaces of Killarney.
On the terraces the Limerick support can also play their own role. Tickets for the final are available to purchase from the Gaelic Grounds from 9.30am to 5pm. Stand tickets cost €35, sideline €30, terrace €20, juvenile (family) €5 and juvenile (terrace) €3.
Limerick team
Brian Scanlon (Gerald Griffins); Mark O'Riordan (Croom), Johnny McCarthy (St. Kieran's), Andrew Lane (St. Senan's); Stephen Lavin (Adare), Stephen Lucey (Croom), Pa Ranahan (Ballysteen); Jim O'Donovan (St. Kieran's), John Galvin (Croom); Padraig Browne (Fr. Casey's), James Ryan (Galbally), Seanie Buckley, capt (Dromcollogher-Broadford); Ger Collins (Milford), Ian Ryan (St. Senan's), Stephen Kelly (Newcastle West). Subs: Conor Ranahan (Ballysteen), Shane Gallagher (Ballysteen), Eoin Joy (Fr. Casey's), Conor Fitzgerald (Adare), Eoghan O'Connor (St. Mary's-Sean Finns), John Mullane (St. Patrick's), Cormac Joyce Power (Ahane), Diarmiud Carroll (Arles Kilcruise, Laois), Ray Hayes (Ballysteen), Garrett Noonan (Dromcollogher-Broadford), Seamus O'Carroll (Cappagh), Conor Mullane (St. Senan's), John Cooke (Bruff), Barry Fitzpatrick (Monaleen) and Eoin Fitzigibbon (Oola).
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Wednesday 08 February 2012
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