Sophie O'Callaghan urges supporters to get behind Limerick camogie team in Thurles on Sunday

LIMERICK senior camogie player Sophie O'Callaghan is urging as many Limerick supporters to get behind them on Sunday as they face Tipperary in a Munster quarter-final at Semple Stadium, in Thurles.

The game, which has a 2pm throw-in time, is the first part of a doubler header with Limerick senior hurlers Munster championship round robin opener with Tipperary at the same venue.

Sophie O'Callaghan said: “When people are making the journey to Thurles, our match is only that bit earlier I suppose come in and support us.”

O'Callaghan said Division 1B league side Limerick will know more about themselves after this weekend's Munster championship clash against 1A side Tipperary.

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The Shannonsiders finished in fourth place on six points in Division 1B of the Very National Camogie League.

“We finished the league obviously with a win against Westmeath. We're looking forward to the Munster championship. It'll be our first time this year playing a Division 1A team. It'll be a real test for us and we will really see where we are at after Sunday,” added Sophie O'Callaghan.

Joe Quaid's Liemrick side finished the league on a high with a 4-15 to 1-6 victory over Westmeath in Adare in their final group fixture. It was important to get the victory heading into the championship, according to O'Callaghan.

“Joe (Quaid) and the boys gave a lot of girls their debuts and a lot of girls gametime during the league. That was a huge positive, we perhaps would have liked to be a bit more competitive finishing higher up the table.

“The results just didn't go our way and it was hugely competitive Division 1B league.”

There is a big turnover in players in this year's squad with some players departing the set up, while some new players have been added to the squad.

“We had a big turnover this year, but the new girls that have come in have shown huge hunger and they have integrated into the team seamlessly.

“There is huge competition there for places going into the Munster and All-Ireland Championships, it's great to see younger girls stepping up and taking their opportunity.”

Last year proved to be a difficult day for Limerick against Tipperary during the All-Ireland Championship. O'Callaghan and Limerick are under no illusions of the challenge ahead of them this weekend.

“It's a massive challenge, they're obviously a top side, huge quality and huge experience in their side. We played them last year in Championship and thing didn't go our way that day.

“I suppose we just have to focus our own performance. We'll be mostly focusing on ourselves looking to see can we do the right things with the ball and see where that gets us on Sunday,”added O'Callaghan.

The winner of this Sunday's clash in Semple Stadium, Thurles will face Waterford in the Munster semi-final. Meanwhile, Limerick and Tipperary have been drawn together in the same All-Ireland championship group alongside Cork, Clare and Wexford.

Limerick begin their All-Ireland senior camogie championship campaign against recently crowned Division 1A league winners Cork on May 24.