Limerick senior footballers face McGrath Cup opener

LIMERICK senior footballers will begin their 2023 season with their first outing in the McGrath Cup taking place next week.

Limerick senior footballers have been drawn in Group B of the competition alongside Waterford and Tipperary. Group A of the McGrath Cup will feature All-Ireland champions Kerry as well as Cork and Clare.

Limerick will begin their campaign with a home fixture against Waterford on Wednesday next, January 4 at Mick Neville Park, Rathkeale. Throw-in is 7pm.

The Shannonsiders, under new manager Ray Dempsey, will then travel to Tipperary for their second group fixture on Saturday, January 14 at Templetuohy with a 2pm throw-in time.

The top team in each group will qualify for the final on Wednesday, January 18. Ray Dempsey was revealed as Billy Lee's successor as Limerick senior football manager in October.

Dempsey's coaches in his backroom team are former Kerry footballer Anthony Maher (Duagh, Kerry), former Limerick footballer Eoin Joy (Fr Caseys) and former Kerry minor football mentor Mark Fitzgerald (Kerins O'Rahillys, Kerry). Team selectors will be Martin Barrett (Kiltane, Mayo), Mike Downey (Feohanagh-Castlemahon) and John Chawke (Kildimo-Pallaskenry), who will also be goalkeeping coach.

Meanwhile, Limerick senior hurlers begin their Co-Op Superstores Munster League Group B campaign against Cork on Sunday, January 15 at Páirc Ui Rinn at 2pm.

Limerick are then due to face Kerry in their second group fixture in the competition on Tuesday, January 17 at Mick Neville Park in Rathkeale.

Group A of the competition features Clare, Tipperary and Waterford. The opening game in that group will see Tipperary host Clare on January 8.

The final of the Co-Op Superstores Munster League is due to go ahead on Sunday, January 22.