Trip to Ennis ends Limerick footballers' stay in league's second tier

LIMERICK'S senior footballers end their Allianz Football League Division 2 campaign when they travel to Cusack Park in Ennis to take on Clare this afternoon.

The fixture brings an end to Limerick's short stay in Division 2 following the defeat against Kildare last time out that confirmed relegation.

Clare are in the same boat as Limerick as their own status was also confirmed by the Lilywhite's victory at the TUS Gaelic Grounds.

Limerick interim manager Mark Fitzgerald has made six changes to the team that lost to Kildare. The Kerry native took on the role of manager after Ray Dempsey's exit and has just four weeks to prepare Limerick for a Munster Senior Football Championship semi-final against either Clare or Cork following Sunday's game against the Banner.

Joint captain Iain Corbett missed the defeat to Kildare on Sunday but Fitzgerald is hopeful that he will be back in plenty of time for the provincial run.

Clare will also be playing Division 3 league football next year following a seven-year stint in the second tier. Banner boss Colm Collins will be disappointed to be in this position after coming close to beating Dublin, as well as losses in tight games against Kildare and Meath.

Clare could also experiment with their starting lineup for today's game. Collins has some seriously talented young players at his disposal with the likes of Brendan Rouine, Aaron Griffin and Emmet McMahon key to their hopes in Munster and beyond.

Limerick have just one point from their six games as they prepare for the trip to Ennis. Defeats to Derry, Dublin, Louth and Cork cost Limerick dearly

A draw against Meath gave Limerick hopes of survival but the Kildare loss confirmed relegation after just one season in Division 2. The game at Cusack Park this afternoon has a 2pm start.