Fitzgerald hopeful that Limerick footballers have learned from league disappointment

LIMERICK’S senior footballers head into the Munster SFC semi-final clash with Clare with a fresh outlook on Saturday at the TUS Gaelic Grounds.

Interim manager Mark Fitzgerald says that his players have 'reset' since the relegation was confirmed and will do all they can to reach a second Munster decider in two years.

Clare are justifiable favourites to come through with a victory after their surprise quarter-final win over Cork but Limerick have nothing to lose at the TUS Gaelic Grounds.

"Preparations have gone well and we are happy enough with where we are at," said Fitzgerald ahead of the Clare fixture. By virtue of getting to the final last year we are seeded so we have a free shot really at a chance to get into a Munster Final.

"Ultimately, we are looking to replicate what the lads did last year and get to that final and see how things pan out."

Fitzgerald is at the Limerick helm following the surprise resignation of Ray Dempsey as Limerick manager midway through the league after only a couple of months in charge.

The Kerryman came in as one of the coaches under Dempsey when the Mayo native was appointed last October but didn’t think that his step into inter-county management would arrive so quickly.

The game with Clare sees an old rivalry renewed. The sides met in the league with the Banner coming out with a facile win after both had been relegated.

They met at the quarter-final stage in the 2022 Munster SFC and the teams could not be separated. The game finished level at 2-16 to 1-19 but Limerick earned a spot in the semi-final after a 4-1 win on penalties.

That was the first meeting in the championship for four years and it was Clare that got the better of Limerick in 2018 with Colm Collins guiding his charges to a 1-23 to 0-14 win.

Before last year’s penalty shootout victory, Limerick had not beaten Clare in the Munster Championship since 2009.

Despite the relegation to Division 3 for next season, the league campaign was not all negative for Limerick. They have unearthed a real talent in Cathal Downes and Cian Sheehan has also continued his form that saw him nominated for an All-Star last year.

Despite Clare's win over Cork, Limerick will fancy their chances against the Banner rather than a Cork side that they have traditionally struggled against.

Throw-in for the game at the TUS Gaelic Grounds is at 7pm.