Limerick ladies footballers begin All-Ireland journey with trip to Kilkenny

LIMERICK'S ladies football side begin their All-Ireland quest this Sunday afternoon when they make the trip to Callan where they take on Kilkenny in the TG4 Junior Championship opener.

Graham Shine's side will be looking to improve on last year's semi-final exit following a 7-9 to 3-12 loss to Fermanagh in their last four encounter last July.

Shine guided his team to the league final last year but lost out to Offaly. Limerick reached the semi-final of the LIDL National Football League earlier this year but also fell to a defeat in that game, losing to Antrim.

Limerick have prepared for Sunday's championship opener with a run to the Munster senior 'B' final and Shine will be hopeful that the exposure to a higher level of opposition will be of benefit to his panel of players.

The ladies football side also opened the 2023 league campaign with an opening fixture against Kilkenny - coming out on the right side of a 4-13 to 0-2 scoreline.

Limerick will be strong favourites to come out with another win over the same opposition on Sunday. They will also face home games against Down and Sligo in Group A of the junior competition.

The likes of captain Roisin Ambrose, Cathy Mee, Karen O'Leary and Deborah Murphy will be key to Limerick's hopes during the campaign, while newcomer Laoise Browne impressed in the league and in the Munster competition.

Limerick's game with Kilkenny has a 2pm throw-in on Sunday and will be streamed live by the LGFA.