OPINION: I think it’s the year for a Limerick and Clare trilogy - Shane Dowling

THIS weekend, I have to think back to when Limerick were playing cork, in a do or die clash in the Munster championship, fighting for survival, while Clare were sitting at home with the feet up looking forward to a Munster final.

It was a great position to be in for them of course, while the other four Munster teams had to go to war.

Well, how the tables have turned.

This weekend, Limerick have the feet up, while they can sit back and watch the two quarter-finals.

It could have been just as easy that Limerick were playing Dublin. Instead they got six days off after the Munster final, were able to take a bit of down time and start winding things back up when necessary.

It was great when it was announced on Monday that both the games were going to be a double header in Limerick.

I think that pays a big compliment as to how things are run down here. From both a stadium viewpoint and from a Garda viewpoint in controlling traffic etc.

I think we would all agree that the TUS Gaelic Grounds could do with a bit of a face lift - nobody would argue that. It’s no different to any stadium/house/business that after a number of years and a lot of use it needs to be freshened up.

But credit where it is due they make the best of what’s there.

And most important, the pitch is in top class condition. The dressing rooms and exactly what you would want as a player.
The view from the open stand is as good as anywhere in the country. So it’s great that it is getting a lot of big games this year.

I know there was a lot of talk about the Joe McDonagh teams and the hiding that Offaly got.

Tipperary put up a record score and destroyed them and there is no denying that!

But why as there little commentary about the Dublin v Carlow game?

Carlow were right in that game with a few minutes to go!

I’m not sure I buy into all this about leaving the Joe McDonagh teams off after the final.
What harm is it the way it is?

Yes, the people of Offaly will tell you the harm after what they had to go through - but underneath it all can’t it be said, now lads - that’s the level we all want to get to, it won’t happen today or tomorrow so let’s go to work!

Rather than thinking we nearly won the Joe McDonagh, a small bit more we will do it and we aren’t that far off it.
Look at Carlow, they go away now for the winter on a massive high, winning the Joe McDonagh, shoving it into the Dubs after leading at half time. And they also know the few bits they have to work on.

There are pros and cons to the preliminary quarter-finals, but rather then making excuses I think these counties should be meeting the challenge head on, see what happens, build for the following year and see what progress is made.

This weekend sees two massive games in the last six of the championship.

Galway v Tipperary

For anyone that has had the unfortunate way of listening to my commentary over the last couple of years, they would have heard me banging on about Liam Cahill and Mikey Bevans.

If you haven’t, I’ll tell you why.

They went down to Waterford and did an incredible job.

Beat all before them just not Limerick.

They had Waterford hopping. And, they went there when Waterford were on the back of a hiding in 2019.

Now, just look at what they have done to Tipperary.

These are serious boys.

And I think they will take a massive scalp on Saturday also.

Tipperary had three weeks off, a grand game against Offaly to get the ball going again, and sets them up nicely.

It’s some big game for Henry Shefflin and Galway.

A whisker from been in an All-Ireland semi-final, and one loss here and gone.

This would be bonus territory for Tipperary, but not for Galway. Nobody thought Tipperary would even get out of Munster a number of months ago.

Clare v Dublin

I’ll be honest, I think if Clare can get over this game, they will land themselves in an All-Ireland final.

This is the banana skin. Why?

Well, trying to come down, and get over the Munster final is a challenge in itself. Last year, the scrambled to get over Wexford after the Munster final.

Also, Dublin only walked over the line against Carlow so you’d wonder what the mind would be telling the brain.

Now - beat the Dubs, and what an opportunity to right the wrongs of last years game v Kilkenny. And deep down that’s what they will want.

I must say though - I think it’s the year for the trilogy. I can just see it - a Limerick and Clare final!