Limerick Hurling Academy U14, U15 and U16 sides in action on Saturday

One of Limerick Academy's U15 hurling squads

placeholder image — One of Limerick Academy's U15 hurling squads

LIMERICK hurling academy squads at U14, U15 and U16 level all take part in their respective tournaments this Saturday, August 26 at various venues around the country.

The squads have been engaged in academy training, both on pitch and in gym, from January of this year as part of long term player development programmes from a technical, tactical and physical point of view.

All throughout this time the squads have been playing Academy Game days in April, May, June and July playing different counties with all results leading to the forming of the ranking tournaments games in early August.

In those ranking tournaments, Limerick had successful outings at all grades which has placed all our squads in the highest groups possible at the three age grades tournaments.

U14 Squads

Limerick's two U14 squads, who have been the newest intake to the academy, have taken to their surroundings very well and remain unbeaten throughout the season so far having played Tipperary, Clare, Carlow, Kerry, Wexford, Offaly, Galway and Dublin.

There is an extensive spread of 24 clubs represented in the 48 player squad, with 9 from the south, 13 from the East, 15 from the City and 11 from the West.

The Tony Forrestal competition has changed over the last few years with a big emphasis now being placed on player development rather than winning as a reflection of this the Forrestal competition is now broken into three geographical locations, Waterford, Offaly and Dublin.

Both of Limerick's squads have qualified for the Forrestal competition in Offaly’s Faithful Fields and Squad 1 Playing Clare and Squad 2 playing Offaly.

Both squads have 3 games on the day and both players and the management of Chris Sexton, Steve Fox, Mike McCormack, Ed Doyle and Pauric Rattigan are wished the very best of luck.

U15 Squads

Limerick's two U15 Squads are in their 2nd year in their academy development phase and have put in lots of hard work in both the gym and pitch both this and last year.

Limerick have been very competitive in both squads this season with Squad 1 winning all their games so far having played Laois, Wexford, Cork, Galway & Clare, while Squad 2 has been very competitive in their games against Laois, Clare, Meath and Kerry.

The squad of 46 players are again very well represented with a large geographical spread of 22 clubs making up the squad with 13 from the South, 6 from the East, 18 from the City and 9 from the West.

The U15 competitions are held in Tipperary with the Arrabawn Tournament being held over 2 venues, Dundrum and Cashel, and the John Doyle Tournament being held in Clonoulty Rossmore.

Limerick play Tipperary in Dundrum with Squad 1 in the Semi-Final while Squad 2 play Westmeath in Clonoulty in their semi-final. Both hard working squads and management of Dave Clohessy, Alan Browne, Tom Murphy, Jody Hannon, Jason Hayes, Cian Hedderman & James Conheady are wished the very best of luck.

U16 Squad

Limerick's U16 squad are in year 3 of their academy development phase and again have worked very hard on both the gym and the pitch over this year and the previous two years.

The squad is made up of 30 players from 18 different clubs with the divisional breakdown as follows: 6 from the South, 8 from the East, 7 from the City and 9 from the West.

This group has again won all their Academy games this season having played Clare, Tipperary, Waterford, Wexford and Kildare in reaching the finals of the Eugene Carey Tournament which will be held in Kilworth GAA Club in North Cork where they play Dublin in a Semi-Final while the other semi-final is between Cork and Galway.

The players and the management of Shane Dowling, Liam Cronin, Andrew Ryan, Darren Moynihan, Hugh Dunne and Barry O'Regan are wished the very best of luck for the weekend.

Finally, it must be acknowledged the support and help from a number of people who contribute greatly to our Academy firstly Gerry McManus and VPK who very kindly sponsor our squads both the County Board and the County Board na nOg whose support is vital to our operations, to our first aid, medical staff & physio, to our committee all who give their time & energy willingly to help improve our Academy.