Jimmy Lee: Winning games the priority for the Limerick senior footballers

LIMERICK senior football manager Jimmy Lee said the main priority for his side is to start winning games again.The Shannonsiders begin their Allianz League Division Four campaign with an away trip to Longford on Sunday at 2pm.

“To start winning games again, we'll start there and see where it takes us. Division Four is competitive. It's a competitive division, we'll take it one game at a time,” Lee told Leader Sport.

“Longford have a new management gone in there. They'll be trying to hit the ground running as well. It's a tough ask and the week after we are back to Wexford.”

Manager Lee is happy with the work his side have put in over the last few weeks.

“At the same time, we would be very optimistic. We've a lot of work done. We are happy with where we are. We've evolved through the challenge matches. I'd be hopeful we have done enough to put in a decent performance and let the result take care of itself,” said the Limerick senior football manager.

In the last three weeks, Limerick have played challenge matches against Clare, Laois and Galway. Newcastle West man Lee feels those challenge matches have stood to his squad.

“The preparations have been good. We'd like to think, we are in a good place. They've been vital, obviously not having the pre-season games. The challenge games have been vital.”

There are a number of new rules in Gaelic football that supporters will see throughout the Allianz League.

“Everyone is learning the new rules. It's evolving week on week. It's a been good chance to bed down inside in our own heads. Will we make mistakes, no doubt we will. That's just the essence of what's going to happen with the new rules.”

John Brudair and Patrick Donnelly made the decision to step away from the Limerick senior football backroom team due to work commitments this year.

Evan Talty and Pa Ranahan have been added to Lee's backroom team. Clare native Evan Talty has worked with Kilmurry-Ibricknane, the Roscommon U20's and the Dublin ladies team.

Former Limerick footballer Pa Ranahan has been the coach of Mungret St Paul's. Ranahan guided the city side to promotion to senior football and Mungret went on to reach the SFC semi-finals this year.

“They bring new thinking, they both have proven track records. As a manager, I'm very happy with the team. It's evolved from last year. The people we have brought in have enhanced it is what I would say.”

There is a large turnover in this year's Limerick senior football panel. Long-serving defender Sean O'Dea has retired from the inter-county game after 11 seasons.

Jimmy Lee has recently appointed Cillian Fahy as squad captain.

“Cillian is there a long time, he's a good leader, as was Iain (Corbett). Cillian has seen a lot of it, he's been up and down the Divisions.

“This was a conversation, I had with Iain last year. Iain approached me about it saying maybe you want to consider moving on the baton. He was happy to pass it on.”