Limerick senior football manager Jimmy Lee issues squad update ahead of Tailteann Cup semi-final

LIMERICK senior football manager Jimmy Lee has issued a squad update ahead of his side's Tailteann Cup semi-final against Wicklow on Sunday afternoon at 2pm in Croke Park. 

Fiachra Cotter, Colm McSweeney, Barry Coleman, Cormac Woulfe and Darragh O'Siochru still remain sidelined through injury. 

"Cormac (Woulfe) won't be part of this weekend anyway and either will Colm McSweeney. Fiachra (Cotter) is out through injury this weekend. We just need to see where the lads are this week, they've body of work to do and they have to meet the numbers we set out," said Limerick senior football manager Jimmy Lee. 

Darragh O'Siochru still remains a long-term injury absentee with a broken collarbone. 

Lee is hopeful that Limerick senior football vice-captain Barry Coleman could make his return from injury. The Rathkeale clubman has struggled with injury during the league and championship this year. 

The Limerick manager has been impresed with the way other players have stepped up in the absence of the injured players. 

"There's a lot of competition for places within the squad, the actual reality is that there is fierce competition for places. They are driving eachother in terms of what they're doing, last week it was Conall O Duinn's first game in the championship and we had no hesitation in putting him on."

In March, Limerick and Wicklow played out a 3-15 to 1-21 draw in Division 4 of the Allianz Football League. The Newcastle West native is expecting another tough battle from Wicklow this weekend. 

"Wicklow have some serious operators, they are a physical team and Oisin McConville will have them ready to rock. Wicklow met Dublin earlier in the year in the Leinster championship and they gave them a right go. Anyone that tells you it is the soft side of the draw, when you're coming out a game against Wicklow you'll know it because of your body," added Lee. 

Lee highlighted how crucial it is that the players get the opportunity to showcase themselves in Croke Park for the Tailteann Cup semi-final. Kildare face Fermanagh at 4pm in the other Tailteann Cup semi-final in Croke Park. 

"It's important for the lads and the players on all four teams that are involved that they get their time in the sun. I have no issue with the scheduling, while we would all love to be at the hurling game it's just not possible this weekend. We wish John and the lads well and hopefully they get through."

A place in the Tailteann Cup final would be a reward for his side's efforts this year according to the Limerick senior football manager. The Tailteann Cup final takes place on Saturday July 12 as part of a double header with the All-Ireland senior football championship semi-final. 

"For the players, it would be massive for the time and commitment they have put in this year. They have really knuckled down and put their shoulder to the wheel. It would be an achievement for them, you look at the older lads Danny (Neville), Iain (Corbett), Paul (Maher), Cillian (Fahy) and James Naughton. They have a lot of work done and they have made big sacrafices for Limerick football. It would be nice for them to play at that stage. 

"Sometimes you don't always get what you deserve, it will take a lot of hard work on Sunday. It would be massive but it's one step at a time we won't get too focussed on what's down the road. Our focus is on Sunday."