Limerick senior footballers aim to bounce back against Cork in McGrath Cup

THE LIMERICK senior footballers will aim to bounce back this weekend against Cork in round two of the McGrath Cup.
A youthful Limerick suffered a heavy 0-15 to 0-4 defeat to Tipperary last Friday in the opening round of the McGrath Cup at Mick Neville Park.

Jimmy Lee fielded an experimental side for the game against Tipperary.The Limerick football manager is hoping that they will be able to mix up their team against Cork between a blend of youth and experience.

“We are trying to give some of the newer players an opportunity as well, we will be trying to balance it. It depends on the level of gametime and the load that each player is carrying.

“We will be monitoring it from there, it's all about January 24 and hitting the ground running,” said Limerick senior football manager Jimmy Lee.

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Lee said Limerick's impressive season in 2025 has been put to one side and all focus is on their 2026 inter-county campaign.

“2025 has been well parked, you can't be living on your memories. It's the future we are looking to not the past. When we have the toes up in front of the fire we can look at the past.”

Lee felt it was important to give young players an opportunity in the green and white jersey last Friday evening in Rathkeale.

“There's a lot of U20's out there, it's an opportunity for them to get a taste of a senior set-up. Overall, I'm happy enough, a few of the lads are disappointed that they dropped balls short and stuff like that.

“That's human nature, I wouldn't be too disappointed. Sixty minutes of senior inter-county which is the positive side of it. That's what this competition is about and developing players. Overall, you don't like to be defeated but I wouldn't be looking at the scoreline.”

This Sunday will provide another chance for younger players to impress on the Limerick senior football panel ahead of the start of Division 3 action in the Allianz League.

“What we are looking for really is can they develop within the set-up? We've a set way of playing football and the coaches coach that and can the lads perform to that level. The difference between challenges and competitive football is that the competitive side is better for developing lads. Challenge matches can ease off with the amount of subs you are using and stuff like that.

“There's lots of positives in it, in terms of the way they are performing and the commitment they are giving. They have all performed in the championship with their club, some of them going longer into November. Craig O'Connell was with Ahane, the Mungret lads and the more and more experience they can get if we provide it to them, the better they will get.”

Limerick begin their Division 3 League campaign away to Laois on Saturday, January 24 at 6pm.