Cork challenge next up for Limerick U20 hurlers

EVAN LOFTUS and his U20 hurling side will have one last opportunity to get out of the round robin group stages of the Munster Championship if they secure a convincing win over Cork this Friday, April 26 in SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh at 7pm.

The Limerick U20 side have had a disappointing Munster championship to date , following a 2-17 to 2-15 loss to Clare in the opening round with a 3-18 to 1-17 to defeat to Tipperary in Mick Neville Park in their last outing in the round robin phase of the competition.

Speaking after the loss to Tipperary, manager Evan Loftus said: “We probably made one or two errors and Tipp punished us as you would expect them to do. We couldn’t get a foothold in the game at all and we have to right those wrongs before we head for Cork.”

“I thought our effort was better against Tipp, it wasn’t as controlled as we would like it to be, it was a bit broken and scattered but overall the intent from the lads was quite good. We have to polish off the hurling side of it now and get our heads straight for Cork.”

The U20 have had two weeks now to regroup and look to right the wrongs of their opening two games in the Munster Championship. Loftus and his management side will be aiming to put on an improved performance against ‘the Rebels’ on Friday night, given the break they have had off in between fixtures.

Cork have already beaten Waterford, 0-21 to 1-10, in their opening game before a close encounter with Clare saw them make it two from two with a 2-22 to 1-19 victory over the Banner. The Rebels currently sit in second position on the table behind Tipperary, compared to Limerick who are in fourth.

A win against Cork will be vital on Friday, but another victory over Waterford in the final group game of the Championship would be just as important for the team. They will host the Déise team on Friday, May 10 in the TUS Gaelic Grounds at 7:30pm.