Make or break time for these young Shannonsiders
Limerick have been competely written-off ahead of their qualifier against Kilkenny, but it’s a chance for the young guns to make a statement for the future.
“Either we heal now, as a team, or we will die, as individuals” — Al Pacino, Any Given Sunday
Everyone’s favourite underdog, the Limerick senior hurling team, travel into the epicentre of the lions’ den this weekend, Nowlan Park, to take on that most intimidating of hurling beasts: a written off and hurt Kilkenny outfit.
To paraphrase Donn O’Sullivan in this week’s Limerick Leader, there have been three reactions since the draw was made. Firstly, the disappointment among the media that there appears to be no game worth even talking about, the so called “big guns” having all avoided each other. Secondly, you have the punters who foresee a whitewash; and lastly, the die-hard members of the unlimited heartbreak brigade who expect what they always get — exceptional heart, effort and passion, but ultimately, no result. Among those three expectations, there appears to be no room for even the mention of a Limerick victory. Maybe, probably, rationally, for good reason. But if that isn’t motivation enough for the Treaty Men to pour themselves out on the soil of the Marble City, then maybe JP could fly Al Pacino in for some last minute words of encouragement.
Limerick are a young team composed of fantastic individual talents, but their true capabilities when they click as one cohesive unit is seen less often, for a ten minute spell in the first half against Clare, and indeed, for longer spells in the fine victory over Tipperary in the first round of the Munster U21 hurling championship last week.
Limerick are hurting, written off, and would have been hoping for a draw such as this to see where they truly are in terms of their development as a serious inter-county force. With all due respect, as previous qualifiers have shown, trips to Mullingar and Portlaoise don’t add a great deal to the progress of the side. The problem is Kilkenny are equally hungry, equally hurt, and have more seasoned, and simply a better and deeper squad. It’s an intimidating proposition. If they’re honest, true supporters of the side will be satisfied with an honest, aggressive and consistent performance. The result, even for the most optimistic follower, is probably out of reach. It will be a case of stopping protagonists in chief Reid, Richie Hogan — who revealed this week that he is essentially operating as a professional hurler now — Cillian Buckley and crucially, Michael Fennelly, and quite literally, fighting like dogs in the middle to win as much dirty ball as possible, win frees and operate for as long as possible in opposition territory.
The choice of Darragh O’Donovan and Paul Browne in midfield is refreshing and they will most likely be aided by Cian Lynch, crowding the middle and preventing clear cut supply being delivered into the utterly terrifying black and amber attacking six. The absence of Diarmuid Byrnes in the Limerick half back line is disappointing and indicated that the previous injury may still be hampering his progress.
There is a buzz around Shannonside that was not felt before the Clare game, a “final stand” if you will, and there is a sense of unity, of pride and of steely determination. A large Limerick contingent is expected, and will play a huge role in driving their young representatives on, particularly in the eye of the storm, when the home side inevitably hit their purple patches. I use the plural tentatively, limiting the number of said purple patches, and killing Kilkenny’s momentum at key periods, drowning out the home support, though an exceptionally difficult task, will be crucial to disrupting their flow and game-plan.
The traditional adjectives used in the same breath as the Limerick hurling of old, “direct”, “hard”, “honest”, associated with names such as Mike Houlihan and Frankie Carroll, are still applicable, even if tactics and game-play styles have evolved dramatically. It may be time to instill some of these traits, even controlled aggression into this young, eager bunch of hurlers.
A direct style will benefit Limerick on Saturday, the wide open plains of Nowlan will allow for deliveries to be spread wide for the likes of Peter Casey and David Dempsey to latch onto. The choice of Shane Dowling full forward is welcomed by many, he has the potential to wreak havoc here if supplied adequately. Kyle Hayes worked wonders at half forward against Clare, so expect him to drift outward between the half forward line and midfield, and fulfill an important role which had been missing the last day: reading and picking up the breaking ball before an opponent.
The media appear disinterested, the Kilkenny fans only semi-conscious the game is even happening. Most Limerick fans travel more in hope than expectation, and even the most hardcore followers hope only for a proud display. Limerick have been underdogs in almost every championship game they’ve played since the 90’s, but this is up there with the most written off they’ve ever been. A repeat display of the Titanic 2014 battle, this time with a combined effort of new and old soldiers, would renew hope and vigour in every hurling man, woman and child in the county. They need fear nothing, as the captions read before Italia 90 for a certain Mr. Charlton — “Give it a lash Jack”. Wise words to live by, and words that we hope will epitomise the Limerick performance on Saturday.
