Limerick looking to get league challenge up and running as Laois visit Gaelic Grounds

Limerick begin their quest back to Division 1A once more this Sunday as they host Laois in the Gaelic Grounds. Limerick’s struggle in the competition over the last number of years is no secret and manager John Kiely will be desperate for his side to earn promotion to the top tier in the hope of higher quality opposition in next year’s League.

Limerick were relegated to Division 2 back in 2010 after losing each of their eight games. They won each of their games in Division 2 the following year only for the restructuring of the league in to a 1A and 1B format. They were defeated by Clare and Dublin respectively in the 2012 and 2013 1A deciders.

Last year Limerick were beaten by a rejuvenated Wexford side in the opening game to effectively end any hopes of promotion. However, January’s Munster Hurling League has shown glimpses of promise as a number of last years All Ireland U21 squad have been introduced to the senior set up.

Limerick’s biggest threats in the League will undoubtedly be All Ireland Champions Galway and a Dublin side who are under the management of Pat Gilroy for this year. The Galway clash is on the final day and Limerick fans will be hoping that all will be to play for that day.

While promotion is the main aim, John Kiely will view the league as a platform to continue to introduce young players to the demands of Senior Inter-County hurling with the new Munster Championship format in mind.

We look at each of the teams in Division 1B and see how each can cause a threat to Limerick’s hopes of returning to the top tier of League Hurling.

Laois

Limerick open their campaign by welcoming Laois to the Gaelic Grounds. The Leinster side are no pushovers but Limerick should have too much for them. Laois do have dangerous forwards in Charles Dwyer and Stephen Maher, who will be familiar to the Fitzgibbon Cup players after their exploits with IT Carlow. Managed by xx this year, Laois will be hoping to improve in their performances last year where they finsihed bottom of the table. They were only saved from relegation after beating Kerry by a single point after extra time in the relegation play-off.

Vs Limerick- Sunday January 28 in Gaelic Grounds @2pm

Offaly

Last year Offaly reached the League quarter finals after picking up a single win against Kerry. This brought the league system into question as Offaly faced the then defending All ireland champions Tipperary in the QF. There they gave a good account of themselves and will hope to continue in a similar trend this year. In Shane Dooley they have one of the most prolific scorers in the country. They have also caused Limerick a few problems over the years in the League. Expect Offaly to finish fourth behind the big three of Galway, Dublin and Limerick.

Vs Limerick– Sunday February 4 in O’Connor Park @2pm

Dublin

After a number of years in the doldrums, this year promises to be different for the Pat Gilroy managed outfit. The St Vincents man has redrafted severl players who had left the panel recently and Dublin look like a real threat to escape from Division 1B at the first time of trying. Relegated last year after picking up a solitary win in the group stages before being beaten by Clare in the Relegation final. However, the return of the likes of Danny Sutcliffe, Peter Kelly and Johnny McCaffrey means Dublin are legitimate promotion contenders.

Vs Limerick – Saturday February 17 in Gaelic Grounds @7.45pm

Antrim

Antrim are back in Division 1B after gaining promotion last year defeating Carlow in the promotion final. Antrim will be keen to prove that they belong at this level however, they have the toughest possible start as they travel to the reigning All Ireland and League champions Galway on the opening weekend. Antrim will look to the games against Laois and Offaly as realistic opportunities to get points on the board and possibly reach the League quarter finals.

Vs Limerick– Sunday February 25 in Cushendall @2pm

Galway

Since Galway were shocked by Wexford in the League last February, they have been simply unstoppable. They finsihed the League as champions despite not getting promoted to the top tier. They followed that with a summer of excellence to secure a first All Ireland title in 29 years. The Tribesmen will enter the league as heavy favourites to return to 1A and rightly so. However, Limerick await the Tribesmen in the final round of the league with their own hopes of promotion. If that is the game to decide promotion, expect fireworks in Pearse Stadium.

Vs Limerick– Sunday March 4 in Pearse Stadium @2.30pm

Full Fixture List for Limerick (Home side named first)

Limerick v Laois- 28/1

Offaly v Limerick- 4/2

Limerick v Dublin- 17/2

Antrim v Limerick- 25/2

Galway v Limerick- 4/3