LISTEN: John Ryan says Limerick are “set up to have a crack at Derry”

The Limerick Ladies footballers open up their Junior All Ireland Football Championship this weeekend with a Round 1 clash against Derry in Ballymaguigan this Saturday in a game that has a 2pm throw in time.

Limerick come into the game having reached the semi-finals of the League and will be confident of their chances against a Derry side that already have a championship game under their belts this year. They were beaten 2-9 to 1-11 against Carlow a fortnight ago.

Limerick defeated Derry in the League earlier this year but manager John Ryan isn’t reading too much into the previous game as conditions this Saturday will be vastly different.

“In the league game we got a few goals. There wasn’t a whole lot between us. On the scoreboard there was but realistcally we got a few goals. When that happens it’s hard when you’re away from home.”

“Saturday at 2 o’clock is a different ball game. It’s championship, it’s in Derry, we have to travel up so it’s all to play for up there.”

Limerick are in Group B which consists of Carlow and Derry. The top two from the Group will progress into an All Ireland Semi Final. In the other group there are four team in which the top two will also progress to the semi-final stage. However manager John Ryan isnt looking past Derry this weekend where a win will guarantee a last four berth.

“That (Derry’s loss to Carlow) puts more pressure on us because they will be up for it. They won’t want to lose the game and they will be very hard to beat, especially in their own back yard. We’ve all the preparations done, we’ve trained hard over the last seven weeks.”

“It’s all been set up to have a crack at Derry on Saturday at 2 o’clock in Ballymaguigan.”

Limerick’s management team consists of manager John Ryan, Jim Moran (Coach), Paul Butler (Selector) and Aideen Fitzpatrick (Liason Officer). They have a 34-women panel to chose from ahead of the game. The squad in full is as follows.

PANEL: Caroline Hickey, Ciara Ryan, Eimear Ryan, Katie Heelan, Mairead Kavanagh, Niamh Ryan (all St Ailbes), Clare O’Meara, Cliodhna Ni Cheallaigh, Jennifer O’Malley, Martina Giltenane, Olivia Giltinane (all Mungret St Pauls), Aine McGrath, Caoimhe Clancy, Cathy Mee, Clodagh McGrath (all Ballylanders), Meabh McCarthy, Megan O’Shea, Orlaith O’Donoghue, Sarah O’Sullivan, Louise Ryan (all St Brigids), Amy Ryan, Karen O’Dwyer, Kathleen Fitzgibbon, Siobhan Moloney (all Oola), Ava Hartigan, Cloda Kirby (both Knockainey), Grainne Cronin, Shelly Walsh (both Galtee Gaels), Kristine Reidy, Loretta Hanley (both Feohanagh-Castlemahon), Kate Geary (Adare), Catriona Davis (Monagea), Roisín Ambrose (Old Mill), Siofra Keane (Ahane).

Listen to the interview in full below.