Opening day victory a much needed tonic for footballers

LIMERICK’S hurlers continued their upward curve with a three point win over Wexford but it was the footballers victory in London that is arguably a bigger victory. Limerick hurling is riding on a wave since last August and that wave shows no sign of abating after the impressive win over Davy Fitzgerald’s Model County.

Limerick football needed their victory more. It’s been a tough time for the big ball in the county since the halcyon days of the early 00’s and Billy Lee’s job gets harder year on year as players continue to make themselves unavailable for selection. A one point winning margin over London may not make huge headlines around the country, but it could give his committed panel of players a big boost heading into a home game against Waterford this weekend in Newcastle West.

The footballers’ solitary victory in the 2018 Allianz Football League Division 4 came against Waterford and Lee will be desperate to maintain a 100% record against a team that will be on a similar or lesser level.

Football is the forgotten family member a lot of the time in Limerick GAA and those who promote the game (often thanklessly) deserve great credit. Positive steps were taken by the Football Board last week with the confirmation of a rebranding. Former inter county stars Stephen Lavin, Seanie Buckley and Pa Ranahan have taken up new roles within the committee – three men with the absolute betterment of Limerick football at their core.

Elsewhere, John Ryan’s Ladies Football team get their Lidl National League campaign up and running with a home game against Louth. Limerick beat Louth in last year’s Junior All-Ireland and will be hoping to get their Division 4 season off to a winning start.