Sheedy, Callanan and Maher say Limerick is ‘sole focus’ as the sides prepare for Sunday

This Sunday, Limerick and Tipp will meet in the Munster HUrling semi final.

Tipp received a bye to this stage and will be making their championship bow in 2020 while Limerick had 10 points to spare over Clare last weekend in Thurles.

These sides last met in the 2019 Munster final where Limerick won out 2-26 to 2-14 in the LIT Gaelic Grounds.

However, Tipp would go on to win the All-Ireland final as Limerick fell in the semis.

And ahead of the game, Sheedy knows his side will have to be at their best to avenge the Munster final drubbing in the Gaelic Grounds in 2019.

“I do think we have that adaptability in the squad and I couldn’t speak highly enough of the lads behaviour over the past few weeks in the way they have gone about their business to be in peak performance come the semi-final, because we know if we are not in that peak performance mode, we will have no chance of making it to the Munster final.”

The Portroe man also acknowledged the difficulty of winning ths year’s championship with the team who will come out on top, to do so on merit.

“Whoever comes out on top of the 2020 championship, all going well and it proceeds in a safe manner, will be the best team because you have to take down a number of teams and there are some serious teams, I don’t think the competition has ever been higher. It’s a really focused period where you have to peak week in week out.”

Current Hurler of the Year Seamus Callanan will lead his side into Pairc Ui Chaoimh on Sunday with the only focus a place in the Munster final a fortnight from Sunday.

“As any year goes, its all to play for and it may sound like a cliché. It seems like so long ago since we won the All-Ireland final. It’s the end goal for everyone but for us now, the step is to get to the Munster final and that’s the sole focus.

“Going through the back door is not something we will be thinking about. It’s a situation you will only think about if unfortunately you are put in that situation. We are going out to in and that’s how we approach every game. We are not thinking about a crutch to fall back on in case anything else happens. Every team is going to be the same.

“It is going to be tough, week on week, whichever way it goes but look it’s something to look forward to. A coupe of months ago we didn’t think we would have any hurling.  We are in a situation where we are a couple of days out from a game and it’s a good place to be.”

Limerick will come into the game with a win onder their belt while it will be a season debut for Tipp.

But for Callanan, they can only ‘control the controllables’.

“Whatever conditions come at you on the day, you have to be in the right position and the mindset. You have to have your mind and your body ready for whatever will be thrown at you. Whether it’s the sliotar or the lights or no crowd, you have to be in the right mindset to deal with these things. Its something you will have prepared for, its strange times but you have to control the controllables.”

And for four-time All Star Paudie Maher, the chance to play the intercounty championship will not go lost on the team who wondered would there be a championship at all.

“It’s great, it was good to get going with the club championship and now looking ahead to the 1^st of November. Lads need to get that bank of training in, get things right again. Its another step up from club championship so we need to be preparing to the best of our abilities. It’s exciting times ahead and all going well it will be all systems go on the 1^st of November.”

Limerick play Tipperary in the Munster Senior Hurling Championship semi-final this Sunday in Pairc Ui Chaoimh at 4pm.