It says something for the work being done in Limerick that they have two teams in All-Ireland finals this year. Credit to Carlow too, who won the junior B title in 2012 and have also experienced major success by virtue of Myshall’s dominance in the junior club championship over the past two years writes Daragh O'Conchuir.
The Shannonsiders went into the championship on a high, having won the Division 4 league, while Carlow have done well to put a very difficult Division 3 campaign to one side. They have been the best two teams in the competition, topping their respective groups and then coming through their semi-finals, although with varying degrees of difficulty.
Ciara Quirke ran riot when Myshall won their second consecutive All-Ireland last November, scoring 2-7. A member of an esteemed and very well known GAA family in Carlow, she is a vital player for the county team too and scored two goals in the semi-final win over Offaly.
Eileen Murphy also poached a brace in a performance that was at a very high level. A repeat of this type of brilliance would make them very hard to beat.For their part, Limerick had five points to spare over Kerry in the penultimate round. They have been training with the intermediates and that has been an obvious benefit as they battle for places in another squad that is just an hour away from garnering the ultimate reward.
While the team is managed by Ger Curtin, intermediate boss Joe Quaid is involved as a selector.The influence of Muireann Creamer, Noreen Barry and Caitrín de Bhál will have to be reduced if Limerick are to be denied a hold of the Nancy Murray Cup on their first final appearance at this level.
Liberty Insurance Junior A Final
Limerick v Carlow, Moneygall, Sunday August 24th, 2.30pm
