by Daragh Ó Conchúir
LIMERICK captain Karen O’Leary has insisted that they don’t fear any opposition and a change of management before the commencement of the Liberty Insurance All-Ireland Senior Camogie Championship will be no excuse for not getting positive results.
John Tuohy stood down after a National League campaign that concluded with them reaching a third consecutive Semi-Final under his mentorship.
Declan Nash came in and brought the Galway managerial duo from last year, Mark Dunne and Niall Corcoran with him.
Limerick suffered a 13-point defeat to League champions Kilkenny in their opening Group 1 clash in Bruff on June 9th but kept their hopes of a knockout berth alive when Niamh Mulcahy provided a late equaliser to snatch a share of the spoils against neighbours Clare in Sixmilebridge the following week.
Refreshed from a two-week break, they now welcome high-scoring Galway to Bruff.
“We are always a close team, together as girls, everyone is best friends” O’Leary explains. “New management wasn’t going to change that.
“They brought plenty of skill and professionalism, and that’s all we can ask for. I can’t fault the boys in any way, they’re brilliant. They’ve given everything we’ve asked for and it shows out on the pitch. Everyone dies for each other and we’ll continue to do that.
“The boys have driven into to us we’re as good as the teams out there. Sometimes we lack a bit of cuteness, they’re trying to drill that in. The more matches we play together, the more confidence we get.
“I know the girls in the dressing room, they don’t care who they’re playing. They just want to go out and win.
“Kilkenny was a tough start, but that made us stronger going out. Galway are a super team but we’re not gonna focus on them, we’re gonna focus on the performance and if we focus on the performance, the result will look after itself.
“There’s nothing between the teams, it goes down to who works harder, who gets the better of their marker… Go out and win by a point, that’s the aim every day.”
Saturday June 30th
Liberty Insurance All-Ireland Senior Championship Group 1
Limerick v Galway, Bruff GAA @ 5pm
Waterford v Kilkenny, Walsh Park @ 5pm
Liberty Insurance All-Ireland Intermediate Championship Group 1
Antrim v Galway, Portglenone GAA @ 5pm
Kildare v Kilkenny, Hawkfield Kildare GAA Centre of Excellence @ 5pm
Tipperary v Westmeath, The Ragg @ 5pm