DAUNTING FEARS of Limerick's past hurling championship hoodoos revisiting them this summer, fairly occupied the thoughts of their manager Tom Ryan yesterday.
Three key players, Joe Quaid, Ciaran Carey and Mark Foley, who have already been ruled out of Sunday's National Hurling League tie with Galway, are also extremely doubtful for the first round championship tie with Waterford on May 25th.
"Without injuries we would be flying. Here in Limerick we haven't got an abundance of inter-county class players so, when your key players fall out, you are in serious trouble," says Ryan.
The fact that Foley and Carey were injured in club fare must be all the more galling for Ryan. The Ballybrown man's well-documented objections to too much playing pressure being hoisted on his players at this time of year, have been seen to be proven correct.
But instead of pointing the finger at the county board programme planners, he suffices to say: "The concentration of important matches for club and county, which is even more demanding now with the League running into the summer, is just too much for the players. I was very disappointed last night to see the condition of Mark (Foley). He got a nasty blow causing teeth and gum damage last Sunday. He had an emergency operation at the dentist on Sunday evening and is all wired up at this stage.
Carey, whose winning point in last year's Munster final proved the defining moment of the championship, picked up a groin injury in a club match just as his ankle strain was mending.
"The three of them are looking very doubtful for the championship," rues Ryan.
Limerick open in defence of their Munster title against Waterford on Sunday fortnight.
"Nevertheless, we are progressing well, although we realise that the blend we are looking for in attack is not coming together for us at this stage. However, we are still looking," said Ryan.
Gary Kirby's siting in the left corner of attack for Sunday's game is, according to Ryan, very much in the order of things towards this end.
The Offaly manager, John McIntyre, has his own problems ahead of Sunday's League clash with Laois in Tullamore. So much so that he has deferred naming his side until this evening.
Daithi Regan damaged a calf muscle in training on Wednesday night and cannot be considered. Already Michael Duignan, Kevin Martin, Joe Errity and Joe and Billy Dooley are doubtful due to injuries.
Waterford's Tony Browne has been given a one-month suspension arising from his sending off against Dublin in the League tie at Walsh Park last Sunday week. He will be eligible to play in the championship on May 25th against Limerick.
Waterford boss Gerald McCarthy makes five changes - one enforced by Browne's suspension - from the side that lost to Dublin, for Sunday's important clash with Westmeath. Missing this time will be Brian Green, Tom Fives, Michael White, Barry Walsh and Browne.
Stephen Frampton makes his return to the half back line this time in place of Browne on the right wing. Fergal Hartley, Dave Bennett and Peter Queally, who were introduced as substitutes in the Dublin match, are retained, with Ballygunner's Paul Power getting his chance on the left wing of attack.
Dublin manager Michael O'Grady was waiting on fitness reports last night on Eamonn Morrissey and full back Sean Power, ahead of Sunday's match with Ant rim in Parnell Park.
Definitely out is Colin Featherstone, who is suffering from a wrist injury. The St Vincent's six-footer, who netted two against Waterford on his debut, is replaced at full forward by Damien Hernon.
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