Gaelic Games

Cregan ‘disappointed’ with the progress of Limerick players

Limerick legend insists only victory against Tipperary would be good enough for supporters

Eamonn Cregan, who was manager of Limerick Mary Immaculate this season. The former Limerick player and manager says he is “sick and tired” of moral victories – and states only a victory against Tipperary will be good enough for supporters. Photograph: Inpho
Eamonn Cregan, who was manager of Limerick Mary Immaculate this season. The former Limerick player and manager says he is “sick and tired” of moral victories – and states only a victory against Tipperary will be good enough for supporters. Photograph: Inpho
Thu Jun 06 2013 - 01:00

Limerick legend Eamonn Cregan has delivered a damning verdict on the county’s senior hurling team – insisting no progress is being made. But the 1973 All-Ireland medallist has backed John Allen’s team selection for Sunday’s Munster SHC semi-final against Tipperary at the Gaelic Grounds.

Allen has caused a stir by leaving Kevin Downes and Shane Dowling out of his starting line-up. Dowling scored 0-8 and Downes hit two points when the sides met last year in Thurles. But Cregan insists reputations count for nothing and he believes the team is not improving.

A frustrated Cregan says he is “sick and tired” of moral victories – and states that only a victory against Tipperary will be good enough for supporters. “I’m sick and tired of moral victories. We’ve had them for God knows how long. Limerick have to win – that’s the only acceptable thing for me and all of us supporting Limerick.”

Cregan insisted that the recent form shown by Downes and Dowling left Allen with no choice but to leave the pair off the team.

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He explained: “Shane Dowling had gone off form and was only a sub against Kilkenny in Martinstown. His form dipped and John Allen has always said to these players that once you’re on the team, you keep your place and if you’re not on, you have to fight your way back in.

“Downes has been hit and miss again this year and it’s unusual that the two are from the same club (Na Piarsaigh). It’s kind of a small surprise but you have to pick based on form. They don’t seem to be on form and reputations mean nothing.”

Cregan, who guided Mary Immaculate College to an historic Fitzgibbon Cup final appearance this year, added: “I’m disappointed with the progress of the present group of players. I’ll give you an example – we played Dublin in the Division 1B League final and we put Declan Hannon at full-forward. I’ve had Declan with Mary I and he’s a consummate hurler. I love watching him. People say he’s kinda lazy and he is laid back in that sense but we had him at full-forward and what did we do? We started going for long-range points. What’s the fuzzy thinking behind that? He’s in again next Sunday and needs proper ball.

“If I was full-forward on the Limerick team at the moment, I’d be frustrated because it takes so long for the damned ball to come in.”