Limerick's Barry Coleman pictured at the launch of the Tailteann Cup at Croke Park. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile
By Cian O’Connell
On the eve of the Tailteann Cup, Limerick’s Barry Coleman is relishing the upcoming schedule of matches.
Last year Limerick reached the quarter-final stage before being floored by a late Laois rally. That defeat hurt, but Coleman is hopeful that Limerick can generate confidence and momentum in the group stages.
“You get three guaranteed games, last year we got to the quarter-final, we were a bit disappointed,” Coleman says.
“This year we are hoping to get more games, to push on beyond the quarter-final, to a semi-final, and, I suppose everyone's aspiration at the end of the year, is to get to a final, to try to get a piece of silverware.
“It is definitely a great competition that way, in that you're not just gone straightaway, knocked out after the provincial championship.”
A demanding assignment awaits for Limerick away to Down at Páirc Esler on Saturday afternoon. “Even in the league we went up to Newry, the stadium, the crowd that was there for a league game, so I can't imagine what it will be like for a championship game,” Coleman says.
“Even the build up, the buzz around training, everyone is just looking forward to it. I know we are travelling up the road, but at the end of the day you don't care how far you've to travel for a game like that.”
Limerick have encountered difficulties in 2024 in the Allianz Football League and Munster Championship, but Coleman remains optimistic. “The league wasn't what we expected and we didn't perform to what we wanted,” he says.
“It can happen so fast, that momentum can change. In Championship anything can happen. At the end of the day any team can perform or any team can have a bad day.
Barry Coleman is a key performer for Limerick. Photo by Tom Beary/Sportsfile
“So, there is no point dwelling on the past, as regards our league results. We've already played Down and it didn't go our way, but that isn't to say this weekend won't go our way.”
Potential exists in Limerick according to Coleman. “Even for example Emmet Rigter - with the U20s, we have him in, we have four of our U20s in with us,” Coleman adds.
“That is the kind of stuff you need going forward to develop Limerick squads. There is no point just having the same fellas.
“I think over the last few years fellas have been brought in, who hadn't got a chance before - they're showing that they're good enough to be there. They just need to start believing that they are good enough.
“Nobody would really be there if they didn't believe that something wasn't building - there is potential. That is very important to know. We've lost a lot of players, that has been in the media a bit, but it shouldn't matter. What is there is there now. We're building on what we have there now and we're looking forward to the Tailteann Cup, to see can we perform in it.”
In recent years an increasing number of footballers in the county have made an impact at Sigerson Cup level. That is another positive sign. “It is important, John Hayes was playing with UL last year and this year, you have Cian Sheehan, James Naughton, and Colm McSweeney,” Coleman responds.
“They've played in the Sigerson and some of the lads have won in the Sigerson too. That all stands to you when you come into a set-up, you have fellas that have played with the best.
“John has played with David Clifford, stuff like that. They bring it into Limerick training and the set-up, it pushes everyone else on.”
Coleman’s respect for Limerick and the enduring contribution of the Lee brothers runs deep as they continue to work enthusiastically for the development of Limerick football. “They do, to be fair, between Billy, Jimmy, and Joe is involved underage,” Coleman says. “The amount of effort and time they put in, it is a credit to them.”