Kilkenny will test Limerick’s virtue

We have been well warned in previous years about the swings and roundabouts of the National League where in many cases short-term form seems to be governed by reaction to a previous performance. In other cases short-term form is often shown to be an illusion. It is not hard to imagine that we were closer to the latter last Saturday.

Limerick’s dominance did not look like something that was a one-off, a defeat to be glibly labelled ‘one-of-those-days’ or ‘a-bad-day-at-the-office’. It remains February whether we win or lose and perhaps both imposters should be treated the same. Nonetheless it was difficult not to conclude that Limerick are beginning to hit the perfect storm with a blend of youth, ambition, and physical presence.

Limerick’s game against Kilkenny in Nowlan Park will be instructive. This is a game where the hosts always provide great test of honesty and resolve by bringing bucket-loads of their own irrespective of their line-out. The Shannonsiders look well equipped to thrive in such surroundings and it will add to their bank of experience – maybe the one area where, understandably, they are lacking. With a productive spring under their belts they promise to be formidable on summer days.

The jury remains out on our own prospects in that regard though calm dispositions would suggest that early February is no time for calling verdicts anyway. Before last Saturday’s game Derek McGrath plumped for Limerick before adding the rider that Tipperary would avenge that on 16 June. That remains to be seen, but for what it’s worth at this remove it is worth mentioning that it will the last game of the round-robin. For better or for worse it might not be a significant game by that stage.

 

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