Limerick boss identifies one legend he’d take out of retirement in charity game
The 14th edition of the Hurling for Cancer Research took place on Monday at Netwatch Cullen Park in Carlow, with an array of inter-county plaers, past and present, taking part.
It drew an impressive crowd, and added to the €1.66m raised throughout the years, with stars such as Rachel Blackmore, Bernard Dunne, Marty Morrissey, Niall Quinn, and Jarlath Regan taking part as selectors, commentators, side-line officials, umpires and maor uisce.
Managing Jim Bolger’s Stars was former All-Ireland winning Wexford boss Liam Griffin and current Limerick manager John Kiely.
Speaking with SportsJOE at the event, Kiely gave further insight into the cause and what makes the meet up so special.
He said: “Well, I think it’s just coming together of the hurling all over the country for this one particular cause. Cancer, you know, it covers every county. It doesn’t leave anybody out, I’m afraid. So we’ve all come together tonight.
“For the players to give up their time, and they’re the middle of their club championship. So for them to give up the time tonight is a big thing for them.
“A lot of championship matches this weekend and next week, and I just think it’s a great chance for the kids to get to meet the players as well from all different counties in the one evening and they don’t get too many opportunities to do that. So this is special for the kids as well.
“And hopefully some well deserved funds raised for cancer research.”
Asked which player on the pitch he’d take for his Limerick side, Kiely named Tipperary legend Brendan Cummins.
On the the two-time All-Ireland winner, he added: “Brendan Cummins is going to be sharp before the night’s out because he’s actually had to make a lot of saves. The boys are peppering him there in goals. I think they’re really enjoying having a good cut off him.
“To be fair, they’re all looking very sharp and I think they’re probably at their peak now with the club championships.”
Sports Joe
