Limerick's Maurice O'Brien races clear of Wexford's Barry Lambert, left, and Diarmuid Lyng. Limerick v Wexford, All-Ireland U-21 Hurling Final, Semple Stadium, Thurles.

By Martin Crummy

VISIONS of little or no Limerick support in either Semple Stadium or Pairc Ui Chaoimh on 20 June are becoming more and more realistic by the day.

The Limerick hurlers are on a hiding to nothing in the 2010 Hurling Championships and the repercussions will be felt not just this season, but in seasons to come. 

Already the grass level support in the game is fading. Young players are not really bothered about going to see Justin McCarthy’s charges in senior action.  They are still playing their own games, but have no appetite to see their county team put to the sword.

For the few Limerick supporters in Parnell Park for their counties final league game, it was a harrowing trip.

Many left in the middle of the second half when Dublin were scoring goals instead of points. Those who stayed, feared the worst for their June Championship encounter against the winners of Cork or Tipperary. 

That’s where the fear comes from, that after another beating and the expected beating that either Cork or Tipp will dish out – why would the Limerick supporters travel?

None of this means that Justin McCarthy will stand down anytime soon – he has the backing of the county board and executive.  

He will stay until his contract runs out at the end of the season.  He is sticking by his guns – rightly or wrongly. 

Without a return of a chunk of the departed 2009 panel, Limerick are unfortunately facing their biggest wipe-out in the 126-year history of the Championship.

When you factor in the success of the Limerick footballers winning a title in Croke Park, there appears to be a definite swing in the county.

Micky Ned O’Sullivan is leading the football revolution, with their first national football title in 114 years secured against Waterford in the Division Four final.

It meant a lot to the team, to the 11 man strong management team and most importantly the under-fire county board. 

The contrast between the hurlers, hammered by Dublin and the footballers winning in Croke Park could not be more stark.

One man that can show some sort of understanding to the situation – despite being outside the county is Dublin hurler – Maurice O’Brien. 

Only three years ago O’Brien lined-out with Limerick in a 0-22 to 1-15 defeat of Dublin, but this time around featured prominently for his adopted county in walloping the visitors. 

O’Brien switched from Garryspillane to Faughs in Dublin’s Templeogue in January of last year, after living in the city for a couple of years.  He has been a regular in Anthony Daly’s team since his move. 

O’Brien togged out for the Dubs in their league loss to Limerick last year.  He was there again for the narrow All-Ireland Senior Championship defeat to the Treaty County, but things have changed hugely since last summer. 

“It’s very sad to see this sort of a result for Limerick,” he said. 

“Overall it is most disappointing for the county.  I would have hurled with a lot of those players now out of the fray and I feel for them in that their careers appear to have been ended far too soon. 

“From my perspective, my role is now with Dublin and I’m very pleased to have been part of the two wins this league (the other against Tipperary). 

“On the day we had our own job to do. We needed to win, or at least draw, to keep our Division One status and that was our goal. Many times during the league we came within two or three points of winning but weren’t able to deliver the killer punch. 

“Staying in Division One and this big win will give us every confidence ahead of the Leinster Championship.” 

O’Brien speaks from the heart when talking about his native county – but even he can’t hide the deep trouble the hurlers are in. 

The footballers however are in a totally different position and their stock continues to rise.

Certainly O’Sullivan is keen to make the county about one thing this summer – football.

“This is great recognition for everyone in the county – from grass roots level up.  It is good for the County Board as well – who have got a lot of stick,” said the football manager. 

“Every opportunity – they have given us all the support, there is no difference between hurling and football. It is not a football county – hopefully we will make it a football county.”

And maybe O’Sullivan could get his wish this summer.  The supporters could soon switch their allegiances to a more successful football outfit, if and when the hurlers fall hard on the summer turf.