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Limerick's Seanie Tobin INPHO/James Crombie
Recovery

Limerick hopeful attacking duo Tobin and Downes will be fit for Clare clash

John Allen’s side meet Davy Fitzgerald’s team in Sunday week’s All-Ireland hurling semi-final in Croke Park.

LIMERICK ARE CONFIDENT that attackers Seanie Tobin and Kevin Downes will be fit for Sunday week’s All-Ireland hurling semi-final against Clare.

The pair have been battling injuries since the county’s Munster final win over Cork with Tobin having fractured his metatarsal in that game while Downes broke his toe in training after that game.

Both Tobin and Downes missed championship ties with their respective clubs Murroe-Boher and Na Piarsaigh last weekend.

Yet they are making progress in their recovery with teammate Seamus Hickey, a clubmate of Tobin’s, revealing that both are in a positive state.

“Seanie is making progress. Himself and Kevin are our boys who are in very similar situations, they are making very positive progress, which is great.

“The feedback is positive. We were disappointed to miss Seanie with the club on Friday night. He had a fracture in his metatarsal and tore ligaments attached to it.

“It was one of those things where he has been going over on his ankle so many times and this was one too many. The ligaments I think caused the fracture of the metatarsal.

“The club game came too quick for him. His recovery was kind of a four-week thing, the club game came within three so it was a pity. I’d know Seanie’s situation because I am talking to him nearly every day and he is very positive about it.

“With Kevin, that was an innocuous training thing. It happens, unfortunately. Again, the prognosis is good, they’re doing everything they are told.

“They are coming out of their protective boots this week and then they have a week then to prove themselves for a place on the team.”

Kevin Downes
Pic: INPHO/Lorraine O’Sullivan

Tobin has started in Limerick’s two games to date and grabbed a goal against Tipperary in their semi-final while Downes has come off the bench to make a major impact on the provincial stage this summer.

Hickey admits the breadth of Limerick’s attacking options have been key to their progress this year.

“I was asked a couple of times about what’s the difference between us this year and previous years and I suppose it is the depth of talent we have. I am playing on the most competitive line on the field, it’s ridiculous. There are about six of us for the half-forward line.

“I have no doubt that if or when I am taken off in a game I know the fella coming on is just as good as me. There is no question. We push it on very, very well in training.”

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