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Limerick's Bobby O'Brien. INPHO/Lorraine O'Sullivan
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The journey from Aberdeen and London to play in Gaelic Grounds tonight

You can’t fault the commitment of Bobby O’Brien and Seamus O’Carroll to their county.

WHEN LIMERICK MANAGER Maurice Horan gathers his squad ahead of tonight’s Munster quarter-final against Cork, he can’t fault the efforts that have been made by two of his players in particular this season.

Horan has handed a starting championship debut to midfielder Bobby O’Brien, which is all the more striking because O’Brien has been studying in Aberdeen this year.

He was also based in Fort William in the Scottish Highlands for a spell on a work placement. But O’Brien travelled home throughout the spring for games, getting a train from Aberdeen to Edinburgh and a flight from there to Shannon.

“Bobby finished up his degree in radiography this year in Aberdeen,” says Horan. “He’s back now but what he did during the league was just amazing.

“He did fabulous to stick to the training programme that was provided for him by our conditioning trainer Andy O’Neill. Andy had him doing the right stuff obviously because he didn’t look out of place when it came to the matches.

“Bobby does his running sessions on his own, then he’s a couple of mates over there that he can kick a ball with as well. He would have played with the college team (Robert Gordon University) as well. I think he was the actual trainer of the team himself for a couple years so he might have tailored the training to help himself.

“He’s been there on and off the senior scene in recent years. Been over there hindered his progress the last couple years. He came on in the qualifiers for us last year. He decided this year he’d really try to make a go of it. It wasn’t easy for him with the journey’s he’s done to get there but he’s been brilliant.”

Limerick’s Seamus O’Carroll.
Pic: INPHO/Lorraine O’Sullivan

Seamus O’Carroll

Seamus O’Carroll will be a substitute tonight but after making a valuable contribution in attack in the Division 4 league final against Offaly when he was brought on, he is likely to see action at some stage.

The forward has been commuting from London this year where he is based as an engineer.

“He’s more or less been a starter the last few years for us,” reveals Horan. “He had to go abroad to seek employment. He’s an engineer and there aren’t too many jobs here. Hopefully it’ll start picking up in some way soon enough.

“He was back home last week on a week’s break and was able to get a full week’s training in then. He gives us a great option in attack and strengthens us with Ian (Ryan) out. He’s transferred to the Parnell’s club. He’s getting regular training over there and he keeps himself in shape anyway.

“Seamus obviously plays handball and was a world champion underage. So he’d look after himself and follow the programme as well. He’s trained solidly with us for the last three years so he’s a good fitness base. You have to trust the two of them. They’re very good fellas.”

Limerick manager Maurice Horan.
Pic: INPHO/Donall Farmer

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