Limerick hurlers receive a massive boost as star forward set to return

Huge boost for the coming months.

Although Limerick are effectively out of the running for promotion to Division 1A of the Allianz National Hurling League (bar any capitulation from Wexford), fans will be buoyed by the return of one of their most prolific forwards. Limerick lost out to Wexford in the opening league fixture, with the Model county's subsequent win over Galway leaving Davy Fitzgerald's men as the favourites to gain promotion. Disappointment for Limerick, as they are resigned to yet another season in the league's second tier but again, they still have the aim of achieving a league quarter-final and the opportunity to test themselves against higher quality opposition ahead of their Munster Championship opener against neighbours Clare on June 4. That match is the ultimate target for John Kiely's side and the return of All-Star winning forward, Shane Dowling, will give the Treaty County a huge boost as they aim to reach another Munster final. The Limerick Leader reports that Dowling is back in full training but that this weekend's clash with Offaly may come too soon for the Na Piarsiagh club man. Dowling hasn't yet featured in any of Limerick's fixtures under new manager Kiely after suffering from illness in January but he has featured for his club in recent weeks. In other news, Tom Condon and Sean Finn are both back in training with Gavin O'Mahony set to be out for another two weeks with a broken bone in his hand.