Gaelic Games Football Qualifiers: Gavin Cummiskey talks to Limerick manager Liam Kearns, who, despite the disappointment of losing the Munster final to Kerry, believes his side have the capability to defeat Derry on Saturday

Limerick seem unable to catch a break. Twice they had Kerry on the rack in the Munster final only to falter but instead of being rewarded for swelling the GAA coffers with a valuable replay they are sent back out to face a ravenous Derry on Saturday.

That's three games in 13 days, ironically the amount of time off defeated provincial finalists are supposed to get before their fourth-round tie. Manager Liam Kearns is keenly aware the focus must switch now to Derry but he still can't get over the perceived injustice of it all.

"Of course it will effect us; six days' recovery after a Munster football final is not enough. It's the same scenario as last year. We were entitled to two weeks while instead we are being punished for drawing the Munster final. This will be our third really tough game in three weekends, it has to take its toll."

At least they don't have to face Armagh again although they are returning to Dr Hyde Park, the scene of last year's exit at the hands of a Stephen McDonnell hat-trick in the rain.

Derry may be on a roll (after turning over Cavan and Wexford) but Kearns still believes Limerick have the capabilities to overcome Mickey Moran's rejuvenated outfit. Limerick have a decent record already in 2004 by making the National League semi-final and Munster final.

"We'll see on Saturday if we are to beat ourselves," continued Kearns "If we play to our normal level I think we'll be alright. It's different from last year as we have a stronger panel. Extra players like Johnny McCarthy, Steven Lavin at wing back and Eoin Keating in the forwards that we didn't have before. We've more depth and the experience of Division One."

It's also a panel that has benefited from hurling manager Pad Joe Whelahan's refusal to pick dual players. Limerick is a county that has the attributes to make a major breakthrough in football. Last Sunday's disappointment went close to the bone but the players have by no means disappointed their manager.

"I wanted to win Munster to be honest but the goals at the start of the year were to retain our Division One status, and we did more than that, and get back to a Munster final. They fulfilled those goals but now they we must get over Saturday."

The time factor can hinder preparations. Kearns spent one month hatching the downfall of Kerry, only to fail with victory so close. Six days will never be enough to rid the pain.

Their best chance of a Munster crown may have passed; Kerry will improve next year, while Cork can hardly get any worse thus leaving the drawn match in the nightmare area for many a year.

"We had a big chance in both games, leading 1-6 to two points was a great opportunity last week. Kerry have not received such a football lesson in their own back yard for a long time. We lost concentration for the (Eoin) Brosnan goal and then there was that dubious penalty (Tommy Stack's innocuous push on Colm Cooper).

"We just didn't get the breaks but the penalty; it was nothing. I've never seen anything like it. If you ask the Kerry players they will tell you they were poxed to be back in it," states the Kerry man.

Kearns feels the best method of recovery was to tell his players to do nothing. They have come too far not to be trusted with their own well-being. After a pool session earlier in the week that was it - "No point in flogging a dead horse." Tomorrow they will meet and travel to Roscommon for a kick around on the Dr Hyde Park surface.

Kearns believes his side are well capable of beating Derry and fears none of the waiting opposition in the quarter-finals, vitally with two weeks' rest beforehand. All he lacks is a crystal ball that will show him how his side will react to the weekend's onslaught.

"It's all mental now, physically they are fine and able to perform. I won't know until halfway through the second half whether they have it in them, in the legs, when the pressure really comes. There is a fair character in them and they are tough but we'll have to see."

The test of a battle-weary Limerick's mettle will be revealed on Saturday. The fixture scenario may not be fair but overcoming it would be a sight to behold. Don't expect any pretty football as grit is what counts now.