Limerick’s footballing odyssey for 2010 finally came to an end at the Gaelic Grounds on Saturday evening when they lost to Cork after extra time by 0-16 to 1-11.
And, as we filed slowly back along the Ennis Road and into the city after the game, we cursed our luck and a couple of very poor refereeing decisions that probably cost us a famous victory and a place in the quarter finals at Croke Park this weekend.
However, on mature refection (as the late Brian Lenihan used to say) this might be a simplistic view and one not necessarily shared by most of the players.
Every team has the occasional bad decision given against them, and Lady Luck can be fickle at the best of times. Most good teams can rise above these setbacks and concentrate on the job of winning. Other teams develop a persecution complex and begin to imagine that they are destined never to win anything.
Limerick was denied a legitimate penalty on Saturday when John Galvin was hauled down in the square. TV replays confirm this. Seanie Buckley then drove through the Cork defence and unleashed a pile-driver that crashed off the crossbar before Ian Ryan struck an upright with what seemed a certain point.
This was a tally of 7 points gone a begging. Would it have been enough? We will never know.
But fair play to Limerick. They put these early misfortunes behind them and never gave up the ghost and stayed with Cork right to the end.
However, what was lacking was a few cool heads in a crisis, and the ability to take those vital scores at the business end of the game. They had the same problem against Kerry in the Munster final when they came back from the dead and were level with just eight minutes to go, but then kicked some woeful wides. And the previous year against Cork, they lost by a point after playing them off the park, and went down by a similar score against Meath in the qualifiers. There would appear to be a definite pattern here.
Limerick have played the All Ireland champions, Kerry and the National League champions, Cork in the past three weeks, and there was only the kick of a ball between the sides in both matches. No other county in Ireland has had faced such a difficult fixture list.
And OK, so they didn’t win – but they certainly did their town and county proud. Well done to all concerned.
*The last time that Limerick won the senior All Ireland title, Queen Victoria was still on the throne of England and, if relationships between our two countries had been a bit better, she might even have been invited to throw in the ball for the final.
But now that relationships have improved amid rumours that Queen Elizabeth may make a state visit to our shores next year, what are the odds of Lizzie throwing in the ball in Croke Park for a Limerick V Kerry All Ireland final on the third Sunday in September?
“There isn’t a hope in hell of that happening!” I hear you howl in derision
“Why not?” I reply. “Is it so that you think that Limerick aren’t good enough to reach the All Ireland final next year?”
Oh ye of little faith.
*The All Ireland quarter-finals take place in Croke Park at the weekend. Kerry play Down on Saturday followed by Dublin V Tyrone. And on Sunday Cork face Roscommon while Meath play Kildare.
Kerry are now 6/4 favourites with Cork at 2/1. (We really COULD and SHOULD have beaten both of them!) Other prices are Tyrone 7/2, Meath 12/1, Dublin 14/1, Kildare 14/1, Down 25/1, Roscommon 100/1.
GALWAY RACES
The festival meeting in Galway is on at the moment, and an army of Abbeyfeale punters have travelled west of the Shannon to invade the rich lands of Connaught and engage in a bit of plunder and pillage. However, the campaign is going badly for them and urgent despatches are being sent back, requesting more ammunition. These requests have so far fallen on deaf ears
NORTH KERRY/WEST LIMERICK FINE GAEL
Enda Kenny, TD and Leader of Fine Gael will be attending a Jamboree/Barbecue in O’Riada’s Bar, Castleisland Road, Ballymacelligott, Tralee on Friday, July 30 at 8pm. Food will be served from 9-10.30pm. This is a free event and everyone is welcome.
SUMMER BANK HOLIDAY HOOLEY
The West Limerick 102fm Bank Holiday Hooley takes place at the Devon Inn on Monday, August 2 with music by Kate Sheerin and her band, Norman Borland, Simon Donnegan and Mike Condon. Dancing from 10-1. Admission €10. Your kind support is requested.
PILGRIMAGES
The final pilgrimage of the year takes place from August 13-15, bookings Peg 068 31232.
A bus will travel from Tralee to Knock on Monday, August 9 leaving Tralee at 7am for the visit of Sr. Briege McKenna. Contact: O’Shea’s at 7180123 or Donal Kelliher at 7124519 to book a seat. A bus will leave Abbeyfeale on Wednesday, August 18 for the Novena. Contact Peg on 068 31232 for further details.
COURSING
All members are asked to attend a meeting at the Club Grounds on this Thursday, July 29th at 8pm and also to attend at the Grounds on Bank Holiday Monday at 11am for field duties. Those members who are domiciled in New York, London and Bahrain are excused attendance on this occasion.
RUGBY
Lotto: There was no jackpot winner in the weekly draw, which took place on Monday Night, July 26th at the Cellar Bar. Winning numbers were 13 21 26 30. This week’s Jackpot now increases to €5,850. There were 5 lucky dips of €25 each going to Pat McEnery Kilconlea Lower, Gerry Griffin Woodford Listowel, Doreen McEnery Abbeyfeale, Bridget Flaherty Knocknasna, and Tady O’Donoghue Ballaugh Abbeyfeale.
Promoter’s prize goes to Liam McEnery
Next Draw takes place Tuesday Night August 3rd at the Rugby Club so please make sure to purchase your ticket to be in with a chance! Tickets are available from local ticket sellers and outlets.
Girls Rugby Summer Camp Under 13’s to Under 17’s on August 10th to August 13th at the Rugby Club . Munster Girls Coach Amanda Greensmith in attendance. And Munster Girls senior player attending on the last day. Contact John Moloney on 086 2221736 or Nuala at the rugby club between 9am to 1pm on 068 30665 for details. Disco Underage Rugby Club disco on Friday Night August 13th at the grove
GAA
West Minor County Championship; Fr. Casey’s V Killmallock – Friday 6th August, 7.00pm in Killmallock. Senior County Championship Fr. Casey’s V Pallasgreen – weekend of 8th August. (time & venue to be arranged).
Results; Senior County League. Fr. Casey’s 0-12, Newcastle West 0-07. Minor County Championship; Fr. Casey’s 3-09, Mungret 1-06

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