2025 marks the diamond anniversary of Fairview Rangers becoming the first Limerick side to win the FAI Junior Cup.
Brave earlier attempts by Pike Rovers (1948) and Caldedonians (1949) both came up just short against St Paul’s and Rathfarnam, both of Dublin, respectively.
However, Fairview made the historic breakthrough in 1965.
En route to the final, the Blues beat Island United, Hibernians of Cork (at Healy’s Field), St Michael’s (Tipperary), Pike Rovers, University College Galway, Tullamore (Offaly), and Dublin’s Killester United.
Douglas of Cork provided the opposition in the decider at Turners Cross, which ended 1-1, with the Fariview goal courtesy of Seán O’Connor.
In front of a huge attendance at the replayed final at the Markets Field, the Limerick flag-bearers were easy 3-0 winners, with goals from Gerry Power and Seamus McCarthy (2).
All those years ago, Fairvew – under the joint management of Martin Cowhey and Seán Lipper – also won the prized Munster Junior Cup, beating Ringmahon Rangers of Cork in a replayed contest on Leeside.
The Fairview squad of ‘65 was: Michael O’Connell, Michael O’Dwyer, Tony Meehan, George Hehir, Eamon Heffernan, Gerry Power, Seamus McCarthy, Pat O’Dwyer, Seán Byrnes (captain), Pa Ryan, Seán O’Connor, Eamon Dillon, Seamus Gorey, John Eades, Mike Shortt, Olly Dean, Paddy Furlong, John O’Connell, Mike O’Dwyer.
Interestingly, Byrnes entered the history books six years later when part of the Limerick United side that captured the FAI Senior Cup, thus becoming the only local to win both Junior and Senior medals at national level.
It was over 30 years on from ‘65 before Fairview were back as champions.
In a final of few chances, John Whyte scored the only goal between Fairview and Portmarnock at Dalymount Park.
Colin Fleming was unbeatable in the Fairview goal, while Jason Purcell stylishly skippered the team.
It was the beginning of the memorable ‘Three-in-a-Row’ in the FAI Junior Cup for Dermot Finnan’s trailblazers.
For the record, Fairview Rangers have won the Junior Cup a record nine times.
