LIMERICK have an opportunity to bridge a gap of almost two lifetimes with victory over Kildare in the Tailteann Cup final at Croke Park on Saturday (throw-in 2.30pm. Referee: Liam Devenney, Mayo).
It will be followed by Kerry v Tyrone (5pm) in the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship semi-final.
It’s many moons ago now that the Shannonsiders last enjoyed national football championship success, courtesy of an All-Ireland win in 1896: Limerick (Commercials) 1-5, Dublin (Metropolitan Young Irelanders) 0-7 at Jones’ Road, a site – gifted to the sport by Frank Dinneen of Ballylanders – which has since been developed into what is now the world-class headquarters of the GAA.
The triumphant Commercials captain was Con Fitzgerald of Glin.
That victory followed on from the landmark success over Louth in the first ever final (1887).
Now, Jimmy Lee’s remarkable side are within touching distance of annexing the second-tier of the All-Ireland Senior Championship, and with it a golden ticket into the group stages of the 2026 series proper.
However, questionable 2/7 favourites Kildare – promoted to Division 2 for next season – stand in the path of serious, serious progression by this year’s Division 4 League champions.
Though beaten by Offaly in the League final, Brian Flanagan’s team bounced back well and have posted subsequent good wins in the Tailteann over Sligo, Leitrim, Tipperary, Offaly and Fermanagh.
The lead players for the Lilywhites are full-back Mark Dempsey, David Hyland at six, midfielders Kevin Feely (captain) and Brendan Gibbons, along with forwards Colm Dalton, Darragh Kirwan and Brian McLoughlin, Man of the Match with five points off the bench in the semi.
Limerick have come through to the decider following positive results against London (0-25 to 1-15), Antrim (1-18 to 1-10), Westmeath (0-19 to 0-18), Wexford (4-21 to 2-19) and Wicklow (2-18 to 1-17).
No fewer than 16 players have scored for Limerick in the campaign, headed up by James Naughton on a superb 0-29.
Other handsome scoring contributions have come from Danny Neville (3-9), Emmet Rigter (0-11) and Peter Nash (0-10), while the likes of Iain Corbett, Josh Ryan, Rob Childs and captain Cillian Fahy have chipped in with important scores.
And, there are so many other key performers for us, such as full-back Darren O’Doherty, Paul Maher, Jason Hassett, Tony McCarthy, Tommie Childs, Darragh O’Hagan, Killian Ryan, Darragh Murray, Rory O’Brien, Seán Clancy, Barry Coleman and Tadhg Ó Siochrú.
Boss Lee is ably supported by Michéal Cahill, Evan Talty, and Pa Ranahan.
Whatever this weekend’s outcome (and, a reminder it’s a ‘Winner on the Day’ scenario), a foreign break surely beckons for as passionate a group as has ever represented Limerick.
Verdict: A hopeful nod for determined Limerick.
