2025 marks the Golden Jublilee of a famous three-in-a-row in the Limerick Senior Hurling Championship by Kilmallock.
In more modern times, Adare (2007-’09), Patrickswell (1995-’97) have achieved this feat and it was also a major accomplishment by The Balbec in 1973-’75.
Winners over Killeedy (2-12 to 2-4) in ‘73, Kilmallock retained the title a year later with a slender 2-9 to 3-5 defeat of Patrickswell.
The final of ‘75 again brought together Kilmallock and Patrickswell to the Gaelic Grounds.
In a well-attended contest, refereed by Neily Duggan (Rathkeale), Kilmallock breezed home, 3-14 to 3-7.
That season’s top scorer was Paddy Kelly, 0-34.
Kilmallock: Tommy Hanley; John Fitzgerald, Domnic Hayes, captain, Nicholas Hayes; Mike Carroll, John McCarthy, Tony Moloney; Dan Connolly, Paddy Kelly; Johnny O’Riordan, Moss Finn, Dave O’Riordan; Bernie Savage, Mossy Dowling, Seán O’Donovan.
Patrickswell: Benny Nolan; John O’Brien, Tim Quaid, Tony O’Brien; Terence Murray, Richie Bennis, Phil Bennis; Leonard Enright, Domnic Punch, Peter Bennis; Seán Foley, Frankie Nolan; John Enright, Willie Fention, Joe Lynch.
Of the 30 clubs to have won the Championship, one of the more interesting winners is surely St Michael’s, a multi-code sports club back then but now known the world over for rowing, in 1895.
All those generations ago, over 20 teams participated, including strongholds such as Adare Desmonds, Ahane, Boher, Fedamore, Patrickswell and South Liberties, but lesser knowns such as Curraghchase Home Rulers, Smith O’Brien’s and Treaty Stone.
Played at Corkcanree on the Dock Road, Michael’s beat Boher 2-3 to 0-1 in the final.
Names linked to that team of 130 years ago were Stapleton, Ryan, Real, O’Dwyer, Hogan, O’Connor, Gleeson, O’Sullivan, McMahon, Kelly, O’Brien, O’Donoghue, Heath, McKnight, O’Driscoll and McNiece.
The captain was J ‘Burris’ Ryan.
Michaels’ are one of many clubs to have won the competition just once, the others being Doon (2024), Garryspillane (2005), Killeedy (1980), Feenagh Kilmeedy (1963), Castleconnell (1950), Ballingarry (1911), Sallymount (1900), Shamrocks (1898), Murroe Boher (1897) and Treaty Stones (1891).