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REMINISCES
HARRY GREENMITH PRO Limerick Co Board
Limerick's highly acclaimed comeback and victory over Tipperary in the 1992 National Hurling League final at Limerick's Pairc na nGael, was not quite the milestone in the county's illustrious history, as one would naturally conclude in the heat and excitement of a one point victory over our long time rivals. True it was a magnificent fight back but it did not compare to the 1980 League Final, when Cork playing in Pairc Ui Chaoimh were caught in the closing minutes as Limerick fought back in a rip roaring game to make it 2-10 apiece. Limerick made a worthy contribution to a great hours hurling, and in the replay two weeks later, although beaten 4-15 to 4-6, they played their parts in a searing hours hurling, with the final tally not doing justice to their gallantry.
On May 12th 1953 John D Hickey writing in the Irish Independent described the previous days League Final at Croke Park which Wexford won at the expense of Limerick 5-7 to 4-8 as the greatest hurling game he had ever seen.
The President of Ireland, Erskine Childers viewing his first All Ireland hurling final, that of 1973 between Limerick and Kilkenny at Croke Park said:" This was the greatest game I've seen in my lifetime and I'm speaking of all games". Limerick reigned supreme on the day and bridged a thirty three year gap. In 1971 when Limerick beat Cork in the Munster semi-final at Thurles, 2-16 to 2-14, their first championship victory over the Rebel County in thirty one years. Limerick failed to Tipperary in the Final in rain drenched Killarney, but two years later at Thurles it was sweet revenge after Richie Bennis sent over he winning point in the last seconds. Limericks only All Ireland double was in 1940, when the minors beat Antrim 6-4 to 2-4 and the seniors captained by Mick Mackey beat Kilkenny 3-7 to 1-7. It was bicycles and ponies and traps for the 1944 Munster final at Thurles between Limerick and Cork. In an atmosphere that will probably never be repeated, Cork led 5-4 to 1-6 five minutes into the second half but the Shannonsiders struck back to take a two point lead with two minutes remaining. Johnny Quirke goaled for Cork, but Dick Stokes and Limerick had the last word with an equalizing point.
The replay was another crowd puller, with common cars, jarveys, ponies and traps and bicycles on all roads leading into Thurles from early morning. Cork won the replay with Limerick losing a game they deserved to win. Space does not permit the noting of further milestones in Limerick's inter county endeavours, but we must before concluding, refer to the 1955 Munster senior hurling final at the Gaelic Grounds, which Limerick won on a scoreline 2-16 to Clare's 2-6. Of Limerick's tally Dermot Kelly scored 1-12. The following year, Christy Ring scored 3 goals in Cork's defeat of Limerick at Thurles.
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