Month: September 2021

WHEN THE CHANCE came on the biggest day in the hurling year, Shane Dowling was ready to seize it.

In front of Hill 16 he gathered the sliotar in the 68th minute of the All-Ireland decider, stepped back inside the Galway cover and despatched his shot to the bottom corner of the net.

Limerick’s third goal of the afternoon had arrived and it had the look of a score that would secure a breakthrough after 45 years of hardship, as Dowling wheeled away in celebration and their fans exploded with joy around Croke Park.

It transpired to be a nervy ride to victory for Limerick as they had to withstand a late Galway onslaught but at the final whistle the Na Piarsaigh club man was an All-Ireland champion and had bagged the goal on final day that he desired.

“A fine bad pass it was from Peter as well, I can tell you,” laughed Dowling afterwards.

“The weird thing is I do an awful amount of visualising. I said it before in terms of free-taking, you can go down to Na Piarsaigh and you can practice your frees and your penalties, when you’re doing it on your own in front of no one.

“Then you come to Croke Park in front of 80,000 people, knowing there’s another three quarter of a million people or more probably watching it. I’m a huge believer in visualisation.

“I didn’t really sleep last night because I visualised scoring a goal on All-Ireland final day. Now it was a small bit more dramatic what I visualised than what happened but it was brilliant. After scoring a goal, to a certain degree it was probably crossing everyone’s mind, game over to go eight or nine points up with only a handful of minutes left.

“Now as it turned out that wasn’t the case. But it was dreams come true and when I say it, I mean it because I dreamt of that so many times.”

Dowling’s belief that victory was imminent was tested in those anxious moments in injury-time as Galway attacked relentlessly. Thoughts drifted back to another All-Ireland day when Limerick play a chief role in a tale of late drama.

“When Galway were in the comeback, it came across my mind and I spoke to a member of the management team and a number of players and I asked them one question, ‘Did ’94 go through your heads?’.

“And the answer from everyone was yes. It’s nothing go to do with us but it’s probably the most famous final and do you know what, today would have been worse. Listen it’s great we come out the other end of it smiling but isn’t it amazing how history that’s nothing got to do with anyone, that was so dramatic, is still there 24 years later. But I can tell everyone one thing for sure, that’s now put to bed forever.”

As the significance of the achievement began to sink in for Dowling, he was keen to tip his hat towards those that have helped mould him into an inter-county hurlers.

“I’m 25 years of age. I’ve won a county championship with my club, a Munster club, an All-Ireland club. I’ve won a Munster with Limerick and an All-Ireland with Limerick. To be able to say that at 25 years of age, coming from a county like Limerick that hasn’t been steeped in success when we were growing up, is just surreal really.

“I’ve said it before, it’s great for me, I’ll do the interviews and people will talk about Shane Dowling. But Shane Dowling wouldn’t be standing here if it wasn’t for my father who took me out at six years of age and the lads that were in Na Piarsaigh since I was a young lad getting me ready for this day.

“As is natural, a lot of people would rang me during the week wishing me luck and my last words to some of them were how they could take great pride in knowing that you had a part to play in what’s going to happen on Sunday and I meant that.

“Everyone will tell you, they wouldn’t be there but for so many people. People say it and sometimes it can be a throwaway comment but I genuinely mean that. I’d be forever indebted to them but I’ve realised it a couple of years ago and now I’m trying to give something back to Na Piarsaigh to the underage as well and I get a great kick out of that as well, knowing that I’ll hopefully have a hand to play with the future for Na Piarsaigh and Limerick.”

Today was not the first time that Dowling launched a scoring salvo off the bench for Limerick. His 1-4 return in the semi-final win over Cork was eye-catching, as was his post-match plea for calm and composure before the final.

Now with the Liam MacCarthy Cup heading to Limerick, he has no insistence on restraint.

🏆🎉PARTY TIME 🏆🎉 It's been a long time coming, so Shane Dowling is calling on the Limerick fans to celebrate in style…….. pic.twitter.com/cmlQsq5Qhu

— Sky Sports GAA (@SkySportsGAA) August 19, 2018

“After the Cork game and I think it was funny like people might think we’ve talked about this hype thing. I just wanted this thing so bad, it came natural for me just to say leave the players focus.

“Then John (Kiely) said it inside and all of a sudden it became this thing. It was just that we wanted to try to get as many things right and for 65 minutes of that game, we nailed everything. But I suppose I asked people a couple of weeks ago to just leave the players focus and the supporters do their bit by leaving the players.

“But I can now ask the supporters and I’d give them one final message, let them go absolutely mental for the next number of months because we all deserve it.

“It’ll be madness tonight! But listen what can you do, Limerick have been waiting for 45 years so God knows what’s ahead of us in Citywest. But it’s brilliant.

“I swore to myself from a young age if I ever won an All-Ireland, I’d try my best to take it all in and while it’s not easy, that’s exactly what I’m going to try to do.”

The42 is on Instagram! Tap the button below on your phone to follow us!

Click Here: Nigeria soccer tracksuit

RTÉ’S COVERAGE OF the All-Ireland senior football final won’t feature any interviews with Tyrone players or management, a statement from the national broadcaster has confirmed.

Mickey Harte has refused to speak with RTÉ since June 2011 after an ill-judged comedy sketch on The John Murray Show mimicked the Tyrone boss just six months after the death of his daughter Michaela.

Harte took exception to the choice of song, ‘Pretty Little Girl from Omagh’, that was played during the segment.

Click Here: England National Team soccer tracksuit

Harte was also unhappy when a letter he sent to RTÉ over their treatment of commentator Brian Carthy was leaked to the media seven years ago.

Tyrone players have refused to be interviewed by RTÉ since then. Despite the arrival of Declan McBennett as RTÉ’s new head of sport, the discussions between both parties have reached an impasse.

An RTÉ statement released this morning on the situation read: “Last week RTÉ Sport extended the same invitation to Tyrone GAA that it has to Dublin GAA, and all previous All Ireland finalists with regard to participation in RTÉ coverage across television, radio and digital platforms.

“This included pre-match, day of match at Croke Park, and post-match interviews.

“Tyrone GAA have informed RTÉ Sport that the Tyrone management and players do not wish to participate in any such media activity with RTE and we respect that decision.

“RTÉ Sport will now continue with its planning and preparation and we wish both Tyrone GAA and Dublin GAA the very best of luck in the final.

“We will be making no further comment on this issue.”

The42 is on Instagram! Tap the button below on your phone to follow us!

DECLAN HANNON BEGAN his captain’s winning speech yesterday by tipping his cap to the players and management who went before them in the 45 years since their last All-Ireland triumph.

The centre-back doubled down on that sentiment under the Hogan Stand afterwards as the enormity of what Limerick had achieved started to sink in.

“There are a lot of Limerick teams who have been there or thereabouts,” the 25-year-old said.

“They’ve obviously put in massive effort throughout the years and they did inspire us when we were growing up. We all looked up to the Conor Fitzgeralds and Mark Foleys of this world.”

Wayne McNamara and Gavin O’Mahony received special praise from Hannon too.

“They paved the path for us and we wanted to follow it. Look, we did but they’ve had a big part to play in this as well.

“Those guys are unbelievable ambassadors for Limerick. They have taught me so much in terms of how to conduct yourself on the field, off the field. Particularly off the field because there’s a lot of media etc. They are guys who guided us.

Thanks to everyone for the lovely messages over the last number of hours… a real dream come true, can’t wait to see ye all back in Limerick 💚 #LuimneachAbú pic.twitter.com/6we5TzZ1JE

— Declan Hannon (@DecHannon) August 20, 2018

“It’s hard for them today if they stepped away last year or the last couple of years but those guys will be over the moon as well tonight.”

The Adare man played a starring role for Limerick at the heart of the defence, stealing forward for two first-half points. When he lifted the Liam MacCarthy Cup over his head, he laid the ghosts of over four decades to rest.

“I don’t think it will dawn on us for another few weeks, but the boys are great, they are such a grounded group of lads. Of course we are going to enjoy this, have a sing song and many sing songs. We are delighted, it is two years of a gameplan being put into practice came out on the field, we are just over the moon.

“Hype away now. Look it is great. Limerick supporters are unbelievable and they have been year in, year out. The last few years haven’t gone to plan for us, they still come out in their droves. It is hard when you are not winning.

“It is hard being a supporter and I’ve been a supporter myself going to matches when it is not working for the team, but they keep coming out. I’m delighted for them as well.

“I probably had my worst experience ever in Croke Park in 2013 and it took a while to get over that.

“These hardships build you as a person as well. The easy thing to do would be to say ‘I’ll leave it. I don’t want this anymore but the boys are so grounded and everyone just dug in and kept going. It’s so worth it.”

Source: Tommy Dickson/INPHO

Shane Dowling admitted the 1994 final, when they let a five-point lead slip to Offaly in the dying minutes, crossed his mind as Galway cut the margin down to a single point in eight minutes of stoppage-time, but it never entered Hannon’s head.

“Not really. All I thought of was to win the next ball. You saw against Kilkenny when Tom Morrissey caught a puck-out when they got a goal…

“It was just going to happen. One of the boys was going to win a free or something, it was happening all year and worked again today.

“It was unreal (at the final whistle). I ran into Dan Morrissey, who nearly knocked me over, the size of him.

“It’s an unbelievable feeling. You couldn’t buy it. A dream come true.

Click Here: union bordeaux begles rugby jerseys

“Anyone who has played sport has walked around their back garden marching behind the band since they were four or five years of age pretending they were in Croke Park.

“For it to come true is a nice feeling,” he added.

Limerick’s strategy all year has been to take each game as it comes. How will they approach the celebrations?

“One day at a time, one week a time, one month at a time!” he smiled. “We’ll see what happens.”

The42 is on Instagram! Tap the button below on your phone to follow us!

FRESH FROM ENDING their 45-year wait for All-Ireland hurling glory, Limerick’s newly-crowned champions continued a fine GAA tradition by visiting Dublin’s children’s hospitals ahead of their journey home from the capital.

Source: Oisin Keniry/INPHO

Limerick’s heroic winners brought along the Liam MacCarthy Cup to visit the kids and spirits were high in both Crumlin Children’s Hospital and Temple Street as players, management, members and staff alike enjoyed the celebrations.

Here’s a look at the heart-warming scenes from Crumlin first.

10-year-old Jake Clarke from Wexford lifts the silver alongside John Kiely and Declan Hannon

Source: Oisin Keniry/INPHO

Nathan and Alan Flynn were all smiles with Barry Hennessy

Source: Oisin Keniry/INPHO

Limerick captain Declan Hannon with seven-month-old Harley Kenny and Alannah Dawson from Dublin

Source: Oisin Keniry/INPHO

Nathan Flynn meets Limerick All-Ireland winners Barry Hennessy and Paul Browne

Source: Oisin Keniry/INPHO

Declan Hannon with Phillip and Alan Dunne

Source: Oisin Keniry/INPHO

Limerick’s Seamus Hickey smiles with Niamh Collins and three-and-a-half week-old Liam Tomney

Source: Oisin Keniry/INPHO

10-year-old Jessica Whelan from Kildare gets her hands on the cup and meets Barry Hennessy

Source: Oisin Keniry/INPHO

Limerick manager John Kiely with Lisa, Phillip and Alan Dunne

Source: Oisin Keniry/INPHO

And from there, they headed to Temple Street to share the celebrations with children and staff…

Nine-year-old CJ Murphy from Kildare was delighted to get a go at lifting the cup

Kiely and Hannon were among those to meet three-year-old Allie Sheridan and her mum Jackie

John Kiely has a chat with three-year-old John Paul and five-year-old Nora McDonagh from Dundalk

And RTÉ had their cameras there to capture some special moments too….

After a morning spent visiting sick children in hospital, Limerick's triumphant hurlers prepare for their homecoming #rtegaa pic.twitter.com/eRhdrPFfWF

— RTÉ GAA (@RTEgaa) August 20, 2018

The42 is on Instagram! Tap the button below on your phone to follow us!

Click Here: Kenzo ジャンパー

THE GAA HAVE confirmed that Cork official Conor Lane will be the referee for the All-Ireland football final on Sunday 2 September.

Lane will take charge of the clash between Dublin and Tyrone in Croke Park, in what will be his second All-Ireland senior final appearance having previously refereed the 2016 decider between Dublin and Mayo.

The Banteer/Lyre club man was also the man in the middle for the All-Ireland minor final in 2013, the 2013 and 2016 Connacht finals and the 2016 All-Ireland club showpiece.

Click Here: cnc rapid prototyping

Lane refereed two All-Ireland Super 8s clashes this year — Galway and Monaghan, and Dublin and Donegal — the Connacht quarter-final meeting of Galway and Mayo, Fermanagh and Monaghan’s Ulster semi-final and two qualifier clashes.

Meath’s David Gough will be the standby referee with Roscommon’s Paddy Neilan the other linesman and Antrim’s Sean Laverty the sideline official.

His umpires on the day will be John Joe Lane and DJ O’Sullivan (both Banteer/Lyre), Ray Hegarty (Bride Rovers) and Pat Kelly (Kilshannig).

Tyrone’s Sean Hurson will take charge of the All-Ireland minor final meeting of Kerry and Galway. Tipperary man Derek O’Mahony will be the standby referee with Cork’s James Bermingham the other linesman and Leitrim’s Eamon O’Grady the sideline official.

Galbally Pearses clubman Hurson’s umpires will be Martin Coney and Cathal Forbes (both O’Donovan Rossa), Mel Taggart (Clonoe O’Rahillys) and Martin Conway (Moortown St Malachy’s).

The42 is on Instagram! Tap the button below on your phone to follow us!

IT MAY WELL go down as the greatest All-Ireland senior hurling championship of all-time, but what was your favourite moment from the summer? 

Source: Tommy Dickson/INPHO

Here are the main contenders:

1. The 18-second turnaround in Tipperary vs Clare

A six-point swing over the course of 18 dramatic seconds helped Clare keep their Munster campaign alive with a 1-23 to 1-21 win over Tipperary back in June.

The key moment of the game arrived in the 65th minute. The Premier were four in front when Jake Morris’s effort beat Donal Tuohy but struck the post and bounced back into play.

Clare worked the ball upfield and Podge Collins released Ian Galvin, who buried a strike past Brian Hogan. Instead of going seven in front, Tipp’s advantage was cut to a single point. The Banner eventually levelled and surged to victory in stoppage-time.

Six Point Swing! Jake Morris from Tipperary hits the post, Clare go down the field and score a fine goal through Ian Galvin. pic.twitter.com/dXb3nUQaJV

— The GAA (@officialgaa) June 10, 2018

2. Tipperary’s ghost goal vs Waterford

The officiating gaffe of the summer goes to Alan Kelly and his umpire who awarded Tipperary a ghost goal in their 1-22 apiece draw with Waterford in Munster.

Jason Forde’s shot at goal was adjudged to have been carried over the line by Waterford’s Austin Gleeson and the three-pointer helped Tipperary force a share of the spoils after trailing by 11 points at one stage in the second-half.

The umpire raised his green flag without consulting his colleague and replays showed that Gleeson hadn’t crossed the line. The GAA tweeted a video of the incident before later deleting it.

'The Waterford players and supporters not at all happy' – Controversy at the Gaelic Grounds as Waterford v Tipp ends in a draw #rtegaa #TheSundayGame pic.twitter.com/ptZ4SfOPYE

— The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) June 3, 2018

3. Eoin Murphy’s brilliant saves vs Limerick

A heroic display of goalkeeping from Eoin Murphy against Limerick wasn’t enough to keep Kilkenny in the championship.

Murphy pulled off two incredible saves on Treaty corner-forward Aaron Gillane to deny him a goal in either half. The first stop was on a Gillane kick from point-blank range.

Aaron Gillane makes a tremendous catch and kicks a superb shot towards goal only for Eoin Murphy to pull off a top corner save. Watch the highlights at 9.30pm @rte2 tonight #RTEGAA #GAA pic.twitter.com/2ZGOoQZtBs

— The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) July 15, 2018

Murphy’s second save was an even more acrobatic effort.

Aaron Gillane gets the point after a superb save from Kilkenny's Eoin Murphy! pic.twitter.com/eo7brTdy8y

— The GAA (@officialgaa) July 15, 2018

4. TJ Reid’s equaliser vs Galway

The Leinster final packed some late drama as three stoppage-time scores from Kilkenny sent their decider with Galway to a replay.

TJ Reid bagged 10 points, none more important than his 72nd-minute equaliser from midfield. When John Donnelly fed Reid with a handpass, the Croke Park crowd buzzed with excitement as he wound up to shoot.

The Ballyhale Shamrocks ace had time to turn onto his favoured left side and he smashed the ball over the bar to level the game up.

TJ Reid draws the match with a monster point! pic.twitter.com/dpf1FGOPFl

— The GAA (@officialgaa) July 1, 2018

5. Peter Duggan’s stunning point vs Galway

The score of the summer and one of the greatest ever in Croke Park. Peter Duggan’s incredible solo run and one-handed strike on the volley despite the close attention of four Galway defenders was mesmerising.

Duggan’s score was a remarkable display of strength, skill and sheer doggedness that set the pulses of hurling fans racing.

Peter Duggan with a lovely skilful point. pic.twitter.com/gOME4yoYJU

— The GAA (@officialgaa) July 28, 2018

6. Jason McCarthy’s extra-time equaliser vs Galway

Galway looked set to advance into the All-Ireland final when they led by a point deep into stoppage-time at the end of the second-half of extra-time, but Jason McCarthy had other ideas.

The Banner worked a ball from the back through the lines and it made its way into the paw of 21-year-old substitute McCarthy, who slotted over the clutch score to send this tie to a replay.

Jason Mc Carthy makes it all square to bring it to a replay after extra-time. pic.twitter.com/c2jIZqp8zQ

— The GAA (@officialgaa) July 28, 2018

7. Nickie Quaid’s stoppage-time flick vs Cork

It’s likely that Limerick wouldn’t have even made it to the final had it not been for Nickie Quaid’s amazing save on Seamus Harnedy in the 72nd-minute of their last four clash with Cork.

With the sides locked at 1-26 apiece, Harnedy looked to have the goal at his mercy but Quaid kept his eyes on the ball and flicked it away to deny the Rebels. The game went to extra-time where Limerick eventually prevailed.

Such was the quality of Quaid’s stop it was featured in US sports magazine Sports Illustrated as their highlight of the weekend.

Check out this unbelievable save by Nickie Quaid! pic.twitter.com/Y3deg0CM18

— The GAA (@officialgaa) July 29, 2018

8. Jonathan Glynn’s one-handed goal vs Clare

Jonathan Glynn’s phenomenal 20th-minute goal was the highlight as Galway raced into a 1-9 to 0-3 lead against Clare in the semi-final replay in Thurles.

Full-forward Glynn fetched the ball from the clouds while holding off a Banner defender, before he collected possession, spun away from another Clare man and slammed the ball one-handed past Tuohy.

GOAL for Galway's Jonathan Glynn! pic.twitter.com/Eix7u2IjW4

— The GAA (@officialgaa) August 5, 2018

9. Shane O’Donnell solo goal vs Galway

Shane O’Donnell’s wonder goal in the same game dragged Clare back into the contest.

He flicked up possession, danced past John Hanbury, Daithi Burke and sold David Burke a dummy before striking it on the half-volley past James Skehill.

Even his celebration oozed class.

'I think we have seen one of the goals of the Championship Brendan' – Ger Canning was rightly impressed by this Shane O'Donnell goal. Game on! Highlights 9.30pm on @RTE2 #RTEGAA https://t.co/SlPERfO9xW pic.twitter.com/lS4fV2nodp

— The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) August 5, 2018

10. Pat Ryan’s deft finish vs Cork

Pat Ryan was part of a Limerick bench that contributed 2-6 against Cork. His goal, a stunning lob in the second period of extra-time, pretty much confirmed Limerick’s progression to their first All-Ireland final in 11 years.

Ryan collected the ball in the corner, burned his man down the end line and showed a cool head by lofting a delicate finish over Anthony Nash.

Another goal for Limerick! Pat Ryan increases Limerick's lead. pic.twitter.com/KZWvBylgCC

— The GAA (@officialgaa) July 29, 2018

***********

What was your favourite moment from the championship? Let us know in the comments section below.

The42 is on Instagram! Tap the button below on your phone to follow us!

Click Here: rugby jerseys

Limerick players in jubilant mood as they head home with Liam MacCarthy Cup pic.twitter.com/c6fQGMJosd

— RTÉ News (@rtenews) August 20, 2018

THE LIMERICK HURLERS were given a heroes’ welcome home after ending a 45-year wait for an All-Ireland title on Sunday.

John Kiely’s side earned a dramatic 3-16 to 2-18 victory over Galway, prompting jubilant scenes in the county.

Thousands of fans consequently have turned up today at the Gaelic Grounds and elsewhere to greet the team.

It’s been a busy day for the Limerick players and staff, who earlier visited Dublin’s children’s hospitals to continue a fine GAA tradition.

The homecoming party is set to include musical acts Beoga – fronted by Limerick woman Niamh Dunne – as well as The Blizzards and DJ Mark McCabe.

Limerick’s William O’Donoghue boards the train to Limerick.

Source: Oisin Keniry/INPHO

Limerick’s Declan Hannon with driver John Hanrahan.

Source: Oisin Keniry/INPHO

Limerick manager John Kiely arrives at Heuston Station.

Source: Oisin Keniry/INPHO

Crowds gather outside Limerick Colbert railway station to welcome home the Limerick team.

Source: TommyDickson/INPHO

Limerick’s Gearoid Hegarty and Kyle Hayes lift the Liam MacCarthy Cup.

Source: TommyDickson/INPHO

Declan Hannon lifts the Liam MacCarthy Cup outside Limerick Colbert railway station.

Source: TommyDickson/INPHO

Manager John Kiely lifts the Liam MacCarthy Cup outside Limerick Colbert railway station.

Source: TommyDickson/INPHO

Manager John Kiely as the Limerick bus makes its way to the reception at the Gaelic Grounds.

Source: TommyDickson/INPHO

Declan Hannon and Mayor of Limerick James Collins with the Liam MacCarthy Cup.

Source: TommyDickson/INPHO

The Limerick bus makes its way through Limerick City to the reception at the Gaelic Grounds.

Source: TommyDickson/INPHO

Manager John Kiely with former Limerick player Paddy Kelly and his wife Tina.

Source: TommyDickson/INPHO

Manager John Kiely salutes the crowds.

Source: TommyDickson/INPHO

The42 is on Instagram! Tap the button below on your phone to follow us!

Click Here: cheap puma women shoes

THE SOLITARY LIMERICK survivor.

It only took Seamus Hickey two seasons as a Limerick senior hurler to grace All-Ireland final day.

Cast your mind back to 2007. Hickey was a symbol of a Limerick team powerless to stop a Kilkenny side at the peak of their considerable powers. A teenage corner-back detailed to pick up Eddie Brennan come throw-in, by the final whistle he had been taken for 1-5 by an attacker in a lethal mood.

It was one of those instructive experiences that a lot of youngsters go through, the problem for Hickey was it took him so long to get back to that stage and attempt to make amends.

The final whistle in Croke Park at the end of July carried a deep personal significance. After an extra-time epic, Cork had been despatched. Limerick were returning to a final and Hickey found himself the only long-serving figure still partaking.

“I couldn’t believe it would take this long to get back here. Especially when we won Munster in ‘13, I could not believe it would take this long to get to the big day.

“Listen I was on the field for the final whistle against Cork and the realisation sunk in after Dowling buried the penalty, that we’re going to an All-Ireland final. It was a special occasion to be a part of.”

Séamus Hickey celebrates Limerick’s win over Cork in late July.

It took until his 13th season as Limerick senior hurler for his second involvement on All-Ireland final day. This time he had number 21 on his back, he ended up stationed in the seats in the Lower Hogan Stand for the afternoon but when that final whistle blasted and Limerick had got over the line with a point to spare, the significance of the result was not diluted.

In essence, Hickey was just grateful to be afforded the chance to be a part of the group that made that breakthrough for Limerick, halting 45 hurling years of setbacks and disappointments and hardship.

“It’s incredible, absolutely incredible. It is everything I hoped it would be to be on the winning side of it. It’s humbling to be part of the group we’re part of. All the people and past players that I’ve played with, that were close, never got there, it’s humbling to believe that we got there. After 45 years it’s amazing and special to be part of this.

“There’s enormous gratitude. I’ve been so blessed. It’s not about me. All the young lads that have been there that have lead the line this year, all the experienced lads that have lead the line this year. The individual has been lost to a sense of unity and a spirit that carried us over. The reality is any successful team needs to have that or you won’t be successful.”

When success arrived at last, there was plenty to share it with. Himself and his wife Ellen’s daughter Anna turns three in a fortnight. Last March their family grew with the arrival of twin boys, Matthew and Patrick.

2018 was already defined by a milestone off the pitch. To allow Hickey the time to commit to the Limerick hurling cause and have a front-row view for yesterday’s momentous occasion, required no shortage of support.

“This year was tough, with the two boys arriving in March and the strain my wife has been under. Everybody who has played the game will tell you important it is to have the people around you, bought in and supporting you all the way.

“I couldn’t do this without my wife and without my family supporting us at home. I feel like I’m living a boys dream and I’m a grown-up man. It’s something special. I’m glad I have this special feeling. It feels surreal, it feels giddy, it feels all that good stuff that you imagined it would be.

“At the end of the day, they’re my everything, they’re my number one. To have them on the field with me afterwards, that’s my ultimate moment. You don’t want to let yourself think too far ahead the week of the final but for me that was the dream come true to have them with me to do it. I’m very, very lucky and I know I am.”

Seamus Hickey lifts the Liam MacCarthy Cup with his daughter Anna.

He suffered his fair share of hurling hard knocks before then. In the spring of 2006 Hickey was first parachuted into a Limerick senior side. He was a Leaving Cert student who lined out in a league final against Kilkenny and a Croke Cup final with St Flannan’s in the space of 24 hours on the May Bank Holiday weekend. Lost them both. It was a first taste of the need for perseverance.

Hickey has served under seven different Limerick hurling managers. County legends in Joe McKenna and Richie Bennis, then a trio of Cork men – Justin McCarthy, Donal O’Grady and John Allen – before a spell with TJ Ryan in charge and then the victorious incumbent John Kiely.

He’s witnessed championship exits at the hands of six counties, Kilkenny their tormentors on four occasions. 2010 was a lost season, Hickey one of many absent players in a messy and chaotic time for hurling in the county. After the 2007 decider there were defeats in the All-Ireland series – twice in quarter-finals and three times in semi-finals.

He talks freely about the ‘horrors in Croke Park’ that he has gone through. That final loss to Kilkenny. The 24-point hiding to Tipperary in 2009. Tearing his cruciate and being wheeled off 15 minutes in on a dispiriting day against Clare in 2013. A wholehearted defensive showing in 2014 yielded a man-of-the-match award but Limerick slipped to a two-point reversal against Kilkenny.

Hickey went off injured early in the 2013 All-Ireland senior hurling semi-final.

Source: James Crombie/INPHO

Yet there were also high moments. The Munster title win in front of the locals five years ago. The personal satisfaction in an All-Star award in 2014, just over a year after his knee had snapped.

And the growing sense this summer that Limerick were building to something big.

“I think everything John (Kiely) has done about representing, being the face of the team and the way he spoke has been so measured and so on the money,” says Hickey.

“I thought after the semi-final he nailed it. I thought the message to the group was excellent. I thought the message to people outside the group was even better.

“It was just apt yesterday with Tom (Condon) and Richie (McCarthy) coming on. There was enormous confidence that regardless of who went down, there was a capable person to step in. You can’t fake that.

“We’ve a tremendous management team, tremendous focus and discipline to our play this year. We’ve tried to change the direction of our attack, we’ve tried to keep it changeable. But it’s always to a masterplan and every person knew their place in that plan. That’s what’s special about it.”

That role of observer was a test of emotions in those nerve-shredding phases when Galway chipped away at Limerick’s sizeable advantage.

“It was agony,” reflects Hickey.

“After Dowling’s goal, I was quids in, we’re done and this is it. Then after Whelan scored the goal, the first one, when eight points goes to five, it’s like falling off a cliff.

“Eight is comfortable, five is not. In hurling that is absolutely nothing. For the free then to go against us and when Joe stood over it, I thought his striking had picked up very well towards the end of the game. I thought he could bury this. Two points, it was a nail-biter.

“But if we’ve shown anything this year, it’s been character in tight games. I’m not going to say I was fully convinced in the last minute and a half that we were going to do it but when the whistle did go, it was just pure relief and joy.”

Limerick’s players celebrate their Liam MacCarthy Cup victory.

Source: Ryan Byrne/INPHO

He knows that sense of relief is shared throughout a county that was fed up with their time away from the podium in Croke Park continuing to drag on.

“Limerick is exorcised. Limerick is free of the history. The men of ‘73, Joe McKenna, Richie Bennis, there’s so many there, they’re free as well.

“They wanted this as much for us as we wanted it. They’ve always wanted that, they wanted it in ‘07, they wanted it in ‘13, they wanted it all the times we’ve good teams. It was them that was driving it. It’s amazing that their history has been passed on and we can make it a bit more.

“Just Declan (lifting) the cup and what he has been (through) stood out. The journey he has been on since ‘13. I empathise with him.

“Just the type of leader he is and when you think of the Anthony Dalys, you think of the captains that have walked up those steps for counties that have broken famines, I couldn’t think of a better member of our group to do that. I’m so proud of him. It’s great. That stood out.”

He appreciated the Monday after an All-Ireland final as a winner. Morning trips with the silverware to hospitals in Dublin, the journey home to Limerick and the prospect of celebrating in his home place of Murroe-Boher in the next while.

“I’m just back from Temple Street and Crumlin which I think is such a fabulous tradition. The gratitude and appreciation from the nurses and the staff and the kids is mind blowing. If you want perspective in life, that gives it to you. If you want happiness and joy, it’ll show you that too. It’s great.

Niamh Collins with Limerick’s Seamus Hickey and Liam Tomney, three and a half weeks old, from Dublin.

Source: Oisin Keniry/INPHO

“We’re going to enjoy this. I plan to enjoy this for as long as it goes. I don’t see any reason not to. To be fair every Galway man to a man that I shook hands with after the game, told me to enjoy this, that it’s special.”

Recruiting a couple of babysitters to help during the celebrations is the only box left to tick.

“They’ve put up with me for this long, I’m hoping they’ll row in for another week or two,” laughs Hickey.

“It’s bonus territory, it’s great. I just feel like I’m witness to something special in Limerick and Limerick history and to be a part of it is pretty cool.”

12 years after he started out, the hurling prize he craved is finally in his grasp.

The42 is on Instagram! Tap the button below on your phone to follow us!

Click Here: sydney roosters shirt

LAST NIGHT JOHN Kiely got to come home to Limerick and celebrate in familiar environs.

The night before he got to appreciate a different occasion in the Citywest Hostel. The Limerick manager had seen his share of Sunday All-Ireland post-mortems, this one was different and worth savouring.

“We’ve been through the crappy banquets. Where you have nothing to bring back to the banquet and everybody is very disappointed and it’s a hard occasion.

“So it was fantastic to have the real deal and have that special occasion where you come into that room with what everybody had come to see.

“There was four tables from my own parish in Galbally. That’s a lot, that’s 40 people who wanted to be there with us and share that occasion. And of course your family are all there. They know what’s been put into it.

“They’ve heard the door opening at one or two o’clock in the morning when you were heading out into the back yard to look up at the stars and figure out the solution to some problem that you were worried about.

“So yeah, it was great to have our family and our club mates there. Even just for us as a group to sit down together last night and dance if off, if you like.”

John Kiely and his daughter Aoife in the Gaelic Grounds last night.

Source: TommyDickson/INPHO

Sunday may have been a breakthrough moment for Limerick hurling but Kiely is not interested in it becoming the closing note of their story.

“I said it after the game, this is not the end. It’s the beginning. I’m just so thrilled for all the young kids that are at home this morning in Limerick because that’s the real dividend from this.

“That spin-off for the thousands of youngsters that are going to go around with hurleys this week, next week and the week after, dreaming of being Cian Lynchs and Shane Dowlings and Peter Caseys.

“And not thinking they should be Seamie Callanan or Patrick Horgan or Henry Shefflin, even though they’re great players.

“They have their own standards and their own heroes.”

The theme of standards is one that Kiely returns to. It was an area he insisted on improvements in as Limerick began the long road of preparations that brought them to All-Ireland final Sunday.

“The backroom team as a whole, the standards rose. That’s why we did the boxing because the previous year the standards were allowed to let slip because fellas weren’t challenging enough whereas this year the standards were set because of the boxing. There was no drop.

“I don’t think there was a single session I went home unhappy about. We simplified things, took out a lot of the rubbish that was in there.

“We kept communication to a minimum instead of bombarding these lads. They’re only 20, 21, 22. Kyle Hayes doesn’t want 20 texts a day, he just wants to know where he is to be on a Tuesday and a Friday – ‘that’s it, boss, leave me alone’.

Aaron Gillane and Kyle Hayes celebrating Limerick’s success at Heuston Station.

Source: Oisin Keniry/INPHO

“I didn’t speak to the players this week on my own. Players need to be left alone. If I ring them, they could spend four or five hours and they’re thinking about what the conversation was about.

“So that’s a whole load of bloody energy wasted. At the end of the day, you need to trust them to go out on the field and do the job and play his part on the field, which he does.”

Limerick players celebrating in the Gaelic Grounds last night.

Source: Cian Lynch/INPHO

The demands in shaping a team to win an All-Ireland senior title are obvious. Kiely is grateful to the staff in Abbey CBS in Tipperary Town, where he is principal, for helping him achieve that.

“Obviously it does have an impact. There’s no getting away from that. But I’ve huge support from the board of management.

“The staff are incredible in terms of their support. I’ve actually only taken off two days in two years – two full days where I actually wasn’t in school.

“You’re there until half four, five o’clock. Then you’re gone out the door like a bullet to get to Rathkeale or the Gaelic Grounds.

“It’s just a busy day. That’s all. I’m not the only one in the country that’s busy. It’s just the responsibility because when you get to training, you have to be on point.

“Paul Kinnerk needs to know how many players are there for training so he can design the session around those numbers.

“Listen, we managed it quite well this year. We didn’t allow the phones to take over. Sometimes the phones can take over and you can do all your business over the phone.

“Young fellas, they see me every day on the corridors, in the class rooms, in the office, out of the pitch. For kids to understand that the teacher they know or knew can be involved in such a special thing, that’s great for them to figure out.

“They know I work hard at it. They know I’m in there every morning. They know I’m last in there most evenings. So they know if you work hard, good things will happen.”

Click Here: Chiefs rugby store

After the semi-final victory over Cork, it was striking how Kiely immediately sought to shift the focus to getting right for the final rather than basking in the glow of this sucecss.

“On a personal level after the semi-final was a very difficult situation. You’re being pulled and dragged, left, right and centre, fired into a room full of reporters and I’m a fighter.

“So when I’m put into a corner, I will fight. That’s the bottom line. I’m a protector, I’m a teacher, I’m a parent. I wanted to protect the people that mean most to me and I was protecting the Limerick players.

“I do know the following day by eleven o’clock in the morning, I had six players who had been individually contacted by various media outlets. So they were confused. Once they pushed back, that was the end of it.

“So it did help an awful lot that we were left to do what we wanted to do for the three weeks and that’s continuing to do what we were doing all year.”

He still managed to savour the build-up without being able to fully immerse himself in it. Over the next while, Kiely will seek to soak up the joy generated in Limerick by this win.

“My own village at home in Galbally was nuts. I haven’t been in the village for very long, I’ve gone down for a haircut or a newspaper or whatever it might be.

“But I’m looking forward to going down there tomorrow or the day after and spend a few hours and enjoy what they enjoyed for the last few weeks.

“It’s hugely important because I know the benefit it brings to a whole county, where it be a county community or a village community or a town community or a school community. These things lift people and give people a great sense of satisfaction and pride and happiness and they need it.”

The42 is on Instagram! Tap the button below on your phone to follow us!

KILDARE GAA HAVE announced they’ve been granted planning permission for the redevelopment of county grounds St Conleth’s Park.

The venue was at the centre of the ‘Newbridge of Nowhere’ saga back in June after the GAA announced Kildare’s Round 3 qualifier game against Mayo would be moved to Croke Park because St Conleth’s Park was not fit to host the game.

A stand-off ensued, with Kildare insisting they would not fulfil the fixture unless it was played in their home venue. Eventually, the GAA backed down and Kildare went on to enjoy a famous victory over Mayo in front of 8,200.

Click Here: rugby store

Last night, Kildare confirmed they would be going ahead with plans to renovate St Conleth’s Park and they released a number of images of the proposed plans.