Thirty years ago, the people of Limerick were struggling to come to terms with their collective grief in the aftermath of the Pike Rovers bus crash which led to the deaths of three people and many more being injured.
The crash occurred on Sunday, April 26, at approximately 8.50pm when a CIE chartered coach, carrying 53 Pike Rovers soccer players, officials and supporters, mounted the ditch on the roadside approximately 100 yards on the city side of the Cat’s Cradle Bar near Ballyneety.
The team had just played a scoreless draw against the John Bosco club at Midleton in a quarter final of the Munster Junior Cup.
Tony Hanley (46) and Alphonsus (Phonsie) Ryan (72) died from their injuries in the crash while on New Year’s Eve of the same year, team mascot Paul Mulally aged just five succumbed to his injuries.
In what was an excellent piece of radio, Live95fm’s soccer correspondent Mike Aherne spoke with Eddie O’Donovan Sr., P.R.O Ger Hanrahan, John Malone, Declan Waters and supporter Joe.
You can listen to the podcast in full by clicking on the link below.
Limerick Today Podcast on Pike Bus Crash.
Not long after the events of that night Tadhg Horan penned a song in memory of those lost in the tragedy called “The Missing Ones”. A beautiful Tribute song excellenty crafted….Too good to be forgotten