The end is nigh for Limerick FC

The future of senior soccer in Limerick was thrown into chaos on Wednesday afternoon with confirmation of the news that Limerick FC’s holding company Munster Football Ltd are set to be liquidated following the end of the examinership period, which had been ongoing since September.

A hearing at Ennis District Court ended the court protection offered to Munster Football Ltd, headed by Pat O’Sullivan and the next move would be to appoint a liquidator.

Conor Noone of Baker Tilly Chartered Accountants, was appointed as examiner to the club in September was tasked with trying to find new investors as well as reaching agreements with the club’s many debtors, in a desperate attempt to keep the Shannonsiders afloat.

Last month, Conor Noone stated that there had been eight expressions of interest in the club and one serious possibility of investment. However, Counsel Gearoid Costelloe told the court that the interested party did not ‘engage’ with Mr. Noone in the necessary manner to gain a licence for the upcoming season.

The owner of Munster Football Club limited Pat O’Sullivan, who has been in charge of the club for ten years, was very critical of the FAI upon hearing the verdict in court today.

O’Sullivan stated; “It is scandalous the way the FAI has treated me.The FAI have put every obstacle in the way of the club and ultimately what will happen is that the club will have to just fold and Pat O’Sullivan is out of sight and out of mind.

No other club has been put through the process of having to jump all these hurdles before we get an opportunity to apply for a licence.”

The FAI responded by claiming that there was no contact between O’Sullivan and the association during the process.

“There has been no contact between the Limerick owner Pat O’Sullivan and the FAI over how he intends to proceed following today’s news. No application for a League of Ireland licence was made by Limerick FC as the club was in examinership.”

As a result, it looks as though one of the league’s longest serving clubs and cities, will not have a senior soccer side in the Airtricity League next season.