GAA
Our Reeling in the Years of Limerick GAA continues today as we travel back to 2005!
Catch out previous years.
2005
Football
National Football League
After the highs of 2003 and 2004 where they earned promotion and reached the league semi-final respectively, Limerick came crashing back to earth in 2005 as they were relegated to Division 2 once more.
Just two wins from their seven games saw them finish second from bottom in Division 1B, signalling the end of thier two years stint in the top tier.
Munster Football Championship
In the Munster semi-final, Limerick were drawn to play All-Ireland champions Kerry.
In the Gaelic Grounds, Colm Cooper’s brace of goals would prove the difference as the Kingdom ran out 2-10 to 0-10 victors.
All Ireland Series
Limerick got back to winning ways in the second round of the qualifiers as they made light work of Carlow in Dr Cullen Park winning 2-15 to 0-7.
Micheal Reidy grabbed both of the games goals, bagging one in either half.
As they did, 12 months previously, Limerick met Derry in the qualifiers and again the Ulster side would have their number.
Stephen Kelly would get the Limerick opener after 15 but Muiris Gavin would be the only Limerick player to score for the remainder of the game.
Nonetheless, the sides were level at 0-9 a piece with 15 to play but four unanswered saw Derry to a 0-9 to 0-13 win.
This game would also bring to an end Liam Kearns’ successful tenure in charge of Limerick.
Hurling
National Hurling League
Llimerick began their campaign in Division 1B where they recorded two wins and three losses from their five games.
Those wins came against Down and Antrim with losses to Cork, Tipperary and Wexford.
That saw Limerick into Division 2 for the remainder of the league where they lost out to Waterford but defeated Dublin and Laois, finishing second in the table behind the Deise.
Munster Hurling Championship
Limerick opened the Munster championship with a quarter-final clash with Tipperary in Semple Stadium.
12 months previously Tipperary knocked Limerick out of the championship with a one point win and this followed suit with little to separate the sides as they played out a draw, 2-14 apiece.
Six days later, the sides met again in the Gaelic Grounds.
The sides were level for large spells of the first half before Ger O’Grady’s goal helped the Premier into a 1-7 to 0-8 lead at the break.
The second half was a tense affair and once again the teams were level at the final whistle, this time at 0-14 to 1-11.
Thus, the game went to extra time.
TJ Ryan gave Limerick the lead for the first time since the 10th minute before Tipp landed thier second goal of the game which helped them into a 2-13 to 0-16 lead at the turnover.
Tipp would not score in the final ten minutes but Limerick could not find the equalizer as they fell to a 2-13 to 0-18 loss.
All Ireland Series
In a new qualifier series, Limerick were drawn in a group with Antrim, Laois and Galway.
Wins over Laois and Antrim secured progress to the quarter-finals with the loss meaning they would face Kilkenny in the quarter-finals.
Beaten All-Ireland finalists from 2004 and current Leinster champions Kilkenny fired out of the blocks and raced into a 0-11 to 0-3 lead within the opening half hour.
Back-to-back points made the half time score more respectable for Limerick as they trailed 0-11 to 0-5.
Donie Ryan thought he had the perfect start to the half for Limerick but his goal was ruled out, somewhat harshly, for overcarrying.
Nonetheless, Limerick continued to dominate the game and reduced the deficit to three with 25 minutes to play.
Two minutes later and the gap was down to one, 0-12 to 0-11 after TJ Ryan’s score.
However, Kilkenny’s experience would see them over the line as they notched six of the last eight to win out 0-18 to 0-13 to end Limerick’s season.
Limerick’s wait for a first Munster minor hurling championship continued as they were well beaten by Cork in the decider.
Nonetheless, wins over Antrim and Dubin saw them into the All-Ireland final.
However a Joe Canning inspired Galway proved too strong as the Connacht side reigned supreme in a scoreline of 3-12 to 0-17.
Club Championships
Football
Monaleen and St Kierans made up the final pairing in the Limerick SFC.
Monaleen made it two wins in four years as they defeated the West side 0-13 to 2-5 in the Gaelic Grounds.
Monaleen held an eight point lead with time running out before Kierans bagged a pair of goals.
The City side would hold out for a third ever championship title.
In the intermediate football final Pallasgreen defeated Ballysteen to earn promotion.
St Patrick were crowned Junior A football champions while Knockainey were winners in the Junior B Championship.
Hurling
In the Limerick SHC, Garryspillane won their first ever title as they beat Kilmallock 2-15 to 2-12 in the decider.
Twelve months previous, Garryspillane were defeated in their second ever final appearance but made no mistake in ’05.
In a tense affair, Kilmallock held a narrow 1-5 to 0-7 lead at the break with Andrew O’Shaughnessy landing the goal.
Pat Tobin grabbed his sides opening goal and a couple of points from Donie Ryan had Garryspillane into a 1-10 to 1-5 lead.
But points from Gavin O’Mahony and a goal from Mike Houlihan had the sides level.
Ryan pounced for a goal for the Bouncers but three on the trot from the Balbec had it level at 2-11 a piece.
But, four of the last five points saw the Daly Cup back to Garryspillane for its maiden trip.
Granagh Ballingarry came out on top in the Intermediate Hurling Championship.
Hospital Herbertstown and Kileedy were crowned Junior A and B champions respectively.
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