GAA
With no sport to keep us entertained for the foreseeable future, it is time to get creative and reminisce about all sport has offered us over the years.
As such, I began to examine my favourite hurling games involving Limerick since I first attended the Gaelic Grounds in 2007 as a 10-year-old.
There has been some huge highs and many more lows in Limerick hurling circles over the past thirteen years and for each of the next ten days I will count down my top ten favourite Limerick games.
Earlier this week I went through the honourable mentions, and also,
Yesterday we had Number 5 and Number 4.
Today we have number 3.
#3
Limerick 0-22 : 2-13 Tipperary (Munster Semi-Final Replay II AET)
24 June 2007 at the Gaelic Grounds
The very first game I ever attended and for a long long time my favourite.
It was the first game Limeric won in the Munster Championship since 2001 and also gave them a first Munster final appearance since the same year.
Instantly I was hooked.
It’s hard to look at this game without remembering what came before it.
A fortnight previously Limerick looked dead and buried against Tipp with a man down but somehow Limerick levelled late on to secure the unlikely draw.
In that game in Thurles, once again Limerick looked like they were out but heart and determination saw them to another 1-19 to 1-19 draw.
They would need a late leveller in Semple Stadium to bring the game to another replay with Andrew O’Shaughnessy displaying nerves of steel with a last minute ’65.
And so we came to the replay of the replay in the Gaelic Grounds.
After giving Tipp the advantage in both of the opening pair of games, this time it would be Limerick who took the initiative racing into a six point lead.
Tipperary’s first half-goal would help them claw Limerick back with the sides level at half-time.
Throughout the second half, the sides traded score for score.
However, Limerick held a three point lead with time quickly running out.
There was time for more late drama as Tipp would find the resolve this time around as a late score meant the sides were level for the third consecutive time at the end of 70 minutes.
But buoyed by the ravenous home support, Limerick finally gained control in additional time and lead by the Moran brothers, Limerick steamrolled to the three-point victory.
There was still time remaining when we left the terrace and invaded the field.
We barley made it off the pitch before the final whistle blew, drawing to close the most enthralling of trilogy’s and allowing us back onto the hallowed turf to celebrate with out heroes.
A day that will never be forgotten.