GAA
Our Reeling in the Years of Limerick GAA continues today as we travel back to 1997.
Catch out previous years.
1997
Football
National Football League
The League format for the 1998 League was changed so the 1997 edition saw no promotion or relegation. Nonetheless it was still a poor campaign for Limerick after much improvement in ’96.
Munster Football Championship
Limerick started their campaign in the Munster quarter-final with a clash against Tipperary.
In the Gaelic Grounds, the sides played out a classic and could not be separated at the final whistle with the score at 1-13 to 0-16 with John Quane notching his sides goal.
In the replay in Clonmel, Limerick got off to a brilliant start with Quane netting once again, this time after only 14 seconds with a brilliantly struck strike off the ground.
Tipp grew into the game and held a 1-6 to 1-3 lead at the break however.
Brendan Cummins would dominate the second half for the hosts, notching 0-8 on upon his introduction with David Reidy grabbing a late consolation goal with Tipp running out 1-17 to 2-8 winners to signal the end of Limerick’s season.
Hurling
National Hurling League
Despite finishing third the previous year in Division 2, Limerick found themselves in Division 1 for the 1997 season.
They fully took advantage of this to top of the group, level with Kilkenny to qualify directly for the semi-final.
In the groups stages Limerick defeated Kilkenny in Nowlan Park, All-Ireland champions Wexford in Enniscorthy, Offaly in Birr and Laois in the Gaelic Grounds.
The win away to Wexford came six months after their All-Ireland final loss to the Yellowbellies. Limerick had also lost the 1994 final to Offaly.
In the semi-final they faced Kilkenny whom they defeated once more in Nowlan Park, winning out comprehensively 1-17 to 0-10.
In the final they were paired with Galway which was played in Ennis.
In a low scoring final, Limerick would come out on top to win a first League title since 1992, it would be a further 22-years until their next one.
Munster Hurling Championship
As such, Limerick came into the Munster championship as League and Provincial champions where they were pitted against Waterford in the quarter-finals.
Limerick overcame the Deise, winning 2-20 to 1-17 to set up a clash with Tipperary in the semi-finals in a replay of the final from ’96.
In Semple Stadium, the sides were level five times in the opening half with Tipp’s goal giving them daylight at the break as they held a 1-8 to 0-8 lead.
In the second period, the hosts took control to avenge the defeat fro the previous summer and knock Limerick out of the championship, eventually winning 1-20 to 0-13.
Club Championships
Hurling
In the Limerick Senior Hurling Championship, Patrickswell made it three-in-a-row against last years Intermediate champions Garryspillane.
The city side would run out 1-12 to 0-9 winners in the Gaelic Grounds.
Monaleen were victorious in the Intermediate Hurling championship to earn promotion tot he top tier.
West clubs Monagea and Newcastle West were crowned Junior A and Junior B hurling champions respectively.
Football
Galbally were crowned SFC champions for the second time in four years as they defeated the University of Limerick in the final.
Mungret St Pauls were crowned Intermediate Football champions while Athea took Junior A honours.
Caherconlish won out the Junior B Championship.
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