GAA
Our Reeling in the Years of Limerick GAA continues today as we go back to the first year of the 2010’s!
Catch out previous years.
2010
Football
National Football League
Limerick’s tenure in the bottom division didn’t last long as they earned promotion after winning Division 4.
They began their campaign with a win over London which was followed by wins over Carlow and Longford.
They would suffer successive setbacks with a defeat to Waterford and a draw with Wicklow.
However, a strong finish which included wins over Kilkenny, Clare and Leitrim earned them a second place finish and a place in the League final against the Deise.
In Croke Park, Limerick would avenge the group stage loss to the same opponents as they won a first league title with Ger Collins early fortuitous goal paving the way for a 1-16 to 1-14 win.
Munster Football Championship
It would be Limerick and Waterford again in the Munster semi-final with the sides having traded the first two meetings of 2010.
Collins would strike an early goal to give Limerick the advantage before the Deise squared proceedings on 15 minutes with a goal of their own.
Limerick’s man advantage, which they had from the 12th minute due to a Waterford red card began to tell as they held a 1-8 to 1-4 lead at the break.
In the end, Limerick’s firepower saw them push further and further ahead with four unanswered scores at the end helping them to a 1-17 to 1-9 win and a place in a second consecutive Munster final.
Like ’03 and ’04, it would be Kerry awaiting in the decider with the Kingdom holding home advantage.
Again, it would be a case of ‘what ifs’ as Limerick fell to a fourth Munster final defeat in 8 years, losing 1-17 to 1-14.
John Galvin set the tone immediately as he raided upfield from the throw in to give Limerick the lead.
Three more would follow from the Treaty men before Kerry opened thier scoring account.
Limerick would lead by five with time running out before two quickfire Kerry scrores saw Limerick hold a 0-10 to 0-7 lead at the break.
1-7 without reply to start the half from the Kingdom completely shifted the narrative of the tie as Limerick looked dead and buried as they saw their five point lead turned to a seven point deficit against the reigning All-Ireland Champions.
Ger Collins broke the streak for Limerick and from the kickout Galvin dispossessed his Kerry counterpart before burying to the back of the net to bring his side back into the game with over a quarter of an hour to play.
Five minutes later and Galvin had completed the comeback as his point made it 1-4 on the bounce for Limerick.
Nine minutes would elapse without another score but Kerry would be the ones to get it with Colm Cooper notching.
Two more would follow suit as Kerry held on late on from immense Limerick pressure to secure a 73rd title with Limerick’s wait since 1896 stretching on.
All-Ireland Series
In the qualifiers, Limerick welcomed Cork to the Gaelic Grounds with the winner advancing to the quarter-finals.
Ultimately it would prove to be another day of what-ifs as Cork won out in extra-time and would eventually go on to win the All-Ireland.
At half time the sides were level 0-5 a piece with Limerick unlucky not to have lead, hitting the frame of the goal twice in the space of a minute.
Cork dominated the second half and lead 0-12 to 0-7 as Limerick went 22 minutes without a score.
Ger Collins ended the drought with the game heading into injury time.
In injury time, Limerick would force an extra 20 as a Collins’ penalty and point from Conor Fitzgerald saw the sides level after 70.
Cork had the only two scores of the first 10 of extra time with both sides tiring.
Brian Scanlon would reduce the deficit with a 45′ but Limerick could not draw parity as the sides exchanged scores down the stretch with Cork securing the 0-16 to 1-11 win, ending Limerick’s year.
Hurling
National Hurling League
The year began in turmoil for Limerick after manager Justin McCarthy dropped a number of high profile players in late 2009.
This would have a huge effect on the squad with many more dropping themselves off the panel as a result.
In January 2010, members of the ousted Limerick hurling panel issued a lengthy statement hitting out at McCarthy and his management team ahead of the EGM of all county board delegates.
The statement highlighted their six main issues detailing back to the lack of communication in the lead up to the announcement of McCarthy’s winter training panel in November 2009.
Limerick’s league performances highlighted the discontent with the Treaty losing each of their seven games in the competition, being relegated to Division 2.
Llimerick’s average margin of loss was 12 points with a 31-point loss to Dublin in the final round.
Munster Hurling Championship
The discontent in the camp continued to worsen after the dreadful league campaign
His role as Limerick hurling manager came under more pressure in March 2010 as it became clear that a special county board meeting had been arranged. At the meeting on 23 March, McCarthy retained his post following a failed vote of no confidence
One hundred and thirty-three votes were cast at the meeting. Eighty-three votes were in favour of McCarthy retaining his position. Forty-seven votes were lodged for the motion and McCarthy to leave his role. Two votes were not returned and one vote was spoiled.
As such he lead Limerick into the championship where they played Cork in Pairc Ui Chaoimh.
Limerick had nine championship debutants against Cork and it showed in their display as they fell to a 2-19 to 0-12 defeat.
Ppat Horgan’s first half goal helped Cork into a 1-10 to 0-6 lead with Paudie O’Sullivan’s second half goal sealing the result for Cork.
All Ireland Series
In the qualifiers, Offaly put the final nail in Limerick’s coffin that saw them lose each of their nine competitive games in 2010.
Limerick’s plucky youthful side gave a strong account of themselves against Offaly, trailing by as little as two points heading into the final 10 minutes.
However four on the bounce from the Leinster side saw them to a 2-19 to 2-13 victory.
Justin McCarthy’s resignation followed soon after.
Club Championships
Football
Monaleen won their first crown since 2005 in the Limerick SFC as they beat Adare 1-9 to 1-5 in the final.
Liam Costello’s goal in the first half helped Adare to a 1-5 to 0-4 lead at the break as they sought their first ever title at the grade.
Monaleen got to the grips with the West side in the second half and were level on 49 minutes.
Brian Geary’s goal soon after sealed the game for Monaleen who kept their opponents scoreless for the duration of the second half.
In the Intermediate Football Championship, Galbally would rise to the top as they defeated Oola in the final.
Bruree were crowned Junior A champions with Granagh Ballingary winning the Junior B Championship.
Hurling
In the Limerick SHC, Kilmallock won their first title since 1994 as they defeated Divisional side Emmetts in the final by 1-16 to 1-12.
The sides exchanged scores in the opening quarter of an hour before Graeme Mulcahy’s goal put some daylight between the sides.
The Balbec wouldn’t relinquish the lead from here as they held off the stiff challenge from their divisional neighbours to win a 9th ever title.
They would rech the Munster semi-finals but were beaten by Thurles Sarsfields.
Hospital Herbertstown came out on top in the Intermediate Hurling championship as they beat Dromin Athlacca 2-11 to 0-15 in the final.
Effin were crowned Junior A kingpins while Kileedy won the Junior B Championship a year after losing the final.
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