GAA
Our Reeling in the Years of Limerick GAA continues today as we go back to 2013 to the scene of a joyous Munster Final in the Gaelic Grounds!
Catch out previous years.
2013
Hurling
National Hurling League
For the third consecutive year, Limerick operated in Division 1B where they once more topped the group table.
There were wins over Antrim, Carlow, Dublin and Offaly with a draw against Wexford in the final round.
This set up a final clash with Dublin in Semple Stadium with a place in Division 1 up for grabs.
Declan Hannon’s first half goal had Limerick 1-7 to 1-6 ahead with the lead stretched out to three with twenty minutes remaining.
Dublin would level on 62 minutes before pushing into the lead minutes later.
Seamus Hickey would reply for Limerick but Dublin would get the last score to win out 1-16 to 1-15 to secure promotion and condemn Limerick to another year in the second tier.
Munster Hurling Championship
In the Munster Championship semi-final, Limerick were paired with Tipperary in the Gaelic Grounds in a repeat of the previous years clash where Limerick threatened a first Munster championship win since 2007.
After firing out of the blocks in Thurles in 2012, Limerick were the team in front early on once more.
Taking the game to Tipp, Seanie Tobin’s first half goal had Limerick 1-7 to 0-7 ahead at the break.
Fifteen minutes into the second half and John O’Dwyer’s introduction had shifted the balance of the game with his tally of 1-3 helping Tipperary into a 1-13 to 1-9 lead.
However, where they folded under the Tipp onslaught 12 mnths previously, this Limerick side demonstrated their resolve to outscore the blue and yellow 0-9 to 0-2 down the home stretch to record a famous 1-18 to 1-15 win.
This secured a first Munster win and final berth in six years, a date with Cork in the decider.
Munster Hurling Final
In the decider, Limerick played host to Cork who were looking for a first title since 2006 while Limerick had to go back to 1996 for their last provincial win.
In a white hot cauldron, the sides played out a frantic opening half with neither able to properly gain the upperhand.
Hannon and Horgan traded scores as the game was perfectly poised at 0-10 apiece heading to the break.
In injury time in the first half Patrick Horgan received his marching orders for striking the helmet of Paudie O’Brien.
That swayed the game in Limerick’s favour as they would hold the numerical advantage for the remainder of the game.
Cork to their credit did not fold immediately but eventually Limerick made their numbers count as they outscored the Rebels heavily down the finish to seal a 0-24 to 0-15 win.
The final whistle was met with glorious scenes as the pitch was suddenly filled with joyous supporters as they watched Donal O’Grady lift the trophy for Limerick for the 19th ever time.
All-Ireland Semi-Final
Limerick’s reward for winning the Munster championship was a direct place in the semi-finals of the competition.
In Croke Park they would enter as favourites against Clare who had come through the back door under Davy Fitzgerald.
What would pan out in the capital will live long in the memories for all the wrong reasons as the Banner ran riot against the Treaty.
Clare won all the battles all over the field as they submitted Limerick into a 1-22 to 0-18 loss which could have been worse.
Limerick’s inaccuracy in the first half cost dearly as they hit ten wides.
Nonetheless, Limerick trailed by just seven at the break, 1-10 to 0-6 all while failing to show up.
Three Shane Dowling points at the start of the second half gave Limerick hope, briefly, as Clare kicked into gear once again to stroll into the All-Ireland final.
Elsewhere, Limerick were crowned Munster Minor Hurling Champions for the first time since 1984 as they defeated Waterford in a replay.
In the first game, which took place prior to the senior final, the sides couldn’t be separated as it finished in a 2-19 to 2-19 draw.
The sides would meet in the replay in Semple Stadium where Limerick finally got their hands on the silverware after a 1-20 to 4-8 win.
Richie English would captain the side which was laden in stars that would ultimately capture U21 honours in 2015 and Senior in 2018.
Limerick would fall in the All-Ireland semi-finals to Galway on the same day that the seniors were defeated by Clare.
Football
National Football League
Five wins and a draw from their seven outings in the league saw Limerick finish top of the Division 4 table.
Limerick beat London, Carlow, Offaly, Leitrim and Waterford, while drawing to Clare in earning the top spot.
This set them up to face Offaly in the Division 4 decider with promotion already secured.
Offaly started the better in Croke Park with Ross Brady netting to gve them a five point cushion after just 10 minutes.
Limerick’s response was emphatic as they were level at 0-8 to 1-5 at the break.
The sides exchanged scores in the second half with Eoghan O’Connor leveling for Limerick with five minutes to go.
Points from O’Connor and a 45′ from Seamus O’Carroll would seal a 0-16 to 1-11 win for Limerick and a second league title in four years.
Munster Football Championship
In the Provincial quarter-finals, Limerick were drawn with Munster champions Cork in the Gaelic Grounds.
Three first half goals from the Rebels effectively ended the contest prior to the second period as Cork cruised to a 3-17 to 0-8 victory.
Qualifiers
12 months after they needed extra time to separate them in the qualifiers, Longford were drawn with Limerick in round 1.
Seeking to avenge that defeat, Longford began with intent and held a double scores, 0-8 to 0-4 lead at the break.
Two quickfire goals from JJ Matthews and Francis McGee put the game out of sight foo Limerick who lost both Micheal Reidy and John Riordan to red cards as their season came to a premature end.
Cluc Championships
Hurling
Na Piarsaigh claimed their second title in three years as they defeated Adare 0-14 to 0-12 in the final.
The game ebbed and flowed in the first half before three unanswered from Na Piarsaigh saw them into a 0-8 to 0-5 lead at the half.
Adare were level within 12 of the restart before Kevin Downes pushed the City side ahead once more.
Adare fought back but could not get on level terms with Na Piarsaigh who were able to grind out the win.
It was a huge turnaround for the Caherdavin side who lost to the same opponents by 17 points in the ’09 final.
As they did in 2011, Na Piarsaigh followed up on the Limerick win by claiming Munster honours, accounting for Loughmore Castleiney and Passage before beating Sixmilebridge 4-14 to 0-8 in the final.
Loughiel Shamrocks would prove a step too far in the All-Ireland semi-final with the Ulster men winning out after extra time.
In the Intermediate Hurling Championship, Dromin Athlacca would come out on top defeating Knockaderry 2-18 to 1-15 in the final year before the introduction of the Premier Intermediate Championship.
Feenagh Kilmeedy and Templeglantine would run out winners in the Junior A & B Championships respectively.
Football
Drom Broadford completed their third back to back Limerick SFC win since the turn of the century as they beat Monaleen 2-9 to 2-7.
Darragh Bonfil’s goal gave Monaleen the early advantage but Micheal Reidy’s penalty had Drom 1-4 to 1-1 ahead at the half,
Kilian Phair’s goal was followed by three successive Drom scores that saw them sail into a eight point lead middway through the second half.
Monaleen responded with four quickfire points before Ger Collins netted to bring the gap down to one.
However Garrett Noonan’s late score would settle any Drom nerves as they secured a seventh ever title.
Rathkeale completed their journey to the senior championship after they beat Oola 4-17 to 1-10 in the IFC decider.
This came just two years after they were crowned Junior champions.
Feenagh Kilmeedy completed the Junior A double as they won out the football championship.
Feohanagh Castlemahon were crowned Junior B Champions.
Social Sharing
Latest GAA News
