Sporting Limerick Soccer Moment of the Year

Undoubtedly, even the most optimistic Limerick soccer enthusiast could not have predicted anything but a grim 2020 due to the soul-destroying way in which it began. Exactly 12 months ago, the city’s senior soccer representative Limerick FC entered liquidation and would not compete in the national league for the first time since 1937.

This is not an article which intends to dwell on the events which followed as they have been discussed all too frequently since but the lack of a senior club in the third biggest city in the country brought a feeling of despair.

Fast forward a calendar year and a completely different feeling is engulfing the city and county at both junior and senior level. The formation of Treaty United under the cloud of legal battles was a positive in early 2020. There would be no men’s senior or underage teams, but a senior women’s side would compete in the Women’s National League and an U-17’s team competing at underage level.

R=Treaty United competed in the Women’s National League for the first time in 2020

The committee worked tirelessly to promote the club on social media and further afield and following the off-field turmoil of the previous 2 years, the partnership with both the LDMC and the LEDP was welcome.On the field of play, little was expected of the team due to the age profile, but an FAI Senior Cup Semi-Final appearance proved to be a particular highlight in an important first year.

Changing our concentration to the junior scene and a special mention must be given to the triumphant Aisling Annacotty side who won their first ever Munster Junior Cup following a narrow victory over fellow Limerick side Fairview Rangers.

Although the result came at a cost for one Limerick club, few could begrudge Aisling winning their first provincial title and the joy on many faces in the aftermath was testament to the magnitude of the achievement.

Aisling Annacotty players celebrate in the immediate aftermath of the Munster Junior Cup victory

While Fairview suffered heartbreak in Jackman Park that day, they did not have to wait long to create more history, winning their ninth FAI Junior Cup title and the Fairgreen outfit now extend their status as the most successful club in the history of the competition. A Clyde O’Connell header gave the Limerick side a 1-0 win over a fancied Usher Celtic and the only downside was the lack of supporters at the game due to Covid-19 restrictions.

In recent years, much has been made of the apparent decline of junior soccer in Limerick. There is no doubting that there is merit to the argument but 2020 was a year when the amateur scene in Limerick conquered all and at this moment in time, the FAI and Munster Junior Cups sit in the Treaty City along with the Oscar Traynor Junior and Youth trophies.

The Fairview team which defeated Usher Celtic to claim the FAI Junior Cup title

In contrast with the booming hurling scene and a recent upsurge in the form of Munster Rugby, soccer clubs and supporters were in dire need of a lift. Although it was difficult to call, any team who are victorious at national level deserve immense credit and the achievement of Fairview Rangers was a special moment in 2020 and will go down as the biggest moment for the sport in the city in what has been a very tough year all round.

Social Sharing

Posted in

Treaty United pair named in First Division Team of the Week

Chambers kept his third clean sheet of the season in Friday night's 0-0 draw with Cork City, aided ...
Read More

Desmond League: Rathkeale and Creeves among sides into Desmond Cup last eight

With everybody praying for good weather, there was thankfully minimal impact on fixtures as Sunday's rain came right ...
Read More
Tommy

“We had the better chances” – Mixed emotions for Tommy Barrett after Cork City draw

Tommy Barrett reacts to Treaty United 0-0 Cork City Treaty United manager Tommy Barrett says he is "slightly ...
Read More
Treaty United Cork City

Three thousand watch Treaty United battle to draw with Cork City

Treaty United earn draw against Cork City. With last week's away trip to Longford Town postponed, Treaty United ...
Read More

Treaty United welcome Cork City in top of the table clash

The sides have met before, and Treaty went unbeaten in their first season in senior football against their ...
Read More

Treaty United travel to Bishopsgate for Longford Town clash

Longford are bottom of the league table, having lost at home to Finn Harps and Cork City in ...
Read More

“Any point is a good point!” | Tommy Barrett speaks after Bray Wanderers draw

Speaking after the game Barrett stressed that "any point is a good point," but admitted that his side ...
Read More

Treaty blow two goal lead to battling Bray Wanderers | HIGHLIGHTS

With half-time approaching, it was time for Thomas Considine to show the Treaty faithful what he can do ...
Read More