Watch | Billy Lee “delighted” as Limerick men book promotion and League final spot in Croke Park

The Limerick footballers earned promoted to Division 2 for the first time in fifteen years after win over Fermanagh at the weekend

Billy Lee’s Limerick side were too good for Fermanagh on Sunday beating them comfortably in the TUS Gaelic Grounds to seal their place in the second tier of the League for 2023.

Limerick were full value for their 1-16 to 0-14 win as they led for the majority of the contest to book their place in next weekend’s League final with Louth.

Reflecting on the win, Limericks second promotion in three years, Lee said that promotion didn’t enter the mindset throughout.

“Them lads have put everything into it. I’m delighted for them. At the start of the year, this was the last thing on my mind certainly, I don’t know about anyone else. We had this ambition internally just to strive to the top half of the league that was our aim. We weren’t thinking promotion.

“It’s all about the group and the unity in the group. Keeping that competitiveness and see how you go about it.”

After beating Longford in the first round in the TUS Gaelic Grounds, Limerick really lad down a marker with a win in Corrigan Park over Antrim. And while Lee was slow to get ahead of himself, the result hinted at something special.

“(On the win in Antrim) That day above was more than football, I believe we didn’t beat Northern teams up to that point in time so there was that bit more in it there. It was great to get four points at that point in time because I was thinking three points might keep us safe at the least.

“I put promotion to the side because I knew how evenly balanced this division was.”

Limerick’s reward for the win is not only division two football next year but also ensures a League final with Louth in Croke Park this Saturday, as Lee looks forward to another game for this side.

“It’s great. It’ll be a great occasion for the lads to play on the hallowed turf in Croke Park and we’ll enjoy it, it’s another game for us.”

Looking forward to it, we’ll take on Louth and see how it goes”

And with Dublin and many more All-Ireland contenders in division two next year, Lee had a timely response.

Watch the full interview below: