The Limerick county hurling team represents Limerick in hurling and is governed by Limerick GAA, the county board of the Gaelic Athletic Association. The team competes in the three major annual inter-county competitions; the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship, the Munster Senior Hurling Championship and the National Hurling League.

Limerick
Sport:Hurling
Irish:Luimneach
Nickname(s):The Treaty County
The Shannonsiders[1]
County board:Limerick GAA
Manager:John Kiely
Captain:Declan Hannon
Home venue(s):Gaelic Grounds, Limerick
Recent competitive record
Current All-Ireland status:W in 2023
Last championship title:2023
Current NHL Division:1 (W in 2023)
Last league title:2023
First colours
Second colours

Limerick's home ground is Páirc na nGael, Limerick. The team's manager is John Kiely.

The team last won the Munster Senior Championship in 2024, the All-Ireland Senior Championship in 2023 and the National League in 2023.

History

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Limerick's first outright success in hurling was achieved when the Kilfinane club defeated Kilkenny GAA club Tullaroan in the final of the 1897 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship (SHC). At that time, counties were represented by champion clubs.

Limerick won the 1918 All-Ireland SHC, then repeated the feat in the 1921 All-Ireland SHC when the team won the inaugural Liam MacCarthy Cup. The team that achieved those wins featured many players who contested eight consecutive Munster Senior Hurling Championship (SHC) finals (1917–1924 inclusive), a record that has never been equalled.[citation needed]

The 1930s were the salad days[vague][clarification needed] of Limerick hurling, an era in which the county won five consecutive National Hurling League (NHL) titles, a record still unequalled.[citation needed] Those titles were won in 1933–34, 1934–35, 1935–36, 1936–37 and 1937–38. Limerick also won four consecutive Munster SHC titles, and remains the only team other than Cork to have done so. After winning All-Ireland SHC titles in 1934 and in 1936, another All-Ireland SHC title followed in 1940. The team from this era did much to raise the profile of the sport: whereas around 30,000 people attended the 1930 All-Ireland SHC Final, attendances had risen to 50,000 by the 1940 final and players such as the Mackeys (John and Mick), Ryans (Timmy and Mick), Clohesseys (Dave and Paddy), Bob McConkey and Paddy Scanlon were recalled[by whom?] for decades afterwards. Victory in 1940 left Limerick with six All-Ireland SHC titles and as the only team from outside the "big three" (Cork, Tipperary and Kilkenny) to have won more than one All-Ireland SHC title. Dublin had at that stage also six All-Ireland SHC titles but no native of that county had played on any of its winning teams. Limerick won a sixth NHL title in 1946–47 but success soon became a rarity.

Limerick won the 1970–71 NHL title and soon followed this by winning the 1973 All-Ireland SHC, its seventh title. Four further NHL titles followed that century: 1983–84, 1984–85, 1991–92 and, lastly, 1997.

In the early 2000s, Limerick won three consecutive All-Ireland Under-21 Hurling Championship titles (2000–2002).

In 2007, Limerick defeated Tipperary in a Munster SHC semi-final known as the Trilogy, as three games were required to separate the teams. The final scoreline of the second replay was 0–22 to 2–13. An attendance of 30,608 spectators witnessed Limerick defeat Tipperary for the first time since 1996. Limerick had not won a match in the Munster SHC since a 2001 comeback against Waterford, to a Munster SHC final the team subsequently lost to the "monkey on their back" or, as Seamus Hickey referred to them, "gorilla", Tipperary.[citation needed] However, Limerick subsequently lost the Munster SHC final to Waterford in Thurles on 8 July. The team regrouped and, in its All-Ireland SHC quarter-final on 29 July, defeated Clare by a scoreline of 1–23 to 1–16. Andrew O'Shaughnessy was named man of the match. On 12 August, Limerick played Waterford in the All-Ireland SHC semi-final, a rematch of the Munster SHC final that had been played a month previously. The result, though, was not the same. Limerick defeated Waterford by a scoreline of 5–11 to 2–15. The goals came from Donie Ryan (2), Andrew O'Shaughnessy (2 - one from play and one penalty) and Brian Begley (1). O'Shaughnessy was again named man of the match. This result meant that Limerick had qualified for the 2007 All-Ireland SHC Final, held at Croke Park on 2 September. Kilkenny defeated Limerick by a scoreline of 2–19 to 1–15.

With many[who?] predicting that Limerick would soon secure Munster and All-Ireland SHC titles, the team was drawn against Clare in the first round of the 2008 Munster SHC. However, Clare won by a scoreline of 4–12 to 1–16, eliminating Limerick from the Munster SHC. That result also led to Limerick advancing to a game against Offaly, as part of a newly revised All-Ireland SHC qualifying system. Limerick lost again, this time by a scoreline of 3–19 to 0–18, and the team's season came to an end.

Limerick opened against Waterford in the 2009 Munster SHC, with the game ending in a draw. Limerick narrowly lost the replay. That result led to Limerick advancing to the 2009 All-Ireland SHC qualifier series, where they defeated Wexford and Laois in tight affairs, then Dublin in an All-Ireland SHC quarter-final, to reach an All-Ireland SHC semi-final against Tipperary. Tipperary won that game comfortably, by 22 points, and Limerick's season was over. In the weeks that followed manager Justin McCarthy dropped 12 players (who only found out via the Irish Examiner) and a further 12 players withdrew from the panel in protest and refused to return as long as McCarthy was in charge. The Limerick County Board held three meetings in which it was decided McCarthy would be retained. Limerick were relegated from Division 1 of the 2010 NHL, losing all eight games. Limerick lost to Cork in the first round of the Munster SHC, then lost to Offaly in a 2010 All-Ireland SHC qualifier. In total Limerick lost its 10 matches by an average of 15 points. McCarthy subsequently resigned as manager. In September 2010, Dónal O'Grady was appointed as manager.

Limerick improved dramatically in the 2011 NHL, winning nearly every game and being promoted to Division 1 only to later end up in Division 1B.[how?] Limerick lost against Waterford in the Munster SHC, with John Mullane eventually scoring a late goal. Limerick then advanced the 2011 All-Ireland SHC qualifiers, defeating Wexford and also (comprehensively) defeating Antrim, to reach an All-Ireland SHC quarter-final against NHL title holder Dublin. Dublin won that game by a scoreline of 3–13 to 0–18, ending Limerick's season. O'Grady resigned as manager a few months later over his determination that he intended to stay as coach for only one year.

In October 2011, John Allen was appointed as manager. Inadequate fitness levels contributed to defeats against Clare in the Division 1B Final and against Tipperary in the Munster SHC in Allen's first year. However, an extensive specifically designed summer fitness course led to a marked improvement, then a creditable losing performance against Kilkenny in the 2012 All-Ireland SHC quarter-final offered hope for 2013. As in 2012, Dublin (managed by Anthony Daly) defeated Limerick in the 2013 NHL Division 1B Final.[2] That summer would bring a pitch invasion by spectators as Limerick won a first Munster SHC title since 1996. The celebrations contributed to a loss of focus, leading Clare to win the 2013 All-Ireland SHC semi-final against Limerick at Croke Park.

The 2018 season concluded with Limerick winning the 2018 All-Ireland SHC, the team's first since 1973, with a 3–16 to 2–18 point defeat of Galway in the final.[3] The team built on this success, winning the NHL in 2019, 2020 and 2023, the Munster SHC in 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022 and the All-Ireland SHC again in 2020, 2021 and 2022. Munster Senior Hurling Championship 2023, All Ireland Hurling Championship 2023 to be forever remembered the team to join the Cork hurling Champions of the 40s and the Kilkenny hurling Champions of the 2000s to complete 4 in a row.

Supporters

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Musician Bruce Springsteen is a Limerick supporter.[4] Dolores O'Riordan was another supporter.[5] In the year of her death — when Limerick bridged a 45-year gap to win the 2018 All-Ireland SHC — "Zombie" by The Cranberries was adopted by the team as an anthem,[6] and another Cranberries song, "Dreams", was immediately played at Croke Park to coincide with the post-final festivities,[7] The team later brought the trophy to her family home.[8][9] Actor Bill Murray attended the 2022 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship semi-final victory over Galway at Croke Park, wearing a Limerick jersey.[10]

Colours and crest

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Kit evolution

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Classic kit

Limerick made a limited edition jersey available in 2021 to commemorate the county's 1921 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship Final win, which coincided with the first presentation of the Liam MacCarthy Cup. An image of that trophy adorned the jersey's sleeve.[11]

Limerick's jersey for the 2021 season went on sale on 24 March and had the titles of Limerick's 65 clubs across its front.[12]

Limerick released a new jersey in advance of the 2023 season.[13]

Current panel

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Team as per Limerick vs Waterford in the All-Ireland SHC semi-final, 7 August 2021

No. Player Position Club
1 Nicky Quaid Goalkeeper Effin
2 Seán Finn Right corner back Bruff
3 Dan Morrissey Full back Ahane
4 Barry Nash Left corner back South Liberties
5 Diarmaid Byrnes Right half back Patrickswell
6 Declan Hannon (c) Centre back Adare
7 Kyle Hayes Left half back Kildimo-Pallaskenry
8 William O'Donoghue Midfield Na Piarsaigh
9 Darragh O'Donovan Midfield Doon
10 Gearóid Hegarty Right half forward St Patrick's
11 Cian Lynch Centre forward Patrickswell
12 Tom Morrissey Left half forward Ahane
13 Aaron Gillane Right corner forward Patrickswell
14 Séamus Flanagan Full forward Feohanagh
15 Peter Casey Left corner forward Na Piarsaigh
No. Player Position Club
16 Barry Hennessy Substitute Kilmallock
17 Conor Boylan Substitute Na Piarsaigh
18 Ronan Connolly Substitute Adare
19 Colin Coughlan Substitute Ballybrown
20 Richie English Substitute Doon
21 Robbie Hanley Substitute Kilmallock
22 Graeme Mulcahy Substitute Kilmallock
23 Aaron Costello Substitute Kilmallock
24 Cathal O'Neill Substitute Crecora
25 David Reidy Substitute Dromin-Athlacca
26 Pat Ryan Substitute Doon

INJ Player has had an injury which has affected recent involvement with the county team.
RET Player has since retired from the county team.
WD Player has since withdrawn from the county team due to a non-injury issue.

Recent call-ups

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Manager John Kiely named four new men in his squad ahead of the 2021 National Hurling League.[14] Those not listed above are included below.

The following players have also been called up to the Limerick panel.

Pos. Player Club Latest call-up
? Colin Coughlan Ballybrown
? Cathal O'Neill Crecora-Manister
? Tom Hayes Doon
? Barry Murphy Doon
DF Paddy O'Loughlin[15] Kilmallock v. Waterford  , 13 December 2020, All-Ireland Championship Final

Current management team

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As of December 2020:[16]
Notes
  1. ^ Mark van Drumpt died of cancer on 18 February 2021.[17][18]

Managerial history

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Name Club From To All-Ireland titles Munster titles National League titles
Dick Stokes
Jackie Power
Sean Cunningham
Denis Barrett
Jim Quaid
Pallasgreen
Ahane
Doon
Bruff
Feohanagh-Castlemahon
1972 1975 1973 1973, 1974
Dick Stokes
JP Ryan
John Mulcahy
Kevin Long
Phil Bennis
Pallasgreen
Garryspillane
Cappamore
Feenagh-Kilmeedy
Patrickswell
1975 1976
Noel Drumgoole Na Piarsaigh 1977 1982 1980, 1981
Brother Michael O'Grady Patrickswell 1982 1984 1983-84
Noel Drumgoole Na Piarsaigh 1984 1986 1984-85
Éamonn Cregan Claughaun 1986 1988
Liam O'Donoghue
Donie Flynn
Tony Hickey
Mungret St. Pauls
Killeedy
Murroe-Boher
1988 1989
Phil Bennis Patrickswell 1989 1989
Liam O'Donoghue
Donie Flynn
Tony Hickey
Mungret St. Pauls
Killeedy
Murroe-Boher
1989 1991
Phil Bennis Patrickswell 1991 1993 1991-92
Tom Ryan Ballybrown 1993 1997 1994, 1996 1997
Éamonn Cregan Claughaun 1997 2002
David Keane Adare 2002 2003
Pad Joe Whelahan Birr, Offaly 2003 2005
Joe McKenna South Liberties 2005 2006
Richie Bennis Patrickswell 2006 2008
Justin McCarthy Passage West, Cork 2008 2010
Dónal O'Grady St. Finbarr's, Cork 2010 2011
John Allen St. Finbarr's, Cork 2011 2013 2013
TJ Ryan
Dónal O'Grady
Garryspillane
St. Finbarr's, Cork
2013 2014
TJ Ryan Garryspillane 2014 2016
John Kiely Galbally 2016 Present 2018, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 2019, 2020, 2023

Players

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Notable players

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Records

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Most appearances

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Top scorers

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Aaron_Gillane is Limerick's all-time top scorer in league and championship (with a total of 28–531 in 76 appearances as of 2024) overtaking Gary Kirby (with a total of 41–488 in 107 appearances).

All Stars

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Limerick has 90 All Stars, as of 2023. 41 different players have won, as of 2023. Joe McKenna won six All Stars.

Bold denotes that a player also won Hurler of the Year for the year in question.

1971: Pat Hartigan, Éamonn Cregan
1972: Pat Hartigan2nd, Éamonn Cregan2nd
1973: Pat Hartigan3rd, Jim O'Brien, Seán Foley, Richie Bennis, Éamonn Grimes
1974: Pat Hartigan4th, Joe McKenna
1975: Pat Hartigan5th, Joe McKenna2nd, Éamonn Grimes2nd
1978: Joe McKenna3rd
1979: Joe McKenna4th
1980: Leonard Enright, Joe McKenna5th, Éamonn Cregan3rd
1981: Leonard Enright2nd, Liam O'Donoghue, Joe McKenna6th
1983: Leonard Enright3rd
1984: Paudie Fitzmaurice, Paddy Kelly
1991: Gary Kirby
1992: Tommy Quaid, Ciarán Carey
1994: Joe Quaid, Dave Clarke, Ciarán Carey2nd, Mike Houlihan, Gary Kirby2nd, Damien Quigley
1995: Gary Kirby3rd
1996: Joe Quaid2nd, Ciarán Carey3rd, Mark Foley, Mike Houlihan2nd, Gary Kirby4th
2001: Mark Foley2nd
2007: Brian Murray, Ollie Moran, Andrew O'Shaughnessy
2013: Richie McCarthy
2014: Seamus Hickey, Shane Dowling
2018: Seán Finn, Richie English, Dan Morrissey, Declan Hannon, Cian Lynch, Graeme Mulcahy
2019: Aaron Gillane, Seán Finn2nd
2020: Nickie Quaid, Seán Finn3rd, Dan Morrissey2nd, Diarmaid Byrnes, Kyle Hayes, Gearóid Hegarty, Cian Lynch2nd, Tom Morrissey, Aaron Gillane2nd
2021: Seán Finn4th, Barry Nash, Diarmaid Byrnes2nd, Declan Hannon2nd, Kyle Hayes2nd, William O'Donoghue, Darragh O'Donovan, Gearóid Hegarty2nd, Cian Lynch3rd, Tom Morrissey2nd, Séamus Flanagan, Peter Casey
2022: Nickie Quaid2nd, Barry Nash2nd, Diarmaid Byrnes3rd, Declan Hannon3rd, Gearóid Hegarty3rd, Kyle Hayes3rd, Aaron Gillane3rd
2023: Dan Morrissey3rd, Diarmaid Byrnes4th, Kyle Hayes4th, William O'Donoghue2nd, Darragh O'Donovan2nd, Tom Morrissey3rd, Aaron Gillane4th

Honours

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National

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Provincial

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Other

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References

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  1. ^ "Galway issue statement of intent as Tribesmen hand Limerick first defeat since July 2019". Irish Independent. 16 May 2021. There was also a stirring cameo from Joe Canning, making his first appearance since last year's All-Ireland semi-final defeat to the Shannonsiders.
  2. ^ Cullen, Damian (6 April 2013). "Dublin return to hurling's top table at Limerick's expense". The Irish Times. Dublin manager Anthony Daly celebrates at the final whistle after his side's victory over Limerick in the Allianz Hurling League Division 1B Final at Semple Stadium.
  3. ^ "New green wave ends 45 years of heartache for Limerick". Irish Examiner. 20 August 2018. Retrieved 21 August 2018.
  4. ^ Russell, Adrian (18 June 2013). "Hurling fan Bruce Springsteen dedicates Glory Days to Limerick's Munster heroes". The42.ie. Retrieved 18 June 2013. Just forty-eight hours before Bruce Springsteen plays on Cork's Páirc Uí Chaoimh's famous pitch, The Boss outed himself as a Limerick hurling fan last night.
  5. ^ Blake Knox, Kirsty (2 January 2014). "Hurling fan Dolores gets hands on McCarthy cup". Independent.ie.
  6. ^ Baker, Luke (14 October 2023). "Zombie: Why Ireland's Rugby World Cup anthem is causing controversy". The Independent. Retrieved 14 October 2023.
  7. ^ Raleigh, David (6 September 2018). "'Heartbroken' family of Dolores O'Riordan miss her 'every single day'". [The Irish Times. It's just so poignant that, at the moment she's all over the radio in Limerick too, because of the Limerick hurler's[sic] All-Ireland victory – she'll be forever synonymous with it. A few weeks ago in Croke Park, O'Riordan's Dreams had toasted the Limerick hurler's[sic] All-Ireland hurling victory.
  8. ^ Raleigh, David (24 August 2018). "Liam MacCarthy makes emotional visit to home of Dolores O'Riordan on tour of Limerick". Irish Examiner.
  9. ^ Raleigh, David (24 August 2018). "Childhood home of Dolores O'Riordan welcomes Liam MacCarthy Cup: Mother of late Cranberries singer says Dolores was 'a great hurler'". The Irish Times.
  10. ^ Breslin, Aoife (3 July 2022). "American actor Bill Murray spotted in the crowd at All-Ireland semi-final". Irish Independent.
  11. ^ "Limerick release special limited edition 1921 commemorative jersey". Hogan Stand. 8 March 2021.
  12. ^ "Liam MacCarthy Cup holders new jersey now available to buy". Hogan Stand. 24 March 2021.
  13. ^ "Limerick unveil new home jersey ahead of 2023 season". Hogan Stand. 10 November 2022.
  14. ^ "Four new faces in Limerick squad". Hogan Stand. 4 May 2021.
  15. ^ "Limerick All-Ireland winner Paddy O'Loughlin opts out of Treaty hurling panel for 2021". Sky Sports. 5 May 2021.
  16. ^ O'Kane, Cahair (18 December 2020). "Limerick's from last week". The Irish News.
  17. ^ "Death Notice of Mark Van Drumpt". RIP.ie. 18 February 2021.
  18. ^ "'He was an incredible man' — Hegarty dedicates Hurler of the Year award to late Limerick physio". The42.ie. 22 February 2021.
  19. ^ "Success for Limerick Hurlers in Waterford Crystal Cup action". Irish Examiner. 2 February 2015. Retrieved 2 February 2015.
  20. ^ "LIMERICK 0–16 CLARE 0–10". Munster GAA. 15 January 2018. Retrieved 15 January 2018.
  21. ^ "Limerick 1–32 Cork 0–20". Munster GAA. 11 January 2020. Retrieved 23 January 2020.
  22. ^ "Extra special win for Limerick". Irish Examiner. 4 August 2011. Retrieved 4 August 2011.
  23. ^ "Munster U21HC final: Treaty Lynch Banner". Hogan Stand. 30 July 2015. Retrieved 30 July 2015.
  24. ^ "Munster U21HC final: Treaty battle past Rebels". Hogan Stand. 26 July 2017. Retrieved 26 July 2017.
  25. ^ "Limerick end 29-year wait for Munster title in style". Irish Examiner. 24 July 2013. Retrieved 24 July 2013.
  26. ^ "Munster MHC final replay: Treaty surge to break Deise resistance". Hogan Stand. 22 July 2014. Retrieved 22 July 2014.
  27. ^ "Limerick round off glorious year with Fenway Classic victory in Boston". The Irish Times. 18 November 2018. Retrieved 20 November 2018.