Limerick’s Big Chance to Bridge the Gap to 1973

The ubiquitous Joe ‘Disco Joe’ McCarthy creating a little diversion from pre-match nerves outside Donal and Ann McAuliffe’s Pub in Abbeyfeale on 2007 All-Ireland Hurling Final day.  His audience includes: Philip Kavanagh with Michelle and Patrick Smith.
©Photograph: John Reidy 02/09/2007

It isn’t too often that us Kerry people get a chance to wish any of our neighbouring counties well in an All-Ireland final.

This year is one such rarity and, as neighbours should, I’m passing on my good wishes to our Limerick friends in their quest to win the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship and the Liam McCarthy Cup in Croke Park on Sunday.

Expert Views

Experts have been weighing up the strengths and otherwise of both teams during the week and predicting a close and exciting game along the lines of the classics we’ve had so far in the championship this season.

My head believes that with their no nonsense style of hurling and pin sharp passing Limerick can topple the reigning champions, Galway on Sunday – if they play as they did against Cork a couple of weeks ago.

But there’s a chunk of my heart in Galway and I’ll probably watch the game on Sunday with two lively little Galwegians and my heart will be with the westerners.

Photographs in Abbeyfeale

I was on photographic duty for The Kerryman in Abbeyfeale on an early September Sunday in 2007 when the county last attempted to win this coveted title

In that final they came up against a Kilkenny side on its way to hurling domination for years after and they fell at the final hurdle with a Kilkenny win on the scoreline of 2–19 to 1–15.

Limerick’s Hopes for Sunday

Can you imagine if Kerry didn’t win an All-Ireland football title for 45 years ? Then you can surely can empathise with the Limerick hurling faithful and their hopes for Sunday.

In 1973 they defeated Kilkenny by 1-21 to 1-14 and the heroes that come to mind include: Éamonn Cregan, Richie Bennis, Pat Hartigan, Joe McKenna, Éamonn Grimes, Liam O’Donoghue among others.

To accompany this piece I’ve gone into the archive and dusted off the Abbeyfeale 2007 pictures.

Good luck to them.

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