Only a puck of a ball between them
August 27, 2010Shane Fitzgibon played for senior hurling for Limerick for nine seasons in what can be only described as a baron period in terms of gathering silverware for this proud county. The capturing of that famous league title in 1992 against the auld enemy, Tipperary, may only be one of the few unique and precious memories that the Adare native has of victory in a green jersey, but it will never be forgotten.
Fitzgibon was a class hurler, no doubt about it. A prolific forward who in his fifteen championship appearances bagged nine goals for his beloved green and white. And as a player he tasted the good along with the bad of what the cruel world of the glorious Munster championship had to offer Limerick, late last century.
For the past three years however he and a band of hurling mad, die hard Limerick hurling folk namely, Frankie Carroll (Garrispillane), Joe Hannon (Adare), George Lee (Ahane), Ger Cunnigham (Knockainey) and Mike Galligan (Claughaun), have been preparing the next crop of intercounty hurling hero's and to great effect. This Saturday they travel to Mallow for the annaul Cork under 17 hurling tournament and with little to fear. "They (the team) have worked hard, prepared well, taken the training very seriously over the past number of summers, you want to see lads out there busting there backsides for Limerick and this group will do that" proclaims Fitzgibon in his third year at the helm. "We will be looking at guys and seeing how they perform under pressure, this is a development squad and by no means are these lads the finished articles and they will be getting an opportunity to test themselves against the best in the country at that age group." Says the former railway cup medal winner.
Indeed since getting involved with this team they have competed fiercely at all grades, getting to the All Ireland semi final last year but losing narrowly to Tipp. But however the face of the team hasn't remained the same in the last few seasons "each year we would have added 5 or 6 new fellas to the panel, the team would have changed dramatically over the years" and while a piece of silverware has not been on the team bus home from any major tournament so far, Fitzgibon states that "winning at this age is not important, winning games is, but winning the outright tournament isn't the goal at this age".
It always easy to know and recognise if someone has a passion for the game, a genuine love for his county and a true sense of trying to make it as successful on and off the field as possible, it's a rare trait nowadays, but there is no doubting the former Adare number six has it all and in huge abundance. "You look at all the ages (county teams in competition) for the last few years and we have been very competitive in all of them, were there, thereabouts all the time and that's only happening in the last few years, we have lads involved at county level and there doing huge work and are improving the standard at county level" and while the standard has improved Shane believes that "its all about developing players to play at senior level".
When the now infamous Lifting the Treaty proposal was being drafted the Adare man played a huge part. His stirring contributions to the visionary committee has helped shape the changing landscape of Limerick GAA. And who is in a better position to comment on the future than a man who has witnessed all the changes at first hand "I have to say I am extremely optimistic for Limerick at senior level for the next six years, from (age) 23 down to 17 there is some really good talent coming through, comparable with any county" but like all good things the Limerick GAA supporter needs to have patience, patience in the "new" improved system. "It not good enough for people to travel to matches and then criticise managers or boards and come back to there club and do nothing, the strength of your county lye's with the strength of your clubs" he explains. How true those lines are.
Success at intercounty level no matter what age has been limited with Limerick squads, indeed the word "rare" springs to mind to best describe how the absence of silverware has eluded us at all levels. People like Shane Fitzgibon haven't been afraid to step forward from the shadows, without men like him and his dedicated followers around him this county's fortunes would forever stay as they are. We have often heard the cry for leaders, at last one has emerged.
And the final word on Saturday's tournament "we try to freshen it up every year, approach it different, look there is only a puck of a ball between all four teams in Munster" he finishes.
Regardless of the outcome in Cork on Saturday, I doubt if it will be the last time that we will see Shane Fitzgibon wearing a Banisteoirs bib, patrolling the Limerick touchline.
Limerick will be based in the Mallow GAA complex this coming Saturday August 28th, for the duration of the Eugene Carey Memorial U17 tournament. They have been drawn in a group with Tipperary and Kilkenny with the winner of the group progressing to the Cup final and the second place team qualifying for the Plate final.
The first game throws in at 10.45am and Limerick will face Tipperary while the second game will pit us against Kilkenny at 2pm. The Cup final is scheduled for 3.45pm while the plate final will take place at 3.30pm, all in Mallow GAA grounds.
Panel members:
Barry Neville Ahane,
Conor O' Brien Mungret
Patrick Carroll South Liberties
Mark Carmody Patrickswell
Brian Murphy Fedamore
Chris O' Riordan Dromin/Athlacca
Liam Ryan Doon
Liam O' Dea Pallasgreen
Barry Lynch Feohanagh/Castlemahon
Seamus Hartnett Ahane
Ciaran Keogh Na Piarsaigh
Cathal Ryan Ahane
Brendan O' Connor Croagh/Kilfinny
Shane Dowling Na Piarsaigh
Padraig Aherne Adare
Conor Sheehan Cappamore
Dan Morrissey Ahane
Jack Aherne Kileedy
Mike Fitzgibbon Feohanagh/Castlemahon
David Reidy Dromin/Athlacca
Jason Lenihan Dromin/Athlacca
Darren Sheehy Effin
Padraig Ryan South Liberties
Patrick Drayne Mungret
Nigel Mann Ballybrown
PJ Hall Adare
By Ger Downes
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