Who in your opinion is the greatest loss to the Limerick Senior Footballers in the last 20 years?
Whether through injury, retirement, or sebatacle the reason matters little.....what I am looking for is a list of stalwarts who have donned the Green and White of the Treaty over the past decade, their club and a little snippet about them.

Then again there might be someone who you think should be a part of this ever improving Limerick Senior Football Squad and who might one day join this list of elite trojan servicemen.

Have your say here and a list of the top ten will be formulated and posted right here on Hoganstand.com in the near future.
Is Michael Reidy the Dromcollogher/Broadford marksman your pick or is it Joe Reddington "The Wirey Warrior".
Others that spring to mind are Monaleens Muiris Gavin "The Free Kick Maestro",or John "The Engine" Galvin from Croom.

Make sure your input is heard and post your opinion today!!

The Bard of Sliabh Luachra

JohnnyWalsh (Limerick) - Posts: 6 - 28/05/2008 06:45:26    24665

I'm not a Galtee Gaels man but John Quane would have to be there. Great servant to Limerick for around 13 years, he was playing for Limerick when the likes of Kilkenny were beating us in the league but never quit. He would be mentioned with the best midfielders in the recent past if he was from any other county (as would John Galvin). Such a pity he didn't at least get a Munster medal in 2004.

county man (Limerick) - Posts: 1155 - 28/05/2008 22:05:25    25206

I would also agree with J quane being nominated, I believe he and J Galvin were prob the best midfield pairing in the 2003/04 seasons when they ran Kerry extremely close on a couple of occassions. Would surely have won more accolades if he had decided to play for cork(as he was offered in the 90's). A true corner stone of Limerick football from the depths of div04 anononomity to the highs of the munster final appearances of 91' 03 & 04.
I would also recommend his midfield counterpart from the munster final of 91, I think his name was donal o neill (may be wrong on this) I remember watching him also in 91 and was struck by the fact that this man who played his club football with Faugh's in Dublin would still travel down to play with his native county- A guard with a conscience! No bad footballer either!!
Also think that Sean Kelly from NCW would be worth a place on the team, a tough competitior who unlike most Limerick forwards knew where the posts were.- I think he scored 2-1 in the 91 final- I could be wrong on this also!!!

dodgyknee (Limerick) - Posts: 129 - 29/05/2008 18:33:52    25771

great to see you have joined us johnny. we need a few wise heads like yours. keep up the good work in the observer

pigseye (Limerick) - Posts: 80 - 02/06/2008 17:17:42    26974

johnny mc Carty of st kierans his a master class footballer keeping st kierans and limerick afloat...truely one of the greatest players of our time and was awarded dublin player of the year 2 years ago and was mentioned as the most underrated player in ireland in the national irish independant....this man atleast deserves his place on your team mr walsh. if any one does not agree please give me a valid reason why this man doesnt deserve to?

westledgend (Limerick) - Posts: 170 - 03/06/2008 13:39:40    27378

Some info for Dodgy Knee: Donal fitzgibbon from Oola was John Quan'e midfield partner in '91. At the time, he played his club football with Parnells in Dublin and later won a Dublin championship medal with them. A class footballer, super athlete. He isn't a guard, though, as you suggest.

football first (None) - Posts: 1259 - 03/06/2008 21:03:44    27671

Here's '91 team
A Great Limerick Football Side

Richard Bowles: A native of the Oola club, he became a teacher and is currently based in Galway. He became immersed in coaching in that county, and was in charge of the Galway minor football team in the late 1990's. A current selector with the Galway ladies football team, his brother Patrick was on the Limerick minor football team that reached the 1997 Munster final.

Eugene Leonard (RIP): An outstanding servant to the game of football, he played much of his football with the Castleisland Desmonds club in County Kerry where he was based as a Garda. His brother Noel who was a Limerick senior hurler in the mid 80's was also on the panel for 1991 Munster final and both originally played with the Monaleen Club in Limerick.

Paddy Ivess: Another Garda and a native of the Kilcornan area near Askeaton. A superb full back, he would have been at his very best in 1988 when Limerick faced Cork in Askeaton. He tore knee ligaments soon afterwards meaning that by 1991 he was only a shadow of the player he once was. He still acquitted himself well though, and it is a testament to his resilience that he recovered from his injury to play at the highest level again.

Joe Reddington: A former coaching officer with Limerick GAA, he is now self-employed. Originally a Monaleen man, he is now heavily involved with the newly formed neighbouring Milford club. His brother John is a prominent sportswriter with the Limerick edition of the Evening Echo.

Paddy Barrett: Based in Clonakilty where his man of the match performance inspired them to victory in the Cork Senior Football championship of 1996. He was midfield in that game, but lined out at wing back in the 1991 Munster final. A dogged and wholehearted player he always gave 100% to the cause.

Tom Browne: Browne was based with Ballymun Kickhams in Dublin in 1991. A solid centre back who originally played for Na Piarsaigh in Limerick. The travelling from Limerick curtailed his involvement post 1991.

Liam Barrett: The ginger haired warrior from St Kieran's was captain for the final Affectionately known as Fox, he comes from a farming background and played some Rugby with Bandon RFC while working down there in the 1980's.

Donal Fitzgibbon: A native of Oola, he played his club football in Dublin at that time, but returned to play for Oola in the mid 1990's reaching a county semi final in 1997. A towering midfielder, he played his last game for Limerick that same year.

John Quane: Probably the greatest footballer to represent Limerick at any level, Quane was a fresh faced 20 year old in 1991. Despite being the best Limerick performer in their defeat to Derry this summer, he has retired from inter county football. His loss incalculable to the side and is one of only two Limerick players to tour Australia with the Irish compromise rules team.

Sean Kelly: The Newcastlewest man who was no stranger to the oval ball made a name for himself by scoring 2 outstanding goals that day. He was inspirational as Newcastlewest won the county title the following year.

pa (Limerick) - Posts: 14 - 05/06/2008 12:51:10    28618

Philip Danaher: Better known for his rugby prowess, his physical strength brought an added dimension to the team. He played in the centre for Ireland in rugby and captained them on a number of occasions. He didn't travel to the 1995 World Cup in South Africa due to business reasons, but was assistant to Warren Gatland at the 1999 World Cup. A shrew businessman, he is involved in fast food outlets in Limerick city.

PJ Garvey: Called into the team at the 11th hour in place of Dan Larkin who got injured the week before the final. From the Hospital Herbertstown club, he also played Hurling with Limerick, lining out against Wexford in the League semi final of 1993. A brother to Andy and Liam Garvey who were on the Limerick team that won the 1992 Hurling league title.

Timmy Cummins: The left legged silver fox was one of the greatest forwards ever to grace a Limerick football field. Originally from the Galbally club he was with Parnells of Dublin in 1991. He returned to win a county title with Galbally in 1994, but departed to win a county title with St Sylvesters of Dublin in 1996. He played his last game for Limerick in 1998 against Tipperary. However he went on to win an All Ireland masters title with Dublin a couple of years back and still plays at that level. His company Omega Security recently installed the state of the art security camera system in Croke Park.

Danny Fitz: The Claughaun mane was better known as a Limerick hurler, but was equally talented at both codes. He had all but retired from the inter-county arena until the persuasive skills of selector Johnny Wallace brought him into the fold. He was one of the stars of that Munster final scoring 0-4 from play and prompting Kerry to call Tom Spillane out of retirement for the All Ireland Semi Final against Down.

James O'Donovan: The well-known Oola businessman scored an early penalty in the game to give Limerick the lead. In a fools day prank this year he was named in the Limerick senior football team for a league game by Mal Keaveney on 95fm, setting tongues wagging throughout the county. He was a hurler of note representing Doon for many years, and he still lines out with Oola in the intermediate football championship using his experience to guide a youthful outfit. A possible successor to Liam Kerins as the next Limerick senior manager.

Dan Larkin: The St Kierans clubman was best known as a rugby player excelling with Garryowen in the AIL in the full back position. He was due to play at wing forward in the 1991 Munster final but got injured the week before the game in training. In the words of one selector of that time he was a huge loss to the side, possibly the difference between losing and winning the game.

Fintan Ryan: Affectionately known as Finty, the grey haired Askeaton forward came on as a substitute in the 1991 Munster final and scored a point. A legendary figure in Limerick club circles he was involved in the Limerick masters hurling team in recent years. His brother Haulie is a well-known referee who has officiated at Intercounty level.

pa (Limerick) - Posts: 14 - 05/06/2008 12:51:43    28619

Thanks for that Pa, brings back memories ! I was at the '91 match. Great game, to score 3-12 and still lose was gauling. we were 4 points up at half time but Kerry scoring 7 points in a row right after half time was the crucial period. And Kerry "scored" a point during the second half that was blatently wide, I was behind the goals and saw it perfectly. Might have been different if we were chasing a point rather than a goal at the end. We gave them a fright in '92 as well only losing by a goal. That was a decent Limerick team, pity they didn't have the qualifers in those days.

county man (Limerick) - Posts: 1155 - 06/06/2008 00:05:31    28960

Fantastic Pa..well done. There is one name I would like to add to that list. He was instrumental in getting Limerick to that final and was arguably the most talented of that excellent team. Liam Long from Glin changed the games against Tipp and Waterford in Limerick's favour.

I hope there are others who can testify to this but in the first round game against Tipp in Askeaton Limerick were in trouble at half time. Enter Liam Long and aside from having the ability to score three points it was his fielding, power and all round class that caught the eye.

A similar occurance in the semi final with Waterford led Limerick through to the final. Long only got to play the last 10 mins of the final, possibly due to the fact that we were winning and doing better than expected.

Anyone who has seen Liam Long play in those games or with his club will know what a talented player he was...one of the best to play in Limerick.

u22ok (None) - Posts: 45 - 06/06/2008 10:09:17    29040

Thanks for the update pa. That team of 91' really was one of the best football teams limerick have ever produced. I didn't know so many of the players listed were based in Dublin. It shows how much desire some fellas have to play with their county. That munster final was the 1st county match i went to watch and to this day it both inspires and galls me to think how good a team we were on the day scoring 3-12 and how unlucky we were to lose. In hindsight it should have prepared me for a life of pain and suffering that only a limerick GAA fan can appreciate.!

dodgyknee (Limerick) - Posts: 129 - 06/06/2008 17:39:17    29408

memories of those limerick clashs with cork in 87 and kerry in 88 in askeaton are still clear to me..limerick football lost a lot of romance when it decided to move to kilmallock or the gaelic grounds..askeaton was a sort of aughrim type environment and had a great surface..I agree with Pa's excellent analysis , a man I would mention though is Tom Buggy Fitzgerald of abbeyfeale who was one of the most talented forwards of the last 20 years and when the evening echo ran a team of the decade around the millenium he was definetly on it.....i recall seeing Limerick beating Mayo and derry in 1984 in Askeaton in the Centenary Cup..Timmy Cummins would nearly have to rank as one of the best forwards of all time for Limerick and I Saw him win a county for galbaly with one leg.....

hurler32 (Limerick) - Posts: 871 - 06/06/2008 23:22:32    29471

Due to keen interest by the footballing public I have decided to change the format of the aforementioned "Top Ten" and instead go for a different format.....a Limerick All Star team if you will with a starting fifteen and 7 substitutes. Even though this seems like a lot of players it will still no doubt cause contreversy amongst some. Although not everyone can be included i hope the choices that are made will be respected as Top Class Footballers and servants to the game and deserving of the honour of Cornerstones of Limerick Football.
I would like to thank all the various patrons of The Hogan Stand website for their input so far and urge more to make a contribution to this forum. As the old saying goes a rolling stone gathers no moss and as long as there is names and information incoming, the All Star team will not be announced until more research has been done and more information accumulated. Special mention must go to "pa" for the extremely in depth team report from th '91 Munster Final vs Kerry.
This information will prove invaluable in the coming weeks. I would also like to make special mention to a Newcastlewest stalwart who posted me some information to The Weekly Observer Sports desk in the recent days about a fellow west limerick gael who I also think is deserving of a place on the All Star Team for years of service to his club...one Tom McLoughlin.
Have your say at Hoganstand.com

Thanking you all for your input once again.

Go raibh mile maith agat.

The Bard Of Sliabh Luachra

JohnnyWalsh (Limerick) - Posts: 6 - 09/06/2008 07:15:34    29730

Johnny,

Surely somebody such as John Donovan from St. Kierans should be included in this panel...
I cannot think of a greater club man.. John was on the Limerick senior panel throughout the 90s and won a senior club title with Kierans in 1990 and also played in the County Final in 2005!!

HoleInTheHedge (Limerick) - Posts: 24 - 09/06/2008 16:24:32    30148

my team circa past 25 years 1. richard bowles(Oola) 2 Joe reddington (monaleen).3. Paddy ivess (askeaton) 4.Stephen lucey (Croom) 5. Johny McCarthy (st Kierans) 6. Tom Browne (na Pirasaigh)7.Damien reidy (Gerald Griffins) 8. John Galvin (croom) 9. Donal Fitzgibbon(Oola). 10 Anthony Moran (Ballysteen) 11. Sean Kelly (Ncw) 12. Stephen Kelly(NCW)13. Timmy Cummins(Galbaly) 14 Danny Fitzgerald (Claughaun) 15 Buggy Fitzgerald(Fr caseys)
Subs Eammon Scollard (Drom) ,John quane (galtee Gaels) Finty Ryan (askeaton) Liam Long (Glin)James O Donovan (oola)

hurler32 (Limerick) - Posts: 871 - 09/06/2008 22:35:21    30286

Hows About This???

(1) Seamus O'Donnell
(2) Nicky Kelly (3) Tom Hartnett (4) Liam Barrett
(5) Paddy Windle (6) Johnny Mac (7) Paudie Mac
(8) Sonny Crowley (9) Jim Donovan
(10) Declan Quaid (11) Pa Leahy (12) John Donovan
(13) Anthony Molyneaux (14) Jimmy Duggan (15) Tommy Greaney

HoleInTheHedge (Limerick) - Posts: 24 - 10/06/2008 15:25:16    30753

id have this team my self personly (1) Seamus O'Donnell
(2) Nicky Kelly (3) Tom Hartnett (4) Liam Barrett
(5) Paddy Windle (6) Johnny Mac (7) Paudie Mac
(8) Sonny Crowley (9) Jim Donovan
(10) owen hayes hahahahahAHA (11) Pa Leahy (12) John Donovan
(13) Anthony Molyneaux (14) Jimmy Duggan (15) Tommy Greaney

westledgend (Limerick) - Posts: 170 - 10/06/2008 22:51:30    30946