Big Limerick fan and chef could be for the chop if Limerick win!
Culinary guru hopes Limerick are different gravy and triumph over boss Pat McDonagh’s Galway
MASSIVE Limerick hurling fan and executive chef in the Pat McDonagh-owned Castletroy Park Hotel, Fintan Ryan, hopes he won’t get the chop if Galway’s goose is cooked on Sunday.
Galway entrepreneur Pat has been sponsoring his home county’s hurlers for the last 35 years through his Supermac’s fast food restaurants.
“I hope not,” laughs Fintan, when asked if he is at risk of getting his P45 if his beloved Limerick beat the Tribesmen in the All-Ireland final.
“I’m in the Castletroy Park Hotel for 13 years so I know Pat fairly well. There is a good bit of banter between Limerick and Galway - it’s a nice friendly banter,” said Fintan, who hails from Claughaun.
Pat smiles when the same question is put to him regarding Fintan’s ongoing employment.
“He’s a staunch Limerick supporter but we have better camaraderie than that. If we win I hope I don’t get poisoned the next day I'm down there!” laughed Pat.
He says there is always excitement when you get to an All-Ireland final.
“I think it will be a great game - I think we have a 50-50 chance. Of course Limerick are hot favourites because they have earned that but we will be up there doing our best.
“I’m looking forward to it, it is unexpected this year for us to get into the final. It’s a repeat of the 2018 final,” said Pat, who is hoping for a different outcome.
The businessman said there is camaraderie between both counties and lots of interconnections. “May the best team win at the end of the day,” he said.
Fintan hopes there is a different outcome to the first All-Ireland he attended in 1980 when Galway had Limerick’s number.
The "absolutely huge” Limerick hurling fan was also at the 1994, 1996, 2007 finals before his and all long-suffering supporters’ prayers were answered in 2018. The season ticket holder never misses a game and has the day off from Pat to head to Jones Road with his sister Clare, her daughter Fiona and his niece Jade.
Will Limerick do it?
“I think they will. Galway are a good side but I think the Clare match will bring them on and the two weeks to get back together will help. They are a great bunch of lads. There is a huge bond in that team,” said Fintan, who hurled with Claughaun in his youth and had the great Eamonn Cregan as a coach.
If Galway dish up a performance for the ages and win, he says what the Limerick team has given supporters in the last eight years is massive. First up for Fintan is a Limerick GAA All-Ireland fundraiser in the Castletroy Park Hotel on Thursday where he and his team will be cooking for hundreds of guests.