Mayor of Limerick backs senior hurlers to follow minor win
Moran hopes senior hurlers can follow example of their minor counterparts
MAYOR John Moran is backing Limerick’s senior hurlers to land their first All-Ireland title since 2023.
The first citizen will be in Croke Park on Sunday afternoon for the showdown against Galway, throw-in 3.30pm, and he hopes Limerick’s passionate fans will be the “16th man” driving John Kiely’s charges to glory.
Asked what it would mean for people across the county to win a sixth All-Ireland in 10 years, he said: “It would be enormous. We've had a number of All-Irelands in recent years, but I am old enough to remember when they were rarer.”
"Any All-Ireland is important. If you can win it, it proves you are the best team in the whole country and this is a massive achievement,” said the directly elected mayor.
Mayor Moran said it would be even more fitting if Limerick’s senior team were to triumph over Galway, given the minor hurlers success over Tipperary last month.
"To do the double would be unbelievable,” he acknowledged.
Mayor Moran was just seven years of age when Limerick triumphed in the 1973 final.
But it was actually a senior hurling final from four years later, in 1977, when Cork dispatched Wexford that represents one of his earliest memories – when he received a unique gift.
"I think the one which sticks most in my mind is one year there was a referee in Limerick called John O'Grady who lived next door to us. He refereed the 1977 All-Ireland final between Cork and Wexford. I'd have been 11, my younger brother would have been nine,” he said.
"At the time, they didn't use 100 sliotars like they do now. They'd have only had a small number of match sliotars . He gave Adrian and myself the sliotar from the All-Ireland final. It was a really big moment for us,” said Mayor Moran.
All going well, the first citizen will have another ‘big moment’ to enjoy at Croke Park this Sunday.
The minor hurlers are being given a civic reception – one of Limerick's highest honours – for their exploits in beating Tipperary last month.