LIMERICK v Cork, Treaty v Rebels, green v red, John Kiely v Ben O’Connor. Despite their differences, passion for their senior hurling teams runs through these two counties like the Shannon and the Lee.
The counties collide like tectonic plates from Kilbehenny in the east to near Mountcollins in the west with Charleville at the epicentre.
Limerick Live visited JR O’Connor’s Bar in the North Cork town, owned by former Limerick hurler Clem Smith, ahead of the Munster final this Sunday.
Everybody was firmly in the Limerick or Cork camp except adorable baby Anna Louise Shortt who was sporting a half-and-half jersey.
Mum Aisling Carroll is a proud Rebel from Charleville while dad Damien Shortt, Banogue, bleeds green. They are letting their daughter make up her own mind in the years to come as they live right on the border in Creggane. Anna Louise can’t lose on Sunday!
All the talk in the town is the hunt for tickets and the absence of Cork’s captain and Charleville’s most famous son, Darragh Fitzgibbon.
John Kiely’s men have qualified for a record extending eighth Munster final on the trot, having reached each final since 2019. However, it was Cork who brought their hopes of seven-in-a-row back to earth after penalties last year.
The men in red have replaced Clare as Limerick’s biggest rivals in Munster but there is no bad blood between the fans.
“No, never,” said Clem, who has been the proprietor of JR O’Connor’s for 11 years.
“There is great craic in the bar and in Charleville itself. All supporters come to us and enjoy the banter. It's definitely a good vibe in the bar.
“I’d say 50% of the people in Charleville are Cork and Limerick marriages. There’s a massive connection, like there's as nearly as many Limerick people in Charleville between working, going to school, socialising and doing their daily shopping.
“There's always great banter and slagging about the matches and it’s all in good jest. It's a great place to be ahead of Munster Championship matches and it’s great that they’re both in the Munster final,” continued Clem, who had the privilege of captaining Limerick for a time during his eight years representing his county with pride. The Ahane man won League honours with Limerick in 1997 and three county titles with his club.
It is nearly all Limerick memorabilia in the pub, he says. “There's a few Cork jerseys but the Limerick ones are in more prominent positions in the bar than the Cork ones,” he smiles.
Clem hopes to go to SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Sunday but might have to miss out as the bar will be thronged.
There will be no shortage of takers for his tickets as with a capacity of just over 45,000 the ticket rush has been even bigger than recent All-Ireland finals involving Limerick, according to a county board source.
It is highly unlikely that any tickets will go on general sale as demand is outnumbering supply. Indeed, Cork supporters would probably fill the ‘Páirc’ on their own. The bookies can’t split the two teams with Limerick the slightest of favourites at 10/11 and Cork 11/10, and Clem agrees.
He points to the Cork players who won’t be togging out - Darragh Fitzgibbon, Christopher Joyce and Robbie O'Flynn.
“Anyone will tell you if you're going to win Munster finals or All-Irelands you're going to need everyone to be fit and ready and in form.
“We have Aaron Gillane back from his injury and Peter Casey is in good form after a serious injury a couple of years ago. Dan Morrissey is back on the team and Tom is chomping at the bit. We've a great squad and a great bunch of lads.”
Clem says home advantage for Cork will be huge but Limerick love a challenge.
“I think that would be the ultimate challenge for Limerick to beat Cork down there. I think there won't be much in it but I think Limerick will come out on top.
“I think Limerick's ability to get goals at vital times has been excellent this year and that might have been lacking over the last couple of years but it is definitely there in abundance this year. So I think that could be the telling factor in the game.”
Either way, Charleville will be hopping on Sunday night!
