In Pictures: Excitement builds in Patrickswell ahead of Limerick club hurling final

THERE is a vibrancy of excitement and anticipation in Patrickswell ahead of the 2023 Bon Secours Limerick Senior Hurling Final.

Historically champions on the greater number of occasions, 20 to be exact, Patrickswell senior hurlers are ‘really looking forward’ to facing Na Piarsaigh, Saturday, live on TG4, at TUS Gaelic Grounds at 5pm.

Reigning champions and opponents Na Piarsaigh will be ‘tough competitors’, but the outcome is always dependent on ‘the day’, according to Patrickswell GAA chairman John McDermott.

“Winning the semi-final was huge for us in Patrickswell, because getting into the final was an achievement in itself and here in Patrickswell, it is all about hurling.

“Every young lad and girl up and down the main street is really excited and looking forward to the final. The senior hurlers are huge supporters of the underage teams, too,” he explained.

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Having three Limerick players from the club on the team gives supporters a huge sense of pride, according to Mr McDermott, who said the time and effort that Cian Lynch, Aaron Gillane and Diarmaid Byrnes put back into the club is ‘phenomenal’.

“It is golden times, we cannot believe what times we are in with the success of the three Limerick lads. The way they galvanise the group when they come back in to play on club level is amazing.

“We have 36 on the panel and they are an unbelievable group of lads. Everyone ups their game when they see the three boys coming back, which is great to see!”

This will be the 30th time that Patrickswell will feature in the Limerick Senior Hurling Championship Final and despite being ‘confident’, they are ‘under no illusion’ that Na Piarsaigh ‘know how to perform in finals’.

“Na Piarsaigh are also a super team. They are well used to finals and know how to perform, so we need to make sure that our guys are prepared as well as they can be.

“Giving it your best shot is what matters on the day, but we know the whole parish will be behind us and we are expecting a good turnout of club colours in TUS Gaelic Grounds,” said the chairman.

Off the field, Patrickswell GAA grounds are to undergo renovations which will see the club add a second pitch to their existing one, which they will also get renovated as it is on a ‘slight incline’ on a hill. This will be the biggest redevelopment in the history of the club.

See our gallery for more pictures.