Two Limerick hurling clubs received Civic Receptions from Limerick County Council at County Hall, Dooradoyle this week.
The South Liberties Intermediate Hurling Team won the Munster Intermediate Club Hurling Championship while Blackrock Junior Hurling Team became the first Limerick Club to win the All-Ireland Junior Club Hurling Championship in February.
Addressing players and management from both clubs today, Cathaoirleach of Limerick County Council Cllr. David Naughton said: “A Civic Reception is the highest accolade at the disposal of Limerick County Council for any individual, group or organisation and one that is, for those in receipt of it this evening, thoroughly deserved.”
Commenting on South Liberties 2009 season, Cllr. Naughton stated: “For the Parish of Knockea/Donoughmore and the villages of Ballyneety, Ballysheedy and Drombanna, 2009 was a year to remember. Despite their defeat in the All Ireland semi-final, the South Liberties club successfully managed to re-establish itself as a force to be reckoned with on the club scene.”
“The hurlers and management team of South Liberties should be proud of their achievements, none bigger than instilling a great sense of pride among members of the local community. By providing the GAA Club with a Civic Reception, Limerick County Council is acknowledging the efforts of a spirited and successful group of individuals who have brought great honour to their community and the entire County”, he added.
South Liberties’ long awaited Munster Final win followed defeat in six finals in the past 12 to 13 years, including one in a replay.
After their win over Ballybrown in a thrilling 2009 County Final, South Liberties went on to defeat Whitegate before launching a dramatic second half comeback against Douglas of Cork to capture the Munster Championship title. They travelled to Ruislip in London to take on St Gabriels in the All Ireland quarter final before their memorable journey came to an end – narrowly losing out to eventual All-Ireland winners St. Lactan’s of Freshford.
Meanwhile, Cllr. Naughton paid tribute to the members of the Blackrock Junior Hurling Team who he said were “an enormous source of proud for everyone in the Parish of Kilfinane and Ardpatrick”.
He continued: “At the beginning of 2009, few of the club members or supporters would dared to have dreamed of contesting an All Ireland final. Winning the County Final was a significant achievement for the club but what followed will forever go down in the club’s history as a milestone.”
“Furthermore, the players and management have acted as wonderful ambassadors for Limerick and have proven that success can be achieved with the right mix of team spirit and effort. Sport has a wonderful ability to bring people together and also provides us with inspiring stories of individuals and teams overcoming seeminginly insurmountable challenges”, added the Cathaoirleach.
The ‘Rockies’ journey to the All-Ireland Final began in the summer when they came through 7 games in the South Junior Championship, before seeing off the challenges of Feohanagh, Doon and Effin in the quarter final, semi final and county final respectively.
Just two weeks before Christmas the club captured the Munster title thanks to a last minute win by a point over Fermoy of Cork. The club had previously beaten Aherlow of Tipperary in the semi-final.
The hurlers then went on to defeat Black and Whites of Kilkenny by 1-18 to 1-11 in late January before two weeks later claiming Limerick hurling’s first ever All-Ireland junior club hurling championship crown with a 1-18 to 0-9 defeat of Tyrone’s Naomh Colum Cille at Croke Park.
The South Liberites team pictured (top) as the inpho.ie picture shows Brendan Hennessy celebrating Blackrock’s victory (left)
