TOMMY Stack announced his retirement this week from Limerick inter county football. The Dromcollogher/Broadford club man made his senior debut in 2001 against Wicklow and was a main stay of the team up until 2007 when he left the scene for the first time. Last season, as Limerick marched towards the All Ireland quarter final, Tommy was asked back to the panel by manager Maurice Horan. With 2012 looming large on the horizon, Stack felt it was time to hang up the boots.
“I just felt that this season would have been a season too far for me really. That and coupled with a few shoulder injuries, I know that Limerick would be better served with someone else in the panel, rather than me.”
Stack, who played in the All Ireland quarter final against Kerry last season, feels that more youth is now needed for Limerick going into 2012.
“You can see that the side who came through together in 2000/2001 is now growing old together. The panel needs more youth and there was no point in me hanging around for the sake of it. That would not have been right for Limerick. The time is right now for me and the time if now right for others to come through and take their chances.”
Having played on the Limerick teams which took Limerick Football from being an oxymoron to being one of the top eight sides in the country, Stack has many great memories.
“The time spent with Limerick has been great. I really enjoyed last year. The Westmeath league final in Croke Park was a great game for us. We had some great battles against Kerry over the years and it leaves a small bit of regret with me that we did not win more major silverware”
When any player retires, the mind turns to the players that they have graced the field with. Stack lists Stephen Mc Donnell, (Armagh) Stephen O’Neill (Tyrone) and Colm Cooper (Kerry) as the best players he has faced. While asking Tommy to name the best he has played with, was too hard to pick. Tommy instead listed several Limerick players, who, when listed together just go to show how Limerick football has grown. Galvin, Quane, Mullane, Lavin, O’Donnell, Gavin and Reidy.
Limerick’s current manager Maurice Horan is full of praise for Stack. “He is an intelligent player. We drafted him in last season and he plugged in straight away. He is a fantastic corner back, which is a real specialist position to fill. Tommy always researched his opponents and it is something other players can learn from. Some of Tommy’s performances last season were immense. Tommy marked the oppositions main danger men in most games and he was a valuable asset to us and we will miss him this season, no doubt”.
Tommy, a teacher by day, has also decided to move on from his position as Limerick Ladies Football manager. “Time has come for change there too. I’ll have to stick to the commentary from now on, it’s easier on the shoulders”
