“WE are going up, We are going up,” were the words sung by the Limerick FC supporters and players last Saturday night in Flancare Park, Longford.Limerick FC have been promoted to the Airtricity Premier Division for the first time in 20 years with one game remaining.
The Super Blues were promoted on Friday night without evening kicking a ball. Mervue United defeated second placed Waterford United 2-1. Alan Murphy’s goal secured Waterford and Limerick’s fate.
Chairman of Limerick FC, Pat O’Sullivan told PostSport this week how he learned of his side’s promotion to the top table.
“I work long hours every week and on Friday nights, if we don’t have a game, I like to relax at home. I had just fallen asleep when my wife Helen woke me up to tell me that my daughter wanted me on the phone.
“She told me that Mervue had gone one-nil up. Then it was one-all and I was close to panicking at that stage. I knew that something good had happened because at around 9.45pm, all our phones in the room started to ring at once.”
O’Sullivan, the man who will be credited with turning Limerick FC around from the brink of extinction to being promoted to the Premier League, was quick this week to ask for calm now that the promised land has been reached.
“It was brilliant to be promoted and we will have a great night this Saturday night in Jackman Park for the trophy presentation. We people ask me about investment in the club, I tell them that Limerick FC have some unbelievable talent already and we won’t be rushing out to buy just any old medal hunters. We will only be looking to bring in people who are similar to what we have. Someone with a little something special.”
Indeed, this Saturday night will be party night in Jackman Park for the last home game of the season.
Limerick will be presented with the First Division trophy after the game on a podium. The CBS pipe band will provide entertainment at half time and before the game. There will be marquee bars at the ground too, so fans can enjoy the night even more.
The final celebration of a fantastic season will take place on Friday November the 9th in Limerick Greyhound Stadium. Limerick FC will hold a victory celebration that night. Tickets went on sale this week for the night and are available from the usual Limerick FC ticket outlets.
Limerick’s game this Saturday night against Wexford Youths kicks off at 7.45pm. A night well worth being part of.
