THEY say ‘an army marches on its stomach’, and Limerick’s army of hurling supporters are preparing to march on Croke Park for Sunday’s All-Ireland SHC Final showdown with Cork, on a winning diet of green ice-cream and cocktails.
Today, staff at Bobby Byrnes pub, restaurant, and adjoining shop, kept supporters heads cool with green deserts, cocktails, milkshakes, and creamy green pints, as the hunt for match tickets reached fever-pitch.
“We are keeping the heads calm and cool, there’s loads of chatter about the game and people are really looking forward to it,” said proprietor Robert Byrnes.
Like almost every other pub in the city and county, Byrnes’ tables are fully booked up for the 134th final.
“We have eight televisions in the pub so everyone should have a good view of the match — We’re ready to go, we’ve dyed all our ice cream and milkshakes green and customers also have the option of having a green pint of Guinness and the staff are all dressing up for the game,” Mr Byrnes added.
2020 Champions Limerick are looking to spice things up on Sunday by winning back-to-back titles for the first time, ever.
Limerick’s hurling anthem, “Limerick You’re A Lady” beamed out of pubs and shops as the last of the hats scarfs and banners were snapped up ahead of the weekend pilgrimage to Croker.
The talk around town is that the moons are aligned for a Treaty victory, with Sunday also marking the centenary of the first All-Ireland SHC final when the Liam MacCarthy Chip was presented — and the winners on the day were Limerick!
The 1921 Championship final, with Limerick defeating Dublin, wasn’t played until 1923 due to the Irish Civil War.
Admission to Croker on the day was one shilling for adults and 6p for schoolboys, but those lucky enough to get their hands on a golden ticket for this Sunday’s final will have forked out an eye-watering €90.00.
Local landmarks have been lit up green and a giant Limerick flag has been draped across King John’s Castle, to inspire the green and white army.
While hopes are strong for victory over an improved Cork team, many here believe Limerick will need to have all their armoury to quell the rising red tide that threatens to spoil the party on Shannonside.
Following a spirited exchange of letters, the First Citizens of both participating counties met on the border in a raise of hurleys at high-noon today.
Limerick Mayor, Daniel Butler, said locals were “witnessing a golden era of Limerick hurling” as the Treaty appear in their third final in four years.
“The team’s drive, commitment, grace under pressure and self-belief has made them one of the greatest hurling teams, who we are all confident will win out on Sunday,” said Mayor Butler.
Earlier he told his Cork counterpart, Lord Mayor Colm Kelleher Liam MacCarthy was going nowhere near Leeside: “While I can imagine how anxious you are to see Liam again, I am certain that we will give you a very clear answer on Sunday, and let you have a look at him before he returns to Limerick.”
The green and white party continues online at #Luimneach Abu
