ALTHOUGH it started out way back in 1887 (137 years ago), the 2024 instalment is actually ‘just’ the 130th edition of the Limerick Senior Hurling Championship Final.
For various reasons, completion did not happen in several years, most notably around the start of the last century.
Since 1924 (Croom 6-3, Fedamore 2-1), all championships have been finished.
The number of clubs to have won is 29, many of whom are now defunct, such as Kilfinane (now amalgamated with Ardpatrick as Blackrock), Castleconnell (now immersed with Ahane), St Michael’s (winners in 1895), Treaty Stones (1891), and Shamrocks (1898).
The Roll of Honour is headed by Patrickswell with 20 titles, followed closely by Ahane (19) and then a significant break back to third-placed Kilmallock (12).
Although out of the winners’ enclosure since capturing the hurling/football double in 1986, Claughaun are next on 10 victories, one ahead of current kingpins Na Piarsaigh.
Western Gaels remain the only divisional team to have triumphed, namely in 1961 and ‘62.
Current kingpins Na Piarsaigh, fifth in the pecking order, are in search of title number nine.
Whilst many crave for Doon to win a first championship (four-time beaten finalists), many others too have failed to make the breakthrough, most notably Rathkeale, beaten in a staggering six finals.
In more recent times, the top-scorers in finals have been recorded, and some of those were Richie Bennis (0-7) of Patrickswell in 1979, Paddy Kelly (1-8) of Kilmallock in ‘81, Liam O’Brien (1-5) of Cappamore in ‘84, Johnny Neenan (2-4) of Kilmallock in ‘85, Christy Keyes (1-6) of Ballybrown in ‘87, Richard Walsh (2-5) of Doon in ‘89, Gary Kirby (0-8) of Patrickswell in ‘93, Séamus O’Connell (0-8) of Bruree in ‘94, Kirby (3-8) in ‘95, Conor Fitzgerald (0-10) of Adare in ‘03, Stephen O’Halloran (0-11) of Bruree in ‘06, Shane Dowling (1-10) of Na Piarsaigh in ‘11, Declan Hannon (0-11) of Adare in ‘12, Diarmuid Byrnes (2-2) of Patrickswell in ‘15.
Roll of Honour: Patrickswell (20), Ahane (19), Kilmallock (12), Claughaun (10), Na Piarsaigh (8), South Liberties (7), Young Irelands (7), Croom (6), Adare (5), Cappamore (5), Caherline (3), Treaty Sarsfields (3), Ballybrown (2), Saint Patrick’s (2), Newcastle West (2), Fedamore (2), Bruree (2), Kilfinane (2), Western Gaels (2), Killeedy (1), Ballingarry (1), Castleconnell (1), Garryspillane (1), Murroe/Boher (1), St. Michael’s (1), Treaty Stones (1), Sallymount (1), Shamrocks (1), and Feenagh Kilmeedy (1).
