MANAGER Jimmy Lee has hailed as “humongous” Limerick’s gripping two-point, 3-11 to 0-18, win over Wexford in the Division Four National Football League Final at Croke Park.
Goals from Darragh Ó Siochrú (Monaleen), Peter Nash of Kildimo Pallaskenry and Galtee Gaels’ Tommie Childs hugely helped secure the precious title for Limerick.
Newcastle West’s Emmet Rigter was a fine choice as TG4 Man of the Match and Limerick have a great captain in Cillian Fahy, of Dromcollogher Broadford.
Ahead of a cracking closing-half, Lee’s charges had led 1-6 to 0-6 at the turnaround.
“It’s humongous,” declared the successful manager afterwards.
“To win silverware is momentus for the group – especially some of the longer serving guys like Killian Ryan, Tommy Childs, Iain Corbett, Paul Maher Danny (Neville) and Nasher (Peter Nash).
“It’s truly massive for these lads, and the youngsters too. I’m just thrilled for the group. Winning silverware builds character. Winning is a habit (Limerick are now unbeaten in six starts) and we had the losing habit long enough so let’s keep this winning habit.”
The ever-modest Lee was also quick to praise his “slick” backroom team, which includes, among others, Micheál Cahill, Evan Talty and former county great Pa Ranahan.
“The professionalism they bring to the table is second to none. It’s what I would call slick and when we sat down last year that’s what we set out to achieve in 2025.”
On winning at GAA Headquarters, Lee said: “The opportunities to play at Croke Park are slim so every opportunity we get, we will take. We’ll hopefully be back again before the season is done.”
Limerick: Josh Ryan (Oola); Cormac Woulfe (St. Senan’s), Colm McSweeney (Gerald Griffins), Fiachra Cotter (Fr. Casey’s); Mark McCarthy (Fr. Casey’s), Iain Corbett (Newcastle West), Tony McCarthy, 0-1, (Kildimo/Pallaskenry); Darragh O’Hagan (Mungret St. Paul’s), Tommie Childs, 1-1, (Galtee Gaels); Killian Ryan (Oola), Paul Maher, 0-1, (Adare), Cillian Fahy, captain, (Dromcollogher/Broadford; Darragh Ó Siochrú, 1-1 (Monaleen), Emmet Rigter, 0-2, (Newcastle West) James Naughton, 0-4, (St. Senan’s).
Substitutes: Rob Childs (Galtee Gaels), Peter Nash, 1-0, (Kildimo/Pallaskenry), Danny Neville (Askeaton/Ballysteen/Kilcornan), Andrew Meade (Rathkeale), Diarmuid Buckley (Fr. Casey’s).
