Luimneach Abú!
We might have to pinch ourselves for a while until the reality fully sinks in! Limerick are the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Champions for 2018! The party has begun and will continue for some time to come - deservedly so.
What a magnificent bunch of young and fearless men whose stylish hurling, resilience, composure and self-belief secured the Liam McCarthy Cup for Limerick after a 45-year drought. Greatest congratulations and thanks to you, lads, every single one of you. As the Limerick Captain, Declan Hannon, said in his memorable acceptance speech, the structures and organisation behind the players have been immense and second to none. What an effective Bainisteoir! Grange people who love their hurling, many involved in the Bruff GAA Club over the decades, will be especially delighted for Sean Finn and Paul Browne from the Bruff Club. 2018 brought sadness to the county and, indeed, to Ireland and throughout the world, at the untimely death of the music icon, Dolores O'Riordan of Limerick. How fitting it was to have her beautiful vocals ring out over Croke Park as Limerick became the new All-Ireland Champions of 2018.
1973 is long gone. Many who celebrate Limerick's great achievement in 2018 were born after 1973 and, indeed, the parents of many were not born by then or were just young children. Thankfully, there are many also who witnessed the 1973-final triumph and have been rewarded after a wait of 45-years for the next senior championship crowning of Limerick. I am reminded of exponents of the game of hurling, GAA supporters and sporting people from Grange who are no longer with us. How they would have enjoyed the many tremendous 2018 championship games and, particularly, Limerick's well-overdue All-Ireland success. May they All Rest in Peace. Let's take a long time to enjoy and savour the fact that Limerick are Champions, before turning our thoughts to the next milestone! Well done and grateful thanks to everybody involved in bringing 'Liam' back to Limerick.
Best Regards to All.
Tommy Hourigan.
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