‘World Cup has Messi, we have Sean Finn’: Limerick hurling superfans hopeful of All Ireland win

LIMERICK GAA supporters have painted their city and county in their traditional green and white colours ahead of the All-Ireland Hurling Final this Sunday. Buildings and bridges, scorched by the current heatwave, have been decked out with green flags and bunting, and a giant screen will show the final live at Pery Square in the city centre (followed by the World Cup). The Shannonsiders hope to beat Galway and make it six All-Ireland wins in eight years, and prove beyond doubt that Limerick are the “greatest hurling team ever”. Farmer Roger Mulqueen, from Bruff, turned his grasslands into a field of sporting dreams, in the hope his hurling heroes can bring the Liam MacCarthy Cup home again. In homage to local Limerick corner back Sean Finn, Roger erected giant bales of hay emblazoned with the words: “WORLD CUP HAS MESSI — WE HAVE SEAN FINN”. Another display of hay bales read: “LIMERICK FOR LIAM — GALWAY FOR THE RACES” as well as “PUT THE XXX BALL OVER THE BAR”, referencing Limerick corner back Diarmuid Byrnes description of what the Limerick players were told by management at half time when they were behind in the semi-final against Clare and won. “I make these displays every year that Limerick are in the All-Ireland final and a neighbour of mine said I’d have to keep doing it because we have won every final we’ve been in under John Kiely but last year’s Munster Final,” said Mulqueen. “The mother Bridie (78) is World Cup mad as well as hurling mad, she’s been watching all the games, and that’s why I made up the reference to Messi and Sean Finn,” he said. Roger thanked Bruff GAA Club for his ticket to Croker, as well as a Cork friend, who passed him train tickets that he’d booked in preparation for the final, prior to Cork losing to Galway in semi-final. “I’m confident enough, Limerick have never lost a final under manager John Kiely in regulation time, we’ll win it 2:24 to 1:19,” offered Mulqueen. “There’s no question but Galway are a young up-and-coming team, but Limerick have the experience to get them over the line first on Sunday,” he added. Christy and Collette Keogh. Photo: Brendan Gleeson. Christy ‘Golly’ Keogh is another Limerick superfan confident of the win against the men from the West, although he is well aware the tribesmen pose a fierce threat to Limerick’s plans for victory. “If Limerick win on Sunday, and I believe they will, the debate will be over – Limerick will be the greatest hurling team ever,” said Keogh. The Edward Street native has decked out his home in green flags, bunting, as well as giant cardboard cut outs of the Limerick hurlers. “I do it every time they’re in the final, I’m big into hurling, the wife will tell you that,” joked Keogh who has been travelling to Limerick hurling matches for the past 50 years. “I store the Limerick decorations in the attic and like Christmas they come down for the final. “It’s like summer is really here when the Limerick flags come out, it’s great for Limerick; everybody here is wearing the green jerseys and taking about the match, and how people are travelling up to Croke Park.” Keogh secured his place at Croker, as he is a Limerick season ticket holder, which entitles him to a ticket for the final, however he said he felt “sorry for those who are scrambling for tickets when they have gone to matches all year”. Keogh, like, Mulqueen, keeps to the same preparation ahead of a final, which they did in 2018 when Limerick beat Galway and ended a 45-year All-Ireland famine. “The decorations go up the same way, and like always, I’ll be travelling by train, it’s something I always do,” said Keogh. Stetson wearing Pa ‘Weston Warrior’ Buckley is another legendary Limerick hurling superfan who decked out his home – and his face – in Limerick’s traditional green and white colours. Buckley, who admitted sneaking out of hospital on a few occasions when he was ill to see his beloved Limerick hurlers in action, said: “I love the players, a few of them with John Kiely even came in to see me in hospital in 2023 with the Liam MacCarthy Cup, I love the bones of all of them.” “They have done so much for Limerick and it is great to see them back in a final, after a two-years away from it.” However, even superfan Buckley, who has spent his life following Limerick, was struggling for a ticket for Sunday’s final, such is the demand. “I haven’t a ticket yet, but nonetheless I will be going up and I will get a ticket by hook or by crook.” The post ‘World Cup has Messi, we have Sean Finn’: Limerick hurling superfans hopeful of All Ireland win appeared first on Limerick Post.