February 9 - Hurling on the minds of Leader readers

Editor’s NOTE: The poem below was written by John Franklin about the Limerick’s 1973 All-Ireland hurling winners. He has started Friends of Limerick ’73 to auction and raffle off jerseys signed by the players for charity.

I was below in Dromkeen cutting a hedge

Thinking of hurling and maybe taking a pledge

Into my head came ’73

Grimes, McKenna, the Hartigans Pat and Bernie

Horgan in the goal would give a big shout

Moore and O’Brien were keeping them out

Pat at full-back, a great hurler no doubt

He would slip back and hit every puck out

Cregan at six oh what a display

High balls or low he had a great day

Five and seven they came from the ’Well

Bennis and Foley were sound as a bell

Lar Na Pairce was Richie the great

Where he donned the number eight

From free or play he did not miss

Only every time the uprights split

Captain that day was Eamonn Grimes

Outstanding he was in the number nine

Up into the Hogan he did go

Picked up the cup and to all he did show

Ten was Liam Donoghue the child of the team

And 12 was Bernie fulfilling his dream

Mossy Dowling from Kilmallock in the centre was he

I’d swear he got the goal and he down on one knee

He scored first and last from number 13

Frankie Nolan from the ’Well as good as we’ve seen

Inside in the square was big Eamonn Rea

Ball after ball he won it that day

Big Joe from the ’Libs was wearing 15

O’Hehir said after, the best he had seen

If you went into Parnell Street he’d sell you a grinder

And of ’73 you might get a reminder

Tom Ryan came on and did his bit

Andy Dunworth and Jim Hogan both from Claughaun

Two Jims from Doon O’Donnell and Allis

And from Kileedy was Paudie Fitzmaurice

We’re asking these greats a jersey to sign

And hope ye the public will buy a line

To charity then all proceeds will go

If you’re lucky enough the jersey you can show

The phone is ringing and the hedge is cut

Who owns that number that coming up?

Tis a lifetime ago says Lar Hayes to me

Since that famous Sunday in ’73

John Franklin,

Knockane, Pallasgreen,