Sponsored by
Limerick Lions do us all proud
THERE is deep pride in Limerick this week, after the selection of the magnificent Paul O'Connell as captain of this summer's British & Irish Lions tour to South Africa. Of course, the good news for Limerick rugby lovers did not end there: far from it.
A mere year after playing in the All Ireland League play-offs, the enormously talented Keith Earls was chosen for the tour.
The dynamic Jerry Flannery, from another proud Limerick city rugby family, is now most people's favourite to start the Test series as hooker.
Garryowen's brilliant back-row forward David Wallace, enjoying perhaps his finest ever season, is another forward who looks 'nailed on' for the first XV.
And while we recognise that the marvellously combative Alan Quinlan is a proud Tipp man, we can also take pride in his surprise selection, for he is a true Shannon man, another product of Limerick rugby.
As Paul O'Connell's overjoyed mother Shelagh points out in these pages, Limerick has had more bad press of late - which makes this news all the more welcome.
If there was ever any doubt that Limerick is the rugby capital of Europe, this Tuesday's Lions selection swept it aside.
In all, there are eight Munster players in the squad - as many as the entire nation of England has supplied and four times as many as the Scots could muster.
The Lions selectors have chosen wisely - particularly in the choice as captain. The titanic O'Connell is many people's idea of the greatest living Limerickman.
He is hugely talented but also remarkably level-headed. Like all good Limerick people, he will never forget where he comes from and after making the journey back from London he headed straight for the Young Munster clubhouse, where club members were waiting to share his joy.
Win or lose in South Africa, Limerick's Lions will do us proud. They will inspire future generations of Limerick Lions - nothing surer. We salute them.
Email to a friend
Print this page- First drift karting facility in Europe is ready to take off on outskirts of Limerick
- Newport gun victim is mourned at funeral in Limerick city
- Man appears in court following County Limerick drugs seizure
- Protest march in Parteen over preferred route of relief road
- Luxury eight-bed home in Adare now on sale for €1.9m
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Weather for Limerick
Wednesday 08 February 2012
Today
Light rain
Temperature: 7 C to 9 C
Wind Speed: 22 mph
Wind direction: South east
Tomorrow
Light rain
Temperature: 8 C to 11 C
Wind Speed: 14 mph
Wind direction: South
