Limerick FC anniversary tinged with real sadness
TODAY, August 24, marks the 50th anniversary of the first-ever European Cup tie hosted on Shannonside - in 1960 Swiss champions Young Boys of Berne faced Limerick FC in front of a 10,000-strong crowd at Thomond Park and won 5-0.
Limerick won the league tite in 1959-60 and duly earned the right to compete in the European Cup for the first time. The Super Blues were pitted against Young Boys of Berne, who, tonight, take on Tottenham Hotspur in a Champions League play-off at White Hart Lane.
While Limerick FC lost 0-5 at Thomond Park Georgie Lynam and Leo O'Reilly plundered away goals for the Irish champions in Berne when Young Boys won 4-2.
Memories of that famous event were tinged with sadness this week for senior soccer fans when the news broke on Tuesday that the historic Market's Field, long associated with senior soccer in Limerick city, was put out to public tender by the Irish Greyhound Board.
The Irish Greyhound Board announced that it was putting the local landmark up for sale and that it had received a "number of expressions of interest in the property".
"Now that we are about to commence a new era for greyhound racing in the city, it is the right time to formalise the sale process and move it forward," said Adrian Neilan, CEO of the Irish Greyhound Board, speaking about the 5.35-acre site which is located in Garryowen.
Pat O'Sullivan, CEO of Limerick FC, is believed to have made a substantial bid for the property, but that it was not accepted. Pat O'Sullivan has long stated his ambition to return the club to the Market's Field.
The Limerick FC bid for the Market's Field still stands, but there is a real danger now that senior soccer may never return to the famous venue, a venue many fans consider to be the club's spirital home.
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Weather for Limerick
Thursday 24 May 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 13 C to 23 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: South east
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: 13 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 18 mph
Wind direction: East
