Limerick All-Ireland winners of 1998 to be honoured at senior hurling final

LIMERICK'S all-conquering intermediate hurling team will be honoured at half time of the senior county final on Saturday, 25 years on from their victory over Kilkenny by the county board.

The team, that contained current senior hurling manager John Kiely, saw off a Kilkenny team on a 4-16 to 1-17 scoreline to win the All-Ireland title in 1998.

That Limerick outfit will be presented to the crowd at half time of the senior hurling final between Na Piarsaigh and Patrickswell following a luncheon reception at the Woodlands House Hotel.

The panel of players, as well as representatives from the county board will then board a bus from Adare and head to the TUS Gaelic Grounds to take in the senior decider before retiring once again to the Woodlands.

Limerick saw off a Kilkenny side that had a young Henry Shefflin within their ranks on the day. Ballybricken's Andrew Ryan top scored for Limerick with 1-8, while senior star Owen O'Neill scored 2-3 in the victory. As well as Kiely and O'Neill, that Limerick team had future senior hurlers Mike O'Brien and James Butler in the starting lineup. 

The management team of Tommy Quaid, Fr Pat Ryan, Dave Downes, Frank Costello, Paddy Shanahan and Mark Nash led the team to victories over Cork, Clare and Tipperary in Munster and against Down in the All-Ireland semi-final.

Quaid, who was trainer of the team, passed away on the day of the All-Ireland final a couple of days after an accident on a building site where he was working. His sons, Nickie and Tommy Jr were mascots for the Limerick team on the day.

County Board chairman Seamus McNamara said that it is only right that the group are remembered and honoured in the correct way.

"We (county board) are delighted to showcase this fantastic group of players at the county senior hurling final between Na Piarsaigh and Patrickswell.

"The 1998 Limerick intermediate hurling team were the first from the county to win an adult All-Ireland title for 25 years and several went onto represent Limerick at the highest level. I hope they get a great reception at half time on Saturday."

The panel and scorers from the final are below along with the extended panel.

Scorers: Andrew Ryan 1-8, Owen O'Neill 2-3, James Butler 1-1, John Cormican 0-2, Paul Neenan and Mike O'Brien 0-1 each.

Limerick: Pat Horgan (Tournafulla), Niall Murphy (Mungret), William O'Brien (Knockainey), John Kiely (Garryspillane); Paul Neenan (Dromin-Athlacca), Ger Galvin (Feenagh-Kilmeedy), Patsy Cahill (Croom), Donie Carroll (Hospital-Herbertstown), Patsy Keyes (Croom), Danny Murphy (Glenroe), Andrew Ryan (Ballybricken-Bohermore), John Cormican (Monaleen), Mike O'Brien (Glenroe), Owen O'Neill (Murroe-Boher), James Butler (Murroe-Boher); Sub Used: Michael Quaid (Feohanagh-Castlemahon) for D Murphy.

Unused Subs: John Cahill (Croom), Cathal O'Brien (Feohanagh-Castlemahon), Anthony Kirby (Knockainey), Alan Sheerin (Croom), Pat Laffan (Murroe-Boher), Ger Nash (South Liberties), Kieran Power (Monaleen), Derek Frawley (Croagh-Kilfinny), Fergal Kenzie (Monaleen).