Pride in Newcastle West as 'one of their own' masterminds Limerick footballers' progress to final

THERE’S extra special pride at Newcastle West GAA Club because it is ‘one of their own’ who has masterminded Limerick's progress in reaching the Tailteann Cup final.

The Lee family name runs through Limerick senior football like a stick of rock, with Billy Lee managing the team between 2016 and 2022, and his son Jamie lining out during that time.

Billy took Limerick’s footballers from second bottom of division four - and being turned down by scores of players - to division two.

READ MORE: Limerick Community Sleep Out officially launches its 2025 event

At the start of 2024, his younger brother Jimmy became bainisteoir and inherited a similar situation, with the Treaty back in division four, and down a number of players from the season before.

Now they are back in division three, and a game away from glory.

Despite the rain lashing down when the Leader visited Newcastle West’s grounds in the Demesne, there was palpable excitement, with club members excitedly counting down to the day of destiny at Croke Park.

“It’s a really proud moment for us,” said club chairperson Clare Sammon.

“Jimmy was the manager of the team here, winning county finals, so it is good progression for him too. They had a hard run of it last year, that was just building. But you can see the fruition of it now,” she added.

Seven times football champions of Limerick - winning back-to-back titles between 2021 and 2023 - Newcastle West supply four players to the panel: veteran former captain Iain Corbett, Darren O’Doherty, Emmet Rigter and Ruadhan O'Connor.

Behind the scenes, three more Newcastle West men play a key role: Martin O’Sullivan, Conor Walker, and Padraig Vallely.

At one stage during the Tailteann Cup semi-final, Limerick were seven points adrift, and facing the prospect of going 10 behind before Josh Ryan saved a Wicklow penalty.

Clare believes this game showed the resilience of both the team, and the management.

“The decisions to bring on people, from the management, had a huge impact and I think you can see the strength on the bench coming through. They are well primed for it - and we are very excited. There’s a big gang of us going,” she smiled.

“We always say it doesn’t matter what you’re playing, the green and white is the green and white, the black and white is the black and white. You get behind both. There is a good contingent following the football now, and I am delighted for the players themselves as they’ve put in the hard graft,” she said.

Clare paid special tribute to Iain Corbett.

“For a long time, he has been the backbone of our own team. He has also been the backbone of Limerick. He had a very serious injury last year and to come back and be where he is today, I need to say that out. He does lift the team. To me, he is a great role model for the juveniles,” she said.

Edel O’Sullivan, the public relations officer for the juvenile division, has said the exploits of the four Newcastle West players on the panel does inspire the youngsters.

“The kids are all really excited and it’s great to have a lot of club people represented at that level, and have them to be able to look up to, and see if you put in the hard work, this is where you get to,” she said.
Children’s officer Maria Keogh agreed, adding: “I see from my own boys and those in different age groups and it’s really exciting to have a change of scene with the football. They are starting to look up to the footballers.”

Despite Limerick being underdogs, there is confidence across the club that they can beat Kildare.

Clare said: “I do think Limerick will win. I think they’ve the momentum behind them. I know Kildare are a tough outfit, and are used to winning games. But I think the score will be 2-20 to 1-17 Limerick.”

A nerve-shredding 2-15 to 1-17 win is on the cards, according to Maria. And Edel believes the Treaty will come up trumps on a scoreline of 3-20 to 2-19.

Over to you, Limerick...

See Sport for more build-up to Saturday's final