Local Limerick GAA community prepares for Croke Park hurling final

MONALEEN has been taken over by bunting, flags and signage as an entire community stands behind in support of their local GAA club’s first-ever All-Ireland hurling final.

Monaleen GAA will take on Tooreen from County Mayo this Saturday, January 14 in Croke Park in the AIB Club Championship All-Ireland Intermediate Final.

The large parish of Monaleen has a catchment area of about 14,000 people and Monaleen GAA club member Fiona O’Halloran says she’s never seen such excitement in the community leading up to the final.

“There’s a great buzz in the community, there are busses organised to go up to it, there are competitions being held in the schools, flags and bunting have been put up and there are signs all around the place - It’s just fabulous to see,” Fiona said.

“You have all ages ready to make the journey - there are lifelong club members who are 80 years of age making the trip to Croke Park, you have people who are underage and will be getting a late bus home heading up and there’s even some people and families booked in the stay the night in Dublin because of the journey,” Fiona added.

Last Saturday, a large group of local children gathered at Monaleen GAA grounds in the lead-up to the final - all kitted out and eager to support their team.

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Fiona says the match is all anyone in the community seems to be talking about and it has really brought everyone together.

“There are people coming to matches now who I haven’t seen at matches in years.

“When you’re meeting people on the street you’d swear it was Limerick in the All-Ireland - it’s like a smaller version of it,” Fiona added.

“It’s huge, we might never see this ever again,” Fiona said.

Fiona says even her family are all excited ahead of the match: “My son is a ball boy for the team, he collects the sliotars, I don’t think he’ll sleep at all this week, he already has his kit ready for Saturday.

“Dare to dream,” Fiona concludes, “We’re just hoping for success. If this happened it would be phenomenal for the area and Limerick.”

Head coach of the Monaleen intermediate team Eoin Brislane says the boys are busy preparing for the final.

“We’re happy enough, it’s been about four weeks since our last game and preparations have gone well over Christmas.

“Tooreen are a very strong outfit and are used to playing with each other, they’re experienced and they’re used to Croke Park.

“If we can execute our game plan we’ll be successful,” Eoin added.

Tune in to TG4 this Saturday, January 14. at 7pm, for live coverage of Monaleen’s final against Tooreen.