Limerick man's life and death is intertwined with hurlers

TWELVE months ago, almost to the day, Jordan Fitzgerald headed off to the All-Ireland semi-final between Limerick and Galway wearing his Nickie Quaid Number 1 jersey.

But he never came home.

The 25-year-old, from Kilfinane, was on a bus full of supporters heading to Croke Park when he fell ill and tragically died.

This Saturday, the Treaty and the Tribesmen will go toe-to-toe again which will make it an emotional day for Jordan’s bereft family and bring memories of his untimely passing flooding back.

His life and death are intertwined with Limerick hurling as he was born on September 1, 1996, the day Limerick were playing Wexford in the All-Ireland final.

Mum Louise Moloney, from Bruff, said she knows Jordan would have been at the match on Saturday, roaring his beloved Limerick on but instead he will be cheering from the skies above.

“I am Limerick through and through and I love Limerick matches but, by God, it is very hard to watch them,” said Louise, who will still tune in for Jordan on Saturday.

“He will be at the forefront of all our minds - we all got Limerick jerseys made with his name on them and we got Limerick flags with his photo and Jordan 25 forever written on them.

“The jerseys will be worn and the flags will be flying high. We will make sure Jordan’s memory will live on,” said Louise, who brought her son Callum to this year’s Limerick v Cork match in the Gaelic Grounds.

The finishers will decide the outcome of Saturday's clash between Limerick and Galway

“It just broke my heart. I wasn’t able to go to another Limerick match. And I definitely wouldn't go to the Galway and Limerick match because I know it will bring everything back and getting the news that he died,” said Louise.

She advises mums and dad waving off their children going to the game on Saturday, and to all parents, to “cherish their kids”.

“No one knows how long you have with your kids because you think your children will bury you and not you bury your kids.

“It’s the fact that Jordan was so young, never ever had a complaint and then for him to just die so suddenly and on the way to a Limerick match…” said Louise.

But like in Jason's interwoven life with the exploits of the Limerick hurlers that he idolised so much, they helped to raise the family up at his month's mind Mass when David Reidy and county board secretary Mike O'Riordan brought the Liam MacCarthy Cup to the church.

The gesture meant so much to Jordan's heartbroken parents Patrick (Pa) and Louise, stepmum Michelle, brothers Callum and Matthew, sister Sophia, his adored grandparents, extended family and many friends.

“We weren't expecting to see the Liam MacCarthy Cup at the month's mind Mass - it was phenomenal by David and Mike. John Kiely passed on his sympathies and extended his condolences as well. It was lovely,” said Louise.

Jordan's anniversary Mass took place in St Andrew's Church in Kilfinane on Monday evening.

Louise hopes Limerick beat Galway on Saturday, go one step further after that and Jordan will be proudly watching the team he loved.