Best mum in the world scores tickets for Limerick hurling mad son

THE ONLY bad thing about being in an All-Ireland final is that some supporters who go to all the games during the season, and for years, can't get tickets.

But being a real passionate Limerick supporter is what secured Ashley Mangan and her young son Joe's entry to Croke Park on Sunday, thanks to Supermac's.

Joe turns seven on Saturday so it will be a birthday weekend to remember for the hurling mad youngster.

Ashley's journey 'Off to Dublin with the Green' started when she was photographed celebrating one of the goals in the 2021 final against Cork.

“I was in the front row behind the goals and one of the sports photographers got a picture of me jumping up in the air after Limerick scored a goal,” said Ashley, who is originally from Crecora but has moved to Martinstown in recent years.

The photo encapsulated the joy at not just the sliothar hitting the back of the Rebels' net but that fans were allowed back to matches, even in a reduced capacity, as she has a Covid mask in one hand and a Limerick flag in the other.

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Her nephew was in Supermac's in O'Connell Street about a year ago when he saw a familiar face staring back at him.

“He said you won't believe who was up on the wall of Supermac's and he sent me a picture of the photo. I'm up on the wall beside Sean Finn,” laughed Ashley.

She sat down the other day and put her thinking cap on on how she was going to secure tickets for this year's final for herself and Joe.

“It is very hard to get tickets for the All-Ireland final as everyone knows. I emailed Supermac's, saying that I am up on the wall in their O'Connell Street restaurant , that we go to all the matches and we are dying for tickets,” said Ashley, daughter of Nuala and the late Joe Mangan.

She got a phone call from an unknown number on Friday morning with the good news that Supermac's were giving her two tickets.

“I was jumping around the kitchen! It's brilliant. I couldn't face waiting and waiting. I don't mind where they are once we get in the gate,” smiled Ashley, who told Joe the good news.

“He is super excited because it is his birthday this weekend. He turns seven on Saturday. He plays hurling for Staker Wallace. His favourite player is Barry Nash. He is hurling mad,” said Ashley.

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Despite his tender years this will be Joe's fourth All-Ireland final. The only one he missed was the behind closed doors Covid final in 2020.

“He has been coming to the matches since he was a baby and this will be his fourth All-Ireland final in person and they have won them all,” said Ashley, who is passing on the love of Limerick hurling to her son that was imbued in her by her parents - Nuala and the late Joe, a veterinary surgeon, who passed away in 2014.

“I used to go to all the matches with dad. I was there in 1994 and 1996 and through all the bad stages,” said Ashley.

Mow she and Joe will go to all the matches this year thanks to Supermac's.

There will be an extra cheer when Cathal O'Neill from their own parish runs out onto the field and hopefully raises a couple of white or even green flags.

“We are very proud of Cathal because he is the first hurler from Crecora to play for Limerick in a long time. For his age he is very calm and cool,” she said.

Ashley wasn't calm and cool during the 2021 All-Ireland final and that is what caught the photographer's eye, got her on the wall of Supermac's and now All-Ireland final tickets.

“I just want to thank Supermac's - fair play to them. It is brilliant. We can't wait! she smiled.