Family ties fuel Limerick's rivalry with Cork

THERE are a number of close family connections between current and former Limerick and Cork hurlers. Leader Sport takes a look at some of the relations and the links between the two counties.

Cork senior hurler Darragh Fitzgibbon and the recently retired Richie English are first cousins. Richie’s mum, Marion, and Darragh’s dad Mossy are brother and sister from Milford, near Dromcollogher.

Marion married the late, and much-missed Paddy English, of Doon while Mossy married Ita O’Keeffe, who played camogie with Castletown-Ballyagran, and they settled in Creggane.

Fitzgibbon has been in impressive form for Cork over the last number of years. The Charleville native won his second All-Star last year with his first All-Star award coming in 2018.

Fitzgibbon has gone to new levels this year since making the move from midfield to the number 11 channel. The Cork sharpshooter has been on target with 0-5 during the Munster Championship.

Five-time All-Ireland medal winner with Limerick, Richie English, called time on his distinguished inter-county career in January.

Doon clubman English made his senior championship debut for Limerick in 2016 and he lined out for John Kiely's side for nine seasons.

Cork senior hurler Seán O’Donoghue and his partner Aoife Daly, from Kilmallock welcomed their first child in July. The big question is now which county will their son be shouting for in the future?

Limerick's David Reidy, Fergal O'Connor and Patrick O'Donovan all attended secondary school in Charleville CBS. Reidy was part of the Charleville CBS side that reached the Dr Harty Cup final back in 2011.

Limerick senior hurling manager John Kiely made some changes to his backroom team this year. Cappamore native Liam Cronin was added to Kiely's backroom team this year.

Cronin has been building an impressive CV having worked with Dublin, Clare senior hurling teams, Limerick minor hurling side last year and Ardscoil Rís Dr Harty Cup teams.

Before going in with with Limerick, Cronin coached the Cork camogie side to back-to-back All-Ireland titles in 2023 and 2024.
Father of Limerick hurling star Shane O'Brien, Adrian O'Brien replaced Cairbre Ó Cairealláin as the strength and conditioning coach.

O'Brien was previously worked with the St Finbarr's senior hurling team. The Kilmallock native worked with Cork senior hurlers Brian Hayes, Ethan Twomey, Jack Cahalane and Damien Cahalane at club level.

Limerick's Darragh O'Donovan made his first apperance in the Munster Championship against Waterford for the first time since 2023.

O'Donovan and his partner Aisling Thompson who lines out for the Cork camogie side, completed a unique double in 2023.
Both players won All-Irelands with their respective counties in 2023.

Anthony Nash's father Mike played for Limerick, while his uncle Declan also wore the jersey for the Shannonsiders at senior level.

Declan is the father of Barry Nash. First cousins Anthony and Barry have came up against each other at inter-county level.
Anthony Nash made the transfer to South Liberties in 2021 and the former Cork shotstopper was involved in Albert McSweeney's backroom team last year with ‘Liberties’