Young boy has experience of a lifetime at Limerick homecoming

YOUNG LIAM Brosnahan is not going to forget the Limerick hurlers’ latest homecoming in any hurry!

That’s because the 10-year-old had the amazing treat of being able to stand within striking distance of his heroes on the stage at Pery Square.

The youngster, a student at St Paul’s National School in Dooradoyle, was initially standing on his tippy-toes to try and see what was going on at the event, held in the city centre this Monday.

But then in a spontaneous move, Paul Foley, the event organiser for Limerick GAA, tapped Liam on the shoulder and invited him and his mother Mary up to the stage where the hurling team were taking the acclaim of a 20,000-strong crowd.

Speaking to the Limerick Leader after the homecoming had finished, Liam could not keep the smile off his face.

“It felt really good. I don’t know! I felt really nervous being near them, but now I am feeling really good,” he grinned, “What a moment!”

The youngster was also lucky enough to be at Croke Park in person to witness Limerick tame the Cats and win a fourth All-Ireland title in a row!

In Pictures: Hurlers make triumphant return to Limerick town

Recalling the match, he said: “I was nervous at the start of the game, because Kilkenny were so good. But by the end, I was like: Limerick are going to win this. Woo hoo!”

After he came off the stage, the lucky lad waited around to get autographs from some of his favourite players - including Patrickswell's Aaron Gillane.

He also had his picture taken with St Patrick's man Gearóid Hegarty.

His mum Mary said: “He was overwhelmed. It was unbelievable that we were just up there with the whole team. I didn't think we’d get anywhere near there. But to see the whole crowd, it was amazing!”

She was full of praise for the Limerick panel, who have now won five of the last six All-Ireland senior hurling titles.

“They are just phenomenal, just so talented, not only the 15 players, but also the substitutes and the backroom team,” Mary added.

The family come from strong hurling stock locally.

Young Liam’s grandfather Michael Fitzgerald was a legendary figure in both Patrickswell and Adare's GAA set-ups.

Paul said: “It was a real pleasure to give them an experience they were not going to forget.”