LIMERICK man Michael Benn was the grand marshal of Monday’s St Patrick’s Day parade in New York but the city had already been turned green and gold! Ninety six members of South Liberties GAA Club, led by chairman John Godfrey, departed The Four Elms pub, Drombanna for the Big Apple in the preceding weeks. It was a repeat journey of sorts as 44 years ago the renowned east Limerick club had also visited the city that never sleeps in 1981. On that occasion it was under the guidance of then chairman and current life president, Paddy Shanahan. Aideen Fitzpatrick, South Liberties PRO, said club stalwart Declan Brosnahan had gotten the ball rolling over a year ago and it didn’t take long before his proposed transatlantic trip had received a collective thumbs up from the membership. “The highlight of the trip was a challenge match between the South Liberties intermediate hurlers and the New York hurling team at Gaelic Park in The Bronx,” said Aideen. The game had been carefully planned in advance by Declan Brosnahan and Aideen for the travelling team and by Mary Donovan Myers, Eddie Wiley, and Finbarr Flood for the home team. “They were most-welcoming and accommodating hosts. Coincidentally, Finbarr originally hails from Ballyneety but has been living in New York for nearly three decades now and is a nephew to the late, great Eddie Wade,” said Aideen. Before departing Midtown Manhattan for the game, there was a memorable moment as “The Souths” took over the steps of Times Square, proudly displaying their specially commissioned commemorative green and gold flags, made for them by Daly Champion Hurleys of Pallaskenry. Fittingly, staunch South Liberties clubman John Cooney, who played in the 1981 fixture between the sides, threw in the sliotar to start the match. John also had the distinction of being the only person to have travelled on both the club’s stateside trips. There were also other dedicated South Liberties folk who travelled separately to be in New York for the game - John Noonan
PICTURES: Limerick GAA club turn the Big Apple green and gold!
