Moving The Goalposts exhibition launched to celebrate Limerick soccer pioneers

THURSDAY evening saw the launch of the 'Moving The Goalposts' exhibition at the Limerick Museum, an exhibition celebrating the Limerick Ladies soccer team of the 1970s. 

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The exhibition marks the 50th anniversary of the team's 1975 LFAI Cup win. Under the guidance of the late 'Junior' Keane, that Limerick Ladies side also won the inaugural League of Ireland in 1973 and retained their championship in 1974. The team remaining unbeaten in both seasons.

Several members of the team went on to represent the Republic of Ireland at international level. 

Pauline Maher, who played as a striker for the Limerick Ladies side was overjoyed with the success of the launch. She paid tribute to Dr Matthew Potter and John Elliot who helped curate the exhibition at the museum. 

"We are delighted that we got such a big turnout and the exhibition was more than we expected.

"We have to thank Dr Matthew Potter and John Elliot who are the two curators of the museum who did a really fantastic job. We never would have thought of some of the ideas that they came up with," she said. 

"We got 15 players here today from the 1973-1975 team which is fantastic, everybody is still alive and well," Pauline added. 

Pauline also paid tribute to the members of the Treaty United Women's side who came out to show their support for the launch, ahead of their FAI Cup semi-final against Bohemians this afternoon. 

Treaty's Mara McCleary, Bella Flocchini, Jillian O'Toole and Anna Rockett were present as the exhibition was officially declared open by Councillor Maria Donoghue. 

"To have the girls from Treaty United here ahead of their semi-final is fantastic. It's 50 years since we managed to win it so we will follow them to the final hopefully and they will be able to repeat history, it would be some achievement."

Pauline also paid homage to the late Frank Keane Junior, who led the Limerick Ladies to their outstanding success in the 1970s. 

"None of this would be possible in ladies soccer in Limerick without 'Junior' Keane, our manager back in the 60s and 70s. Unfortunately 'Junior' died last year but he would've loved all of this, without him none of this would be possible," she said. 

In total, the exhibition took six months to complete. Pauline says that it would not have been possible without the help and donations from everyone involved. 

"Everybody donated and loaned everything that they had to the museum. Everything from jerseys, medals, articles and trophies.

A lot of research was done with the local libraries, Sean Gannon from the Watch House Cross Library was a huge help to us and we also went to the National Library in Dublin, went through all the archives of the Limerick Leader, Limerick Chronicle and the Limerick Weekly Echo, all the way back to 1973."

We put a lot of work into it and it's lovely to meet up with all of the girls again," Pauline concluded. 

Councillor Maria Donoghue was on hand to officially open the exhibition, which will run in the Limerick Museum from September 11 to October 31 2025. 

"1973 was a turning point in the history of women's soccer in Ireland and Limerick. Limerick was at the forefront of these developments," Councillor Donoghue said.

"That team won the inaugural LFAI Ladies League of Ireland in 1973 and in 1974 and in 1975 they won the inaugural LFAI Cup, you were truly a team of trailblazers.

"The legacy of the Limerick team from 1973-75 continues to the present with the Treaty United women's side playing League of Ireland soccer and it's great to have them here tonight," she added. 

Dr Matthew Potter, who curated the exhibition paid tribute to the Limerick side of the 70s, stating that what they achieved 'won't happen again.' 

"Hopefully you will have inspired Treaty United ahead of their FAI Cup semi-final coming up so in 50 years time maybe Treaty United will be back here!

"You were unbeaten in the league for three years running from 1973-75, that's never happened and it won't happen again," he said. 

If you wish to see the exhibition, it will be on display in the Limerick Museum until October 31. The museum's opening hours are 10am to 5pm Monday to Saturday, admission is free of charge.