Limerick looking to bridge 42-year gap for minor title success

Players stand for the playing of Amhrán na bhFiann ahead of the All-Ireland Minor Hurling Championship semi-final match between Galway and Limerick | SPORTSFILE

placeholder image — Players stand for the playing of Amhrán na bhFiann ahead of the All-Ireland Minor Hurling Championship semi-final match between Galway and Limerick | SPORTSFILE

Limerick are looking to add to the wins of 1940, 1958, 1984 - which would bring them level with Waterford and Dublin in the roll of honour

SATURDAY sees Limerick compete in the All-Ireland Minor Hurling Championship final for the ninth time in history.

Diarmuid Mullins’ side are looking to win a fourth title for the Shannonsiders who are looking to add to the wins of 1940, 1958, 1984 - which would bring them level with Waterford and Dublin in the roll of honour.

The Shannonsiders were beaten finalists in 1963, 1965, 2005, 2014, 2016.

For the county’s maiden success, there was a comprehensive 6-4 to 2-4 win over Antrim in the Croke Park final.

GAA HQ was also the venue 18 years later when a Limerick team captained by Paddy Cobbe of St Patrick’s defeated Galway.

The third - and last - minor success came 42 years ago. Due to the GAA’s centenary the final and the replay against Kilkenny were played in Thurles. Colm Coughlan and Pat Davoren got the goals in a one-point win.

Since that last win, Limerick have appeared in three All-Ireland minor finals.

The 2005 team were beaten by Galway but included a number of players who would go on to play senior for the county including Tom Condon, Gavin O’Mahony, Seamus Hickey, James Ryan, Richie McCarthy and David Moloney while former Limerick footballer Ger Collins was also on the panel.

The next appearance in a final came in 2014 where they lost to Kilkenny 2-17 to 0-19.

Despite the defeat, Limerick got plenty of players from this team who represented the senior side with great success.

Sean Finn, Paddy O’Loughlin, Colin Ryan, Andrew La Touch-Cosgrave, Seamus Flanagan, Barry Nash, Cian Lynch; Peter Casey, Tom Morrissey and Ronan Lynch were all playing that day in Croke Park.

Two years later came the last Limerick team to reach the All-Ireland final at the grade. Just like this weekend, Tipperary were the opponents - with the Premier coming out on top.

Na Piarsaigh brothers Jerome and Conor Boylan were both on the team that was captained by Kyle Hayes – with Paul Kinnerk part of the coaching team.

For the class of 2026, they have already broken a gap of a decade since a last final - and now have the task of bridging a 42-year gap since the last Treaty side to claim the Irish Press Cup.

1940 All-Ireland final team: K. O'Donoghue (Mungret), P. Crotty (Ahane), P. Murphy (Kilfinny); M. Culhane (St. Patrick's), T. Hogan (Lansdowne Rovers), T. Cregan (Croom); M. Fenton (Mungret), P. McCarthy (Newcastle West); P. McCarthy (Mungret), J. Hayes (Askeaton), W. Deere (Doon); A. O'Rourke (Treaty), C. Birrane (Doon), J. Blackwell (Askeaton).

Subs used: S. Ryan (Knockaderry), J. Byrnes (Claughaun), T. O'Brien (St. Patrick's), W. Stack (Ardagh), P. Griffin (South Liberties).

1958 All-Ireland final team: Tommy Hanley (Kilmallock); John McDonogh (St Patricks), Jimmy Guinane (St Patricks), Con O’Connell (Doon); John Joe Bresnihan (Hospital), Joe Leonard (Fedamore), Michael Hanrahan (Treaty Sarsfields); Brendan Kelleher (Murroe), Pat Hartnett (Tournafulla); Paddy Cobbe (St Patricks), Liam Canty (Kilmallock), Pat Murphy (Claughaun); Eamonn Carey (Patrickswell), Sean Hayes (Cappamore), Sean Sexton (Newcastle West).

Sub used: Des Dillane (Fedamore).

Other panellists: Tom Meaney (Treaty Sarsfields), Tony O’Brien (Patrickswell), Pat Doyle (St Patricks), Con Connolly (St Patricks).

1984 All-Ireland final team: Val Murnane (Caherline); Anthony Madden (Bruff), Pat Carey (Patrickswell), John Fitzgerald (Claughaun); Ger Hegarty (Old Christians), Anthony O’Riordan (Bruff), Andy Cunneen (Claughaun); Anthony Carmody (Patrickswell), Mike Reale (Bruff); Tony Byrnes (Old Christians), Gary Kirby (Patrickswell), Gussie Ryan (Claughaun); Pat Davoren (Ballybrown), John O’Neill (Kilfinane), Brian Stapleton (Garryspillane).

Subs used: Colm Coughlan (Ballybrown), Declan Marron (Adare).

Other panellists: Leo O’Connor (Claughaun), James Galvin (Feenagh-Kilmeedy), Donal Flynn (Killeedy), Michael O’Brien (Glenroe), Pat Donnelly (South Liberties), Declan Nash (South Liberties), John Bresnihan (Castletown-Ballyagran).