Limerick in the 80s

[KarlosMendosa]

Hi there, new to the forum.

I was wondering if anyone has any recollection about Limerick in the early 80s. A family member of mine was involved in the club back then and told of turbulent times. Players going on strike ( except Kevin Fitzpatrick?), Derry City players coming down to play for Limerick, Pat Grace and his promise or riches that the greedy players believed...

Some great stories. But was a bad time for people I know.

Our family since doesnt live in Limerick anymore, so id like to know what others think of that era. Supposedly was Limericks golden era until Grace ruined it. Would that be accurate?

[joeSoap]

Its true to say that it was the the clubs golden era, but it would be unfair to say that Pat Grace ruined it all. He actually did a lot of good for the club, and had some less than savoury hangers on that acted in the clubs interests that helped fleece it. I think Gary Spain might agree with me on that, and he is the man to pm if you want a whole lot of stats and info.

After winning the league (1980) and the FAI Cup(1982) and commercially successful high profile games against Real Madrid, Southampton, AZ Aalkmaar in Europe, and friendlies against Tottenham and Man United, The club left its spiritual home in 1984 when it moved into the Old Crescent rugby grounds that it had purchased. A profitable bar, clubhouse, premier football and good enough gates meant that the club was still relatively successful, at least off the field.Sadly the arson attack on the never to be rebuilt clubhouse signalled the beginning of the end for the club.

Since then, with the exception of Billy Hamiltons tenure, the club has languished in the first division, and through a succession of disastrous ownerships and management has sadly not looked like going back up where it belongs. Since the early 80's , Limerick has produced some legendary players for the Eircom League; the entire squad from 80-83 was brilliant; Fitzpatrick, Nolan, Nodwell, Storan, O'Mahoney, Duggan, Meaney, Kennedy, Hulmes, Walsh all super players. Since then, Limerick has seen some other fine players wear the blue; Ray O'Halloran gave nearly 15 years of service to the club; Christy Coll, Johnny Mullane, Declan Hyde, John Power, Albert Finnan, Marcus Tuite, Peter Hanrahan were all class acts, and today the likes of Paul Finnucane, Pat Purcell, Robbie Kelleher, Tommy Barrett and Derek McCarthy are fine examples of the talent that still exists, but is sadly misplaced.:mad:

[dcfc_1928]

I remember the Limerick City side managed by Billy Hamilton in the late 1980s - there were some great players in the team at that stage and some great tussles between Derry City and Limerick City.

The plans for the new stadium back then were very impressive as well - I remember a great article in "Irish Football Magazine" detailing the plans.

Its a pity - for whatever reason - that it all went tits up.

[gspain]

Football wise the early 80's were the golden years.

There were great plans for Rathbane and the club was awash with money in the mid 80's as the Lotto was bringing in £5,000 per week, the bar was also highly profitable. The national lottery damaged the Lotto and the bar being burned down was probably the beginning of the end. Grace was also being fleeced by some people.

The only strike was more of a picket in 1983 in a battle for control of the club. That's another long story which I can detail when I have more time.

[KarlosMendosa]

Thanks for the info lads.

Just was curious as I plenty of memoirbilia in boxes here.

Old scarf
Photos
A certificate of ownership of Limerick United!
A pennant and ashtray from Real Madrid with Limerick United and the date engraved
A crystal vase with a medallion around it saying "Football League of Ireland - Champions 1979 - Limerick United"

But the best are the stories ive been told of the Markets Field.

[joeSoap]

A crystal vase with a medallion around it saying "Football League of Ireland - Champions 1979 - Limerick United"
Think you might have been sold some dodgy gear there Karlos....Limerick won the league in 1980, not 79.

[KarlosMendosa]

Think you might have been sold some dodgy gear there Karlos....Limerick won the league in 1980, not 79.


aah it says, 1979 - 80 on it... so its :cool:

[red bellied]

From what I have been told the Markets Field was the real home of Limerick football. Sligo Rovers played Limerick in a League Cup final (1st leg)down there in the seventies during the week and there was supposed to being over ten thousand at it.

[KarlosMendosa]

By the way...

Was anyone here part of the group of fans who invaded the Irish consulate in Madrid for food and drinks? I have photos of that evening

[joeSoap]

Crowds of 10,000 were a regular thing in the 70's and 80's in the Markets Field. It was electric. I saw my first game there in 1976 as an 8 yr old against Home Farm...a 2-0 win with Tony Meaney scoring, I remember. Games against Waterford, Sligo and Shamrock Rovers were always the most entertaining, and always attracted the biggest crowds.

[gspain]

I was in Madrid as a kid with my Dad but we went to see Atletico Madrid B team play in the Spanish cup on the Tuesday night. 50-60 people went if I remember rightly. My Dad paid £100 at the time to bring me which was quite a lot of money then.

Sent you a PM as I'm sure I'll know your relative.

[KarlosMendosa]

I was in Madrid as a kid with my Dad but we went to see Atletico Madrid B team play in the Spanish cup on the Tuesday night. 50-60 people went if I remember rightly. My Dad paid £100 at the time to bring me which was quite a lot of money then.

Sent you a PM as I'm sure I'll know your relative.


Just replied by PM!

Story I heard is of the ambassadors wife in madrid apologising to my mother as didnt expect so many people to turn up and she wasnt sure there was enough food to go around! Supposedly was just a reception for the board members but a load of fans crashed it...great stuff.

[jebus]

Wasn't watching back then but all I hear from the aul lads from my area (edward st., hyde rd etc.) is that the club has been dead in their eyes since we left the Market's Field. They have stated they would go back if Limerick returned there, but that any team operating out of Pike, Old Crescent, Hogan Park etc. are a Limerick team by name alone. Still at least they have a burning hatred for the Priest when I talk to them so I doubt Limerick FC are truly as dead in their eyes as they say

[joeSoap]

The Priest is only one man with some responsibility for ruining the club....there are several others.

[lim abroad]

my father used to always tell me stories about andy mcevoy and how good he was.joint top scorer in the english first division with jimmy greaves and signed for limerick the following season

[shelbourne1904]

my father used to always tell me stories about andy mcevoy and how good he was.joint top scorer in the english first division with jimmy greaves and signed for limerick the following season

Oh how the past always look great.I doubt if the Markets field could hold 10k!!Everyone thinks it was great but the only reason they think that is because the team happened to be good in one of the years they played there.It was a kip!! Did you ever see the dressing rooms(they are still there).I remember seeing Andy MCEvoy playing for the League of Ireland team against the English League while he was with Limerick.The previous week I saw Limerick beaten 3-1 by Rovers in Milltown.They were an average midtable team with Keven Fitz in goal.He played so well he was picked for the LOI team and had to be replaced at half time by Peter Thomas because his nerves went and let in 5 goals in the first half.The second half saw Andy score goal of the match to leave the final score 7-2.The point I am making is that the failure of the team has absolutely nothing to do with leaving the Markets Field and anyone who says so is living in Dreamland.If the truth were known limerick have had a very few periods of success in the history soccer in the city.Unfortunately the "Heart of Sport" in Ireland deserted football as soon as their real love Rugby started to get popular in Ireland.
Can anyone tell me why there is a statue of a rugby and hurling player in the middle of the city but none of a football player.

Some tribute to McEvoy,Kennedy,Finnucane ,O'Mahony ,Ahearne,Hamilton,Fitzy etc?????????

[jebus]

Oh how the past always look great.I doubt if the Markets field could hold 10k!!Everyone thinks it was great but the only reason they think that is because the team happened to be good in one of the years they played there.It was a kip!! Did you ever see the dressing rooms(they are still there).I remember seeing Andy MCEvoy playing for the League of Ireland team against the English League while he was with Limerick.The previous week I saw Limerick beaten 3-1 by Rovers in Milltown.They were an average midtable team with Keven Fitz in goal.He played so well he was picked for the LOI team and had to be replaced at half time by Peter Thomas because his nerves went and let in 5 goals in the first half.The second half saw Andy score goal of the match to leave the final score 7-2.The point I am making is that the failure of the team has absolutely nothing to do with leaving the Markets Field and anyone who says so is living in Dreamland.If the truth were known limerick have had a very few periods of success in the history soccer in the city.Unfortunately the "Heart of Sport" in Ireland deserted football as soon as their real love Rugby started to get popular in Ireland.
Can anyone tell me why there is a statue of a rugby and hurling player in the middle of the city but none of a football player.

Some tribute to McEvoy,Kennedy,Finnucane ,O'Mahony ,Ahearne,Hamilton,Fitzy etc?????????

What...a.....pr!ck!! :D (Don't ban me :o )

[joeSoap]

What...a.....pr!ck!! :D (Don't ban me :o )Ban you??....You should be entered for Post of the Month !!

I'm not going to counter this muppets so called 'points' about attendances or it being a kip because I don't have to. I was there regularly, still have the press cuttings and am sure Gary and anyone else who was a fan back then will agree.

Perhaps he was actually born in 1904 as his username indicates, making him 102 years old and probably in the throes of alzheimers(no offense meant to alzheimers sufferers).

Wa nk er :mad:

[Lim till i die]

Well said Mr. Soap

As a member of the younger generation of Limerick fans :p I missed out on this period but it has always fascinated and confused me in equal measure.

One thing I can't get my headaround though - The club must have been absolutely awash with money at the time. Now I've heard all the rumours and what not since but can any of the old guard on here give me a definitive explanation as to how the club has fallen so far without breaking libel laws??

[joeSoap]

Hard to do without breaking the libel laws I'm afraid. The club moved to Rathbane in 1984 and was generating big money through good gates, a very successful bar and a lotto that was taking in between £4-500 a week. In euro terms, I'd say there was easily €30,000 coming in every fortnight...big bucks back then. Alas, mis-management came into play; the clubhouse and bar burnt down, never to be rebuilt. This was a big blow financially, as was the advent of the National Lottery. People stopped buying club lotto tickets and decided to go for the big one instead. Attendances started slipping, as did on the field performances, and the club got involved with one or two unnamed unsavoury characters. That, plus the fact that an unnamed committee member was able to purchase a semi-detatched house at the same time a wedge of club funds went missing tells a tale.

And the rest, as they say, is history. In latter years, people like Blly Kinane, Tommy Lynch and Noel O'Connor (pre current era) have tried their best, often at vast expense to themselves, to kick-start the club but have been stymied in their attempts by bad bad committees.

The rest, as they say, is history...

[smellyfeet]

Good thread is this one.
Just read it but there is one thing i can't understand. Shelbourne posts a few negative points and he is a ***** and a muppet:confused:

Was the Markets field a lovely place? NO. But it was a good venue.
Kev Fitz did let in 5 goals and had a nightmare.
Rugby has taken over and theres no denying that.
And the point about the statue, it seems to me that he is asking the question,why none of the likes of Kev Fitzpatrick, Finnucane etc.

Is it that you are all very upset that someone points these things out or what is it.

[joeSoap]

Not upset...it was more the sarcastic and smarmy condescending tone in which they came across.

I presume by his username he is a member of Shelbourne junior club in Limerick.

Who ???

[Lim till i die]

Not upset...it was more the sarcastic and smarmy condescending tone in which they came across.

I presume by his username he is a member of Shelbourne junior club in Limerick.

Who ???

Now Now Joe don't be condescending :p

Another question...... How come if the club bought the Old Crescent rugby grounds in 1984 we still to this day have all this lease nonsense :confused:

[joeSoap]

Because the club that bought the land was known and registered as Limerick City FC, and had its own company formed with its own directors. The meddlesome priest and his now deceased mob handed heavy started to muscle in and the ground was sold to Peter Hogan.

[MyTown]

Who said nostalgia isn't what it used to be?

Well done lads. As a Galway United Supporter I have fond memories of Limerick "imports" helping us out in the early years particulrly Dessie Kennedy and Georgie Quinlivan. Both were probably cast off by the Treatyites, and will never go down in history for their work rate, but they weighed in, in no small way with goals and no little style.

Also Finucane, Hamilton, Walsh, Hulmes and O'Mahoney were genuinely admired whenever they came to Terryland. They all had class. As far as I can recall only one or possibly two Galwegians played for Limerick. Eamon Deacy (league winner with Aston Villa 1981) had a short spell and Damian Meaney also had a year or two.

A friend of mine lived near the Markets Field and contrary to the negative post above, he is convinced it was a football ground in the same way Tolka or Dalyer were & that leaving it signalled the end.

Pat Grace took a bit of stick especially when a certain Mr. Dunphy returned to our shores, but a least he put a bit of money towards the national game as well as the local scene in Limerick.

Surprised nobody mentioned Sam Allardyce. Didn't he manage ye to a promotion from just one season in charge before graduating to the big stuff across the pond?

I'll never forget the cup semis in '85 a cracking 2-2 in Tolka, and a replay in St. Mel's that you probably don't want reminding about.;) (Not that I want to be reminded about the Final!:o

[Lim till i die]

Who said nostalgia isn't what it used to be?

Well done lads. As a Galway United Supporter I have fond memories of Limerick "imports" helping us out in the early years particulrly Dessie Kennedy and Georgie Quinlivan. Both were probably cast off by the Treatyites, and will never go down in history for their work rate, but they weighed in, in no small way with goals and no little style.


Even in my time as a Limerick fan those big time Charlies in Galway have had a habit of coming in taking some of our finer players :mad: :p

Bobby Ryan, Eddie Hickey, hell even Jason O' Connor spring immediately to mind :eek:

Great Thread tho lads, don't allow my ramblings to drag it off topic.....

gspain, JoeSoap surely there's an absolutely brilliant book somewhere in all of this???

[LFC in Exile]

I find myself agreeing with the thrust of what shelbourne said - though he doesn't do himself any favours in the way he says it.

I think the MF has become a wonderful place in hindsight. When the club had success (and the team of the early 80s was a great team - few mention that our manager was alos managing the Irish team) the crowds turned out. The ground was not a good spot to watch football - not least because there was a greyhound track between the fans and the pitch. Like many grounds of the 80s it was a kip - but fans put up with a lot more sh1te back then. I laugh when I hear fellas saying they wouldn't support Limerick since they left the MF. That is a cop-out - the same fellas wouldn't cross the road to a match and would sit in the lounge watching premiership all day anyway.

Limerick is not the only LoI club that suffered huge drops in attendances in the 80s - it was a feature of the LoI in general. And was caused IMO by live English matches, continued poor facilities, falling standards of football etc. The debacle of the club lotto was a massive problem for the club because it did create a lot of the bad will towards the club. Many, many people paid into that each week and when nothing happened in the club on the back of it as Rathbane remained undeveloped people turned their back on the club. Limerick had strong attendances after the move from MF - though this became less and less frequent. :ball:

[shelbourne1904]

Why is Dave Connell and Fran Mullaly(RIP) not mentioned in the same sentence.They actually got Limerick to the playoffs on a pittance of a budget??

[MyTown]

Yea - Lim Till I Die reminded us Galwegians about Eddie Hickey & Bobby Ryan coming to Galway. It was Dave who brought Eddie with him, whatever about Bobby. Galway United was going through huge turmoil on & off the field and came within a whisker of doing a Dublin City / Thurles Town / Newcastlewest. Dave & Eddie were victims of all that fall out in my view and I still regret the way things turned out for them, and that they didn't get a fair crack of the whip having agreed to come to Galway.

[Lim till i die]

Dave & Eddie were victims of all that fall out in my view and I still regret the way things turned out for them, and that they didn't get a fair crack of the whip having agreed to come to Galway.

Eddie Hickey was an absolutely brilliant keeper

I remember slightly less about Dave Connell playing but from what I do remember he was rock solid at the back

Bobby Ryan was of course also class :ball:

[joeSoap]

Eddie Hickey was an absolutely brilliant keeper

I remember slightly less about Dave Connell playing but from what I do remember he was rock solid at the back

Bobby Ryan was of course also class :ball:
Eddie is playing in goal with Pike 'B' now. And to think we had Tommy Barrett in goal for a big cup game.

Dave was solid at the back, but an awful gobsh1te who didn't endear himself to too many off the pitch.

Bobby...no words needed...

[Lim till i die]

Eddie is playing in goal with Pike 'B' now. And to think we had Tommy Barrett in goal for a big cup game.

Dave was solid at the back, but an awful gobsh1te who didn't endear himself to too many off the pitch.


I assume Eddie has lost some of that magic agility though :confused:

Ah Dave was alright, we've a long history of slightly pig-headed people being involved with the club :p

[ciaraa]

Yea - Lim Till I Die reminded us Galwegians about Eddie Hickey & Bobby Ryan coming to Galway. It was Dave who brought Eddie with him, whatever about Bobby. Galway United was going through huge turmoil on & off the field and came within a whisker of doing a Dublin City / Thurles Town / Newcastlewest. Dave & Eddie were victims of all that fall out in my view and I still regret the way things turned out for them, and that they didn't get a fair crack of the whip having agreed to come to Galway.

Dave Connell - easily one of the most comfortable players on the ball I have seen..... A legend.

[Lim till i die]

Dave Connell - easily one of the most comfortable players on the ball I have seen..... A legend.

Did he play for Drogheda aswell :confused:

Ya tbh I always thought he was pretty class but I was only a youngfella at the time and the memory's a bit hazy so didn't wanna go "Out on a Lim" so to speak :)

Having said all that I always prefered Albert Finnan though :ball:

[joeSoap]

He may have been an awful gobsh1te imo. but he was a class footballer. I'm not too sure about Drogs, but he did play for Rovers for a long while and also Bohs.

[Lim till i die]

He may have been an awful gobsh1te imo. but he was a class footballer. I'm not too sure about Drogs, but he did play for Rovers for a long while and also Bohs.

Would he make an all time Limerick eleven of yours Joe?

How would Albert Finnan fair?? I always thought he was brilliant aswell, if ever so slightly mad :)

[joeSoap]

Don't think he'd make the alltime XI. But he'd make my squad.

Albert was also a fine player, but a little touched. Again, a squad player.

[NY Hoop]

Dave Connell - easily one of the most comfortable players on the ball I have seen..... A legend.

Agree. Great attitude and always got stuck in. Our Player of the Year twice in a row in 91 and 92 if memory serves. At a time of **** Rovers teams you could always rely on Dave Connell. After us he went to Ards where he lost another Cup Final.


KOH

[mypost]

Since then, with the exception of Billy Hamiltons tenure, the club has languished in the first division, and through a succession of disastrous ownerships and management has sadly not looked like going back up where it belongs.

As one of the biggest cities in the country, Limerick should have a side in the top division every year. Unfortunately, everything you hear about Limerick these days, (Munster rugby apart) is bloodthirsty. When I went to Rathbane in the 80's, it was a tidy little ground, but it's now to be blunt, a hostile, dangerous dump. The club could help themselves by getting into a safe, accessible new ground, (e.g. Jackman Park), and getting a competitive side on the field for a change. To the neutral however, it seems the club is either unwilling/unable to make the changes necessary to help themselves, and is content to just drift around aimlessly in the first division every year.

[sadloserkid]

a safe, accessible new ground, (e.g. Jackman Park)

Been there, tried that, no joy. Only one entrance too.

[mypost]

Been there, tried that, no joy. Only one entrance too.

I mean transport-wise.

[sadloserkid]

I mean transport-wise.

Perfectly located from that point of view. In a league with greater travelling support it would be a major (perhaps the only) big plus in Jackman's favour.

[LFC in Exile]

I mean transport-wise.

But of course, as you know yourself, there is not much room for football grounds in the centre of a city.

IMO, transport wise, Rathbane is perfect. The problem is not getting there its being there.:rolleyes:

[dutchie]

How good was pat mc williams<junior>,i think he is a brother of the person that owns limerick sport store,i have heard his name been mentioned a lot when people talk of old limerick teams.

[Paddyfield]

I was at a cracking game in Rathbane around 1986ish. Johnny "Jabber" (What's his name?)was brilliant. Two Rep of Ireland internationals scored. Paul Mc Gee & Tommy Gaynor. Final score 1 -1 . It is easy to exaggerate attendances, but there must've been 5000 at the game. About 200 travelled from Galway.

I also remember Limerick City coming to Galway around the same time. They wore yellow and green (like Norwich). Limerick brought lots of fans to the game. Pat Grace arrived in a huge American f***ing car .

That's my 2 cents worth to the thread. :D

[fc hammer]

I was at a cracking game in Rathbane around 1986ish. Johnny "Jabber" (What's his name?)was brilliant. Two Rep of Ireland internationals scored. Paul Mc Gee & Tommy Gaynor. Final score 1 -1 . It is easy to exaggerate attendances, but there must've been 5000 at the game. About 200 travelled from Galway.

I also remember Limerick City coming to Galway around the same time. They wore yellow and green (like Norwich). Limerick brought lots of fans to the game. Pat Grace arrived in a huge American f***ing car .

That's my 2 cents worth to the thread. :D
Johnny Walsh.. a Limerick legend.

[gav o d]

I have a programe of that real madrid match

[Paddyfield]

Johnny Walsh.. a Limerick legend.


That's the fella. Why did ye call him "Jabber"?

He was a truly brilliant player. He stood out from the others.

[gspain]

That's the fella. Why did ye call him "Jabber"?

He was a truly brilliant player. He stood out from the others.

can't answer that in a public forum sorry. He was a great player.

[MyTown]

Dunno Gar: I knew a John Walsh from County Limerick, (no relation to your brilliant JW) who also gloried in the nickname 'Jabber' and there was nothing risque about it.

It seems to be just a Limerick nickname in the same way the 'Cha' was in Cork and 'Spud' was in Dublin