Mark O'neill-cummins' Eircom Lge Focus
Are there plans for a new limerick stadium ?? Good news for limerick if there is ! it might even be something that rivals Shels !!
http://www.rte.ie/aertel/p232.htm
MARK O'NEILL-CUMMINS' EIRCOM LGE FOCUS
The recent takeover of Limerick FC by a
consortium headed up by businessman
Danny Drew is a welcome boost for both
soccer in the Treaty city and our
national league in general.
Limerick FC, and its several previous
incarnations, has represented its city
and county in senior soccer since 1937.
But the worrying reality was that had a
takeover like this not come along soon,
the club could have gone out of
business.
That would have been hard to believe
during the glory days of the 70s & 80s.
www.rte.ie/sport
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Soccer News
MARK O'NEILL-CUMMINS' EIRCOM LGE FOCUS
The club, under several managers
including Ewan Fenton and Eoin Hand,
won league and cup titles and enjoyed
European ties against teams like AZ 67,
Southampton and Real Madrid.
The games in 1980 against the Spanish
giants were particularly memorable.
Des Kennedy scored in both legs (two of
only four goals Real conceded in the
entire tournament).
6,000 turned up at Lansdowne Road for
the first leg and 60,000 were at the
Bernabeu two weeks later.
www.rte.ie/sport
3/6
Soccer News
MARK O'NEILL-CUMMINS' EIRCOM LGE FOCUS
A combination of elements led to the
situation in which Limerick found
themselves in recently.
Many observers saw the move from the
Market's Field to Hogan Park in 1984 as
the start of the decline in fortunes
for the Blues.
Numerous changes in ownership and
committee members followed while crowds
decreased and performances on the pitch
deteriorated.
Although, a brief highlight was the
season under the management of Sam
Allardyce in the 1990s.
www.rte.ie/sport
4/6
Soccer News
MARK O'NEILL-CUMMINS' EIRCOM LGE FOCUS
The first signs that something was
seriously wrong on Shannonside came in
the late 1990s when it emerged that
brush handles were used as corner flags
for a game against Dundalk.
In 2001, Hogan Park was deemed
unsuitable for eircom League soccer and
the club moved to Jackman Park and then
to Pike Rovers' ground.
Noel O'Connor surprisingly led the club
to a League Cup victory in 2002 but
soon departed to Cork City.
His replacement, Mike Kerley, steered
Limerick to a 2003 promotion play-off,
where they lost to Derry City.
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Soccer News
MARK O'NEILL-CUMMINS' EIRCOM LGE FOCUS
Kerley's luck deserted him last term.
He often had just 13 or 14 fit players
on any given week and was forced to
play his substitute goalkeeper up front
on several occasions.
There was genuine disappointment among
many Limerick fans when it became clear
there was no role for Kerley in the
new-look club.
Instead, it's left to O'Connor, who has
been enticed back to the club as
manager, to begin the Limerick revival.
However, he has made it clear that
instant success is unrealistic.
www.rte.ie/sport
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Soccer News
MARK O'NEILL-CUMMINS' EIRCOM LGE FOCUS
Limerick has produced many fine players
over the decades. Several of them went
on to represent their country,
including goalkeeper Kevin Fitzpatrick
and the legendary Al Finucane - who
still holds the record for the number
of national league appearances.
And with Drew's new cash injection,
emerging Limerick talent will hopefully
be given the chance to emulate
Fitzpatrick and Finucane in a proposed
new 7,000-seater stadium at Hogan Park.
If Drew delivers on his promises, then
all the club needs is the support of
the good people of the sports capital
of Ireland.
