WSC Archive piece on Limerick v Real Madrid

**the ox** · 27/11/2008, 12:52 PM

http://www.wsc.co.uk/content/view/1985/29/

**Voice of Reason** · 28/11/2008, 8:35 AM

Nice one Ox!

**GenerationXI** · 02/12/2008, 11:52 AM

"Real went on to be runners-up, only conceding two more goals in the tournament, including Alan Kennedy’s winner for Liverpool in the final. Limerick reached the UEFA Cup the following season."

Take that SLK. There goes your favourite piece of football trivia.

The article mentions that JP McManus has never invested or donated money to Limerick Football. Is this true? Not a cent? I'm sure this was talked about on here at the time when he bought 37% of Man Utd or whatever it was.

**joeSoap** · 02/12/2008, 1:52 PM

Originally Posted by GenerationXI

The article mentions that JP McManus has never invested or donated money to Limerick Football. Is this true? Not a cent? I'm sure this was talked about on here at the time when he bought 37% of Man Utd or whatever it was.

JP McManus is a very generous man to the city of Limerick. His main loves are Horse Racing and Hurling. He has given very generously to both these sports over the years, as well as UL, and several local charities. He was approached many times over the years by officers of Limerick FC in its various guises, but it was widely believed that he didn't trust any of them as far as he could throw them, and asked them all to submit feasible proposals for him to consider, none of which followed. I also understand he has a certain dislike for a prominent member of the clergy who has been involved with the club on and off for the last 20 years.

**Jofspring** · 02/12/2008, 2:48 PM

Originally Posted by joeSoap

He was approached many times over the years by officers of Limerick FC in its various guises, but it was widely believed that he didn't trust any of them as far as he could throw them, and asked them all to submit feasible proposals for him to consider, none of which followed.

Understandable why he hasn't invested a penny if that is they way he has felt about it and his lack of trust in the people involved turned out to be right over recent years. Would be nice though if he could be convinced by the right people to part with a few bob.

**L37Ultra** · 02/12/2008, 9:37 PM

Originally Posted by Jofspring

Understandable why he hasn't invested a penny if that is they way he has felt about it and his lack of trust in the people involved turned out to be right over recent years. Would be nice though if he could be convinced by the right people to part with a few bob.

I may be wrong but Isn't JP behind Sporting Limerick? They sponsored Limerick this season with the logo on the jerseys.

**gael353** · 02/12/2008, 9:53 PM

no the sporting limerick logo is a marketing tool and is used to promote the city/county. On JP, there was a time when Fr Joe was in charge when Joe would head to JPs house on a weekly basis always returning with a cheque to pay the weekly wages. When the time is right JP will no doubt invest, could be soon

**Lim till i die** · 02/12/2008, 10:38 PM

Originally Posted by gael353

could be soon

could be never.........

**GenerationXI** · 03/12/2008, 8:34 AM

Thanks for clearing that up, but all of this leads me to another Question: Where the hell is Fr. Joe now? I heard California - with a family. But I would like to stress that this was a rumour and I am seeking clarification on whether or not he has any involvement whatsoever with the club, or board, or even if he pops up at the odd game.

Limerick really has a dearth of celebrities when it comes down to it.

**joeSoap** · 03/12/2008, 9:05 AM

Originally Posted by GenerationXI

Thanks for clearing that up, but all of this leads me to another Question: Where the hell is Fr. Joe now? I heard California - with a family. But I would like to stress that this was a rumour and I am seeking clarification on whether or not he has any involvement whatsoever with the club, or board, or even if he pops up at the odd game.

Limerick really has a dearth of celebrities when it comes down to it.

It is a rumour. He is back in Limerick( I think...), and not living with a family. I have no time whatsoever for the man, and have to question the Catholic Church as a result of knowing him, but lets keep it in context- there have been a lot of ill-founded rumours about the man. There have also been some some substaniated ones. I don't believe he has any involvement in the club whatsoever.

**leather** · 03/12/2008, 9:22 AM

He is back home living on the south side of the city. about 1 km from jackman park

**gael353** · 03/12/2008, 5:47 PM

Originally Posted by Lim till i die

could be never.........

true, could be never

**Lim till i die** · 05/12/2008, 2:34 PM

Originally Posted by leather

He is back home living on the south side of the city. about 1 km from jackman park

In which direction?!?!

**Monkfish** · 05/12/2008, 6:57 PM

Originally Posted by leather

He is back home living on the south side of the city. about 1 km from jackman park

Well that really narrowed his location down

For the record he was in the Limerick motor centre on the Tipperary Rd about 2 months ago, and the salesman called him 'Joe' (must have been buying)

**joeSoap** · 07/12/2008, 10:29 PM

Anyway.....
getting back on topic.....

I loved the Real Madrid ties...got laurie Cunningham's (RIP) autograph and was in the Bernabeau aged 12...great experience.

Here's to the CL 1012...

**gspain** · 08/12/2008, 7:11 AM

Originally Posted by joeSoap

Anyway.....
getting back on topic.....

I loved the Real Madrid ties...got laurie Cunningham's (RIP) autograph and was in the Bernabeau aged 12...great experience.

Here's to the CL 1012...

I always thought I was the youngest on that trip. I badgered my Dad into taking me as a 14th birthday present.

**GenerationXI** · 08/12/2008, 10:49 AM

Originally Posted by joeSoap

I loved the Real Madrid ties...got laurie Cunningham's (RIP) autograph and was in the Bernabeau aged 12...great experience.

Here's to the CL 1012...

Originally Posted by gspain

I always thought I was the youngest on that trip. I badgered my Dad into taking me as a 14th birthday present.

Awesome. Must have cost a pretty penny back in those ryanairless days?

**joeSoap** · 08/12/2008, 10:53 AM

My uncle was involved in the supporters club back then, and they ran a charter with the team. Helped with the costs and it was brilliant. Des Kennedy and Tony Meaney were my heroes back then. Happy days. I still have my blue adidas jersey with Trustee Savings Bank on it. Happy days.

**gspain** · 08/12/2008, 11:41 AM

Originally Posted by GenerationXI

Awesome. Must have cost a pretty penny back in those ryanairless days?

It was �200 for the trip. I overheard my Dad telling my uncle in Lansdowne Road that a woman who won a trip from Musgraves was selling hers for �100.

My uncle couldn't go and after a few days of persuasion my Dad brought me.

It was a huge amount of money in those days. Times were a lot tougher then as well. We had about 60 fans in Madrid.

My Dad drove the whole family to the Southampton game a year later.

For Alkmaar, Limerick Travel had booked 30 flights hotels etc only for the club to use a Dublin travel agent. My Dad was offered 2 free seats if he could sell the other 28 to fans. It looked a really tough prospect and he planned on lots of calls etc but first went straight to the local pirate radio station and they allowed him on air straight away to talk about the trip - flight, 3 nights in Amsterdam etc etc.

He was hardly off the air and the trip was full. He looked in amazement at some of the names going who hardly even knew where the Markets Field was not to mind ever going to a football match. He didn't understand their sudden interest in football until we got to Amsterdam. Lets just say Pat Nolan and Gary Hulmes weren't the main attraction and they didn't bother making the one hour train trip to Alkmaar.

It was a great trip. We got to see Ajax v Celtic the night before our game. the only downside was running for our lives from a crowd of Dutch hooligans in Alkmaar. A Limerick woman married to a lcoal man helped us hide in a park and we just got back to the station in time for the last train to Amsterdam.