Mike Houlihan A tough determined and yet skillful operator who represents the new Limerick The style, drive and determination of Mike Houlihan as he unleashed those long shots towards the Cork goal in the league semi-final marked him as a player of the standard who could swing a game in his side's favour. Moreover, his lengthy striking determination and close marking could be the Shannonside's trump card when the going gets tough against Tipperary in Sunday's final - the first between the counties in twenty-one years. This will be a game of very high and connected commitment and there is a very healthy feeling of confidence in the Limerick camp despite the Premier County's high rating in recent times."One of the prize reasons why we have failed to make an impact against them is that we are not cute enough. Since 1988 we have lost three successive Munster championships to them but we are in with a chance on Sunday and a victory would be a great breakthrough for the county", said Mike who gives very little away in terms of easy scores or making errors. Like most of his colleagues, the Kilmallock club player has a high regard for the men in the blue and gold jerseys but after the defeats of recent years it's time to put the record right. The 1990 defeat in particular was, for him, the biggest disappointment of his senior career that began in the league of 1987. "We knew it was going to be difficult but we were shattered at the end result after having full back Mike Ban-on sent off. As things transpired. Limerick led by three points at the interval and twelve minutes later were still two points to the good before Declan Ryan broke their hearts with Tipperary's first goal. He also makes the point that while Limerick played well enough in both the 1990 and 1991 Munster semi-finals, they were never able to kill off the opposition. This was in total contrast to the League semi-final when they never relinquished their big advantage over Cork. The fall of favourites of course is a regular occurrence and Limerick are quite determined to bring home the trophy and add to the titles already won in 1914,1915,1936,1937,1938,1947, 1971, 1984 and 1985. Mike Houlihan, who has improved with every match and is hurling with the confidence of a player who can be inspired on the day, first caught the eye as a young budding forward with Kilmallock when winning county minor hurling and football medals in both codes. He then appeared to have the skills and sense of vision to develop into a top-class attacker. "Yes, I played most of my hurling in the forwards at under- age level and although I'm currently playing right half back my favourite position is midfield where I won a Railway Cup medal with Munster this year". This was a noteworthy feat in itself and it Is the only major award to date after several unsuccessful attempts with Limerick at minor and under 21 level. Mike made his debut with Munster in 1991 but the province went under to Galway in the final by 1-13 to 0-12 at Croke Park. Pa and Ciaran Carey and Ger Hegarty were Limerick's other representatives. Kilmallock, with Houlihan prominent in the attack and a major goal getter as well, won many underage trophies between 1986 and 1990 including county under 21 titles in hurling and football. His performances did not go unnoticed and he was given a run with the Limerick minors in 1986. "To be honest, we won nothing", he recalls, and were beaten by Clare in '86 and Tipperary the following year. The young Kilmallockman, who was 23 last February, had his first experience with the Shannonsiders under 21 side In 1988 but it was a far cry from winning awards with his club because the men in green lost three successive provincial deciders from 1988 to 1990 through no fault of the ebullient Mike. "I was in the United States before the '88 final against Cork and things went badly against us In Midleton. I was actually taken off late in the game and we did not play well as a team", he says. Nevertheless, Houlihan, who lined out on the 'forty', produced one expert touch that brought the best out of Tom Kingston in the Cork goal. A score at this stage might gave given Limerick heart but they were practically ran off their feet late In the second half as the Leesiders triumphed by 4-12 to 1-7. The team consisted of other current members Including Pa and Ciaran Carey, Gary Kirby and Jon O'Connor, who is Sunday's captain. Character and commitment won the 1989 and 1990 Munster under 21 finals for Tipp at Thurles and the Gaelic Grounds respectively. The 1990 final was the high point of Mike's career when he scored four points from the centre back position while the previous season he partnered current wing forward Mike Galligan in the middle of the field. It is hardly surprising that Mike Houlihan has made the grade so well as hurling is in his blood. His uncles, the Quaid's of Ballingarry - no relation of goalkeeper Tommy, whose uncle and father also played for Limerick - were distinguished hurlers over a long period of years. Back in 1987 Mike, whose boyhood idols were Pat Hartlgan and John Fenton, made his first senior appearance for Limerick against Clare in a league relegation play off and came on as a sub against Kerry in the opening championship game of 1988 The match was played in Kilmallock and as expected Limerick triumphed, 6-14 to 1-9. There was a distinct air of confidence about Limerick's meeting with Tipperary at Pairc Ui Chaoimh that year but again the Premier County showed themselves to be a durable, sensible and deter- mined outfit and triumphed by 0-15 by 0-8. "Looking back it was my first big senior championship campaign when I came on as a sub in the second half. Unfortunately, we weren't good enough to win and since then our record against them isn't good", said Mike, who rated Galway's Eanna Ryan as the toughest player he opposed. At the moment Mike and his colleagues refuse to look beyond Sunday's final at their own Gaelic Grounds. The training has gone quite well and they have the benefit of some thrilling victories over Tipperary, Kilkenny, Laois, Down and Cork on the way. In fact their 100% record was soiled by Offaly who fought out a thrilling 2-13 to 1-16 draw at Birr. The first round against Tipperary was notable for the fact that the Shannonsiders came from behind to win through a couple of well-taken goals from their two crack forwards Gary Kirby and Shane Fitzgibbon. There is no shortage of talent within the county from their long serving goalkeeper Tommy Quaid to Shane Fitzgibbon in the left corner of the attack. "It will be a big test for us but we are looking forward to the game and maybe finally laying the bogey of recent years". One thing is certain, however, Mike Houlihan can look forward to many bright days in the green Jersey and who knows, a league medal may be the first of many honours. From a statistical point of view, a big number of Kilmallock players have made notable contributions to Limerick hurling down the years and on a random check they include, Jim Ryan, Paddy Healy, Jackie O'Sullivan, Tom O'Connell, Denis McCarthy, Noel Flynn, Tommy Hanley, Liam Carty, Mick Henlan, Davy O'Riordan, Paddy Kelly, Donal Barry and Maurice Nelllgan. The club were first successful in the county minor final of 1960 and had a marvellous run during the seventies during which they won the three-in-a-row. For the record, current Limerick trainer Phil Bennis - a brother of Rickie and Gerry - figured at left half back on the last Limerick team to defeat Tipperary in a league final. It happened at the Cork Athletic Grounds in 1971 when the men in green magnificently triumphed by 3-12 to 3-11 over a Tipp side containing Michael "Babs" Keating at full forward. More significantly Limerick have a one hundred per cent record against their rivals in League finals because they also won the only other final meeting between the counties in 1936. Taken from Hogan Stand magazine 8th May 1992 Tweet

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