The hurling and football Garveys They say it's a healthy sign for hurling in Limerick when the game is being discussed throughout the length and breath of the county (wouldn't be the same in any county) and right now the game has been the topic of conversation ever since the Shannonsiders look the prestigious league trophy from Tipperary's grasp following a phenomenal second half come back at the Gaelic Grounds, writes TOM MORRISON. Indeed few in the attendance of 30,236 would have thought that the men in green would have pull threw at the break because they trailed by eight points and looked completely out of sorts as Tipperary appeared to be coasting. On top of that conditions, accentuated by a strong wind, made play a very demanding exercise but with a controlled performance in the final quarter Phil Bennis' side answered the call and when the task was presented to substitute Ray Samson. He forced the winning score with open arms and Limerick were champions after seven year lapse. Certainly the newly crowned heroes should be more assured now than ever about their capabilities under pressure, but it's very unlikely they will suffer any over confidence when facing Waterford in next Sunday's Munster semi final in Thurles. "Indeed we cannot really afford to think much further than the game," stresses right corner forward Liam Garvey, who was third top scorer throughout the league series. "Waterford have the advantage of playing two hard games against Clare in Semple Stadium and they'll be all out to beat us. It's going to be tough one but hopefully we've learned a lot throughout the league campaign and everyone's looking forward to the championship." Liam and his colleagues they include younger brother Andy at left wing back have seen enough Shannnonside dreams ended in the championship in recent years but they can build on the league triumph and are strong, determined and durable in all positions. Their ultimate aim is to repeat the semi-final performance against Cork and the final thirty minutes against the Premier County when all guns were blasting in scintillating fashion. Liam has his memories from various games but the league final is one that will not be forgotten for some time. "It was a great performance and the will to win was something else. The game in the county needed a boost and it couldn't have come at a better time especially against Tipperary". It is worth pointing out that Limerick and Waterford haven't met in the senior championship since 1987 when a goal apiece from Anthony Carmody and Danny Fitzpatrick gave the Shannonsiders a 2-15 to 1-14 win at Thurles. Tommy Quaid, Terence Kenny, Pa Carey, Shane Fitzgibbon and Anthony Carmody played in the game while Gary Kirby and Ger Hegarty were substitutes. Right corner forward Paddy Kelly was in devastating form, scoring 0-10, but although Limerick put up a great a display in holding Cork to a draw in the semi final they were beaten in the replay by 3-14 to 0-10 Another shred of comfort for the current league winners has been the great form of their long serving goalkeeper Tommy Quaid, who has never missed a championship game since his first Munster final appearance against Cork at Pairc Ui Chaoimh in 1976. "Personally, he is a super man and the figure of the team," says Liam Garvey. "He has great attitude towards the game and is always willing to tog out, be it challenge, league or championship. He doesn't drink or smoke and is very dedicated to the cause of Limerick hurling." Although he holds two Munster medals, an All-Ireland award just eluded him when Galway held out to win a tremendous contest in 1980. The Garvey's themselves play their club hurling with Hospital-Herbertstown not far from the Tipperary border and since 1983 they hold the admirable honour of winning the county junior double in football and hurling and the Divisional South senior double. Little wonder then that Garvey brothers - all four of them including P.J and Dave - have hit high spots at various levels since then. The gifted P.J has enjoyed remarkable success with the Limerick footballers in all grades and was a member of that fine squad than ran Kerry close in last year's Munster final at Killarney. It was Limerick's first final appearance since 1965 and very few expected them to run the Kingdom close not alone to work up a score of 3-12. At half time they led by 2-8 to 0-10 and in a remarkable second half scored another goal before just losing out by two points, 0-23 to 3-12. P.J was one of the key figures in a forward that included James O'Donovan, Danny Fitzgerald, Timmie Cummins, Sean Kelly and rugby star Philip Danagher and there was almost universal sympathy for them in the end such was the tremendous effort they put in. Interestingly enough Andy has been on and off the Limerick Senior hurling side since the early 'eighties and won a league medal as a sub against Wexford in 1984. That was another highly successful Shannonside squad from Tommy Quaid to Matt Rea in the left hand corner and it is rather ironic that Quaid and Garvey are the sole survivors. Andy opted out of inter county fare in 1985 but was back at midfield with club colleague Jimmy Carroll for the 1986 championship with Liam figuring in the substitutes. That Limerick side was managed by former Dublin player Noel Drumgoole with Tim Crowe as trainer but they unexpectedly lost to Clare at Ennis. Liam Garvey came on for Brian Carroll in the second half but the damage was done in the first when the Banner County secured the two vital goals. In terms of experience and indeed accomplishments - after all Limerick have won two Munster titles and three League crowns plus All-Ireland minor and under 21 titles since 1980 - there is no comparison between themselves and Waterford but the men in green need to be careful about championship meetings with the men from the south-east. As Liam Garvey says: "Waterford will have nothing to lose and the two championship games will stand to them. They'll certainly be a force and it will be tough for our lads from the word go." But, the men in green, who were last beaten by Waterford in the championship of 1982, are playing confidently and they'll be hoping to maintain their respective position after the glorious league triumph. Best known among the backs are two other distinguished brothers Pa and Ciaran Carey from Patrickswell who have quickly emulated those other Limerick servants of the past Leonard Enright and Mossie Carroll. Brian Finn and Declan Nash who was in the half back line for last year's championships, should fill the respective corner back positions with Mike Houlihan and Andy Garvey outside them. Altogether a total of sixteen players figured in the scoring charts throughout the league series with Gary Kirby way out on front with 4-37. Mike Galligan, whose father Willie hurled with Cork in the 'sixties, is next in line with 0-17 and is followed by Liam Garvey 3-4, Shane Fitzgibbon and Ger Hegarty 1-7 each, Ciaran Carey 0-6, Terence Kenny 1-1, Frankie Carroll 0-4, Mike Houlihan 0-4, Mike Reale 0-3, Pat Davoran, Anthony Carmody and Andy Garvery 0-2 each and Pat Heffernan, Joe O'Connor and Ray Samson 0-1 each. And Speaking of Cork, there is stronger Leeside connection on the sideline with team trainer John Sheehan, Medical Advisor Dr. Dave Boylan and selectors Pat O'Sullivan and Vincent Foley all natives of the Rebel County, Moreover, John O'Halloran, who collected an All-Ireland medal with Cork in 1996, trains the under 21 team that includes the third member of the Garvey family P.J. However, the youngest of the family has already scaled impressive heights with the Limerick hurlers as well as that the footballers and was a member of their minor team that narrowly failed to Clare in the 1989 Munster Final. On that same day Pairc Ui Chaoimh he scored 1-2 from the full forward position but it wasn't enough to save the Limerick youths who suffered a galling 2-13 to 2-12 defeat. Significantly, the game finished in a water of excitement when Limerick were awarded a 25 metre free in the dying moments when they were two points in arrears. The task fell to P.J. Garvey who had no option but to try for a goal but his cracking drive was deflected over the bar by a Clare defender. From the puck out the long whistle sounded and Limerick found it hard to believe they had lost a game they could well have won. Nowadays, all three brothers are worthy ambassadors of the "wearing of the green" and will continue to do their county proud. Taken from Hogan Stand magazine 12th June 1992 Tweet

Most Read Stories