Once upon a time many years ago, when soccer was referred to as ‘The Garrison Game’ and memories of the Rule 26 Ban were still in vogue, an individual consciously set about dividing a parish down the middle by setting up a soccer club in a traditional rural GAA area.

He wasn’t the first such individual at that time and certainly wasn’t the last. The fissures created by the decision however remain deep rooted and word is that things haven’t quite been the same since. The team started quite poorly under his guidance, and it was only when he jumped onto another gravy train that the team’s fortunes started to improve. He was promoted through the ranks on that particular gravy train but, as time moved, on the memories as to where it all began became more and more distant. A devout supporter and instigator of the Garrison Game has now become somewhat the opposite, and would appear unconcerned if a clash of his country with that of the Gallic regions took place in a hay barn. A typical case of how time can transform sporting attitudes, beliefs and all known common sense. Ironic and all that it is, it’s exactly how things have transpired.

While on the subject of time, it must be said that it defines everything in a Limerick GAA sense. 32 years waiting for a McCarthy cup, 21 years waiting for a minor provincial title let alone an All Ireland, countless years since a football Munster title. The occasion has presented itself but the gods haven’t always smiled. Limerick have needed the gods to overcome one hurdle in a championship season, there’s only so much that can be asked and the second wish was never granted. Granted in 1980 against Cork but not so against Galway, granted in 1994 against Cork but not so against Offaly, granted against Clare and Tipp in 1996 but not so against Wexford. There is even an argument than in 1996 the Limerick hurlers rode their luck so much against Clare and Tipp that they have spent the past 8 years paying back for it none more so than the 2001 Munster final. In the December issue of ‘High Ball’ magazine, I have written a piece on discarding warriors too soon. Another example of how time effects things in a Limerick GAA sense.

Can 2005 bring success? At the time of writing, things don’t look so optimistic. Though John Quane’s return will be seen as a significant boost to their fortunes, the footballers are struggling yet again with groin injuries. Conor Fitzgerald, John Galvin, Micheal Reidy, Stephen Lavin have all spent time out of the game through groin injures. Galvin has succumbed again, this time joined by Jason Stokes. Is it the food, or the water in Limerick, or is it the rigours of modern intercounty football. Why have there been so many cases of this in the football camp and none in the hurling?

Not that the hurlers are any closer to success. TJ Ryan the management’s choice as captain has been removed from the position. It seems absurd to dispense with a player who has been on board since the beginning of the Tom Ryan era. Ollie Moran has been chosen as his replacement, a player who had an outstanding season in 2004, but a player whose consistency in previous years wouldn’t necessarily warrant a nomination as captain. The silence in terms of objections from Ahane would suggest contentment, and that a private mission has been accomplished. The prodigal sons of 2004 have also returned but are they a year older, a year wiser and a year more accepting of the sacrifices demanded? Limerick will give a game to anyone in both codes, but I fear we will be left waiting yet again for ultimate success.