2009: What happens when you stare into a crystal ball for an inordinate amount of time?

In terms of drama and black comedy 2008 has raised the bar and it may prove difficult for 2009 to match the events of the last twelve months. But, as we look into the crystal ball, we can do so with the confidence that anything, in Limerick sport at least, is truly possible . . .

January
Munster crush the Sale Sharks to advance to the knock-out stages of the Heineken Cup. The FAI throws €2 million at the Market’s Field and senior soccer returns to that famous old ground.

February
The hurlers and footballers begin their respective league campaigns in rare form and just for the crack win a couple of games.

March
Árdscoil Rís stun the entire province winning the Dr. Harty Cup for Limerick and in the process beat Thurles CBS (a bunch of cocky Tipperary lads) in the final. The Eircom League kicks off, the new single-division Eircom League mind, with Limerick thrashing Shamrock Rovers to within an inch of their lives (9-0) at the Market’s Field.

April
Darren Sutherland (who obviously thinks he smells sweeter than most) takes on Andy Lee at the UL Arena. Lee makes Sutherland suffer for a while before knocking the Olympic bronze medallist into the following week. Garryowen complete an emotional year when they win the AIL Division One title beating Cork Con in the final.

May
Before hammering Leinster in the Heineken Cup final Munster beat Leinster with a last minute try to also win the Magners League. On the last day of the English Premier League season Lee J Lynch scores a hat-trick against Liverpool which helps Albion avoid relegation and denies Liverpool the title. The Limerick hurlers, as they prepare to face Waterford in the league final, come up with a devious plan: they throw that game and then surprise the Déise in the Munster semi-final - obviously they go on to beat Tipperary in the provincial decider.

June
Although Regional United win the Premier League Fairview Rangers steal their thunder winning the FAI Junior Cup with a superb 2-0 win against the all-conquering Killester United at Tolka Park. Incidentally Pike Rovers win the Munster Junior Cup as well. And, just for extra fun, the Desmond League win the Oscar Traynor Trophy for the second consecutive season.

July
Limerick’s footballing men stun the entire province and streak to their first Munster title since 1896. Conor Niland shocks the tennis world by qualifying for the first round proper of Wimbledon and then beating the highly-annoying Andy Murray. Niland is then struck down by injury in the quarter-finals when the Limerick star has Andy Roddick on the ropes.

August
The hurlers, drawn against Kilkenny after the Cats incredibly lose the Leinster final to Anthony Daly’s Dublin, beat Brian Cody’s side in a bloodbath in Thurles and happily clear the way for a Tipperary side, stung by their defeat to Limerick in the Munster final, to go on and win the All-Ireland.

September
The Limerick footballers, who celebrated a tad too much after winning their first provincial title in 103 years, are beaten by Mayo in the All-Ireland final.

October
Although Limerick have won their first Munster title since 1996 the County Board incredibly sack Justin McCarthy and the interview process begins to select a new manager. Adare win the county hurling final, again.

November
Drom-Broadford, after successfully defending their county championship, face and beat Nemo Rangers (again) in the provincial final. Adare, making up for their defeat in the 2008 Munster final at the hands of De La Salle, thrash Toomevara in the Munster hurling final.

December
After a competent season in the Eircom League Limerick 37 see off Cork City in the FAI Cup final. Andy Lee and John Duddy clash for the world middleweight title in Las Vegas. Duddy tries hard, but Lee does enough to stop Duddy in the ninth round.

Brian McDonnell