Injury Time . . . with Jerome O'Connell

TWO emails came my way in the last week. Firstly, a Knocklong man had words of congratulations for all involved with Lifting the Treaty.


“I just wanted to highlight the good work that is being done at underage GAA in Limerick.
“I was at an under-8 hurling blitz in Ballybricken and while I am not from what could be termed a traditional GAA background was very impressed with the set-up and professional organisation on show as well as the warm welcome extended to all.
“Most importantly the kids appear to be well looked after and families seemed to go home happy afterwards,” he wrote.
So a big well done to all involved in the restructured competitions.
On that, a word of advise from Ger Downes - one of those involved with one of the new clusters.
“These league games are being played for the benefit of the child, for to help him/her develop their potential and skill level while enjoying themselves and the game,” said Downes.
He pleads: “Results of games are irrelevant, set a good example from the start, encourage fair play at all times from one and all and get players to shake hands before and after games.
“Let us all, whether be coaches, parents, brothers, sisters, grandmothers, grandfathers or just supporters, show respect for our match officials, other coaches, parents and most importantly the players”.
In the second letter, there are no words of solace though, from a Pallasgreen reader.
“Today I logged onto the Limerick GAA website and clicked on the ‘results & fixtures page’.
“Result?
“Total blank - what is the point of having a website aimed at promoting our games & then putting nothing on it?,” he queried
“Either run the site properly or take it off altogether.
“Still, maybe the new full time secretary will get to grips with it.
“With ever diminishing attendances at local games it must be worth keeping the general public informed & engaged as much as possible.”

First All-Ireland Football Final
A medal from Limerick’s success in the first ever All-Ireland football final has finally found a new home.
The medal from 1887 has travelled to the other side of the world from Limerick, down under in Australia and back to Donegal has finally found its way to a new home in North Tipperary.
The medal that was won by Michael Slattery, a member of the Limerick Commercials team that won the very first All-Ireland football final, has been handed over to the Burgess GAA club.
Michael Slattery was a native of Tipperary but worked in Limerick and played his football with the Commercials club in the city.
The medal made its way to Donegal late last year to a Padraig McCafferty in Dunlewey courtesy of his brother Joe in Australia.
And after research by Padraig’s daughter Sally on Michael Slattery, and the medal, it was discovered that Slattery hailed from Tipperary.
Padraig McCafferty and his family travelled to Tipperary and were guests of the Burgess club at a number of function at which the medal was passed over to Kitty Looby, the wife of a grand nephew of Michael Slattery.
Padraig McCafferty, received the medal from his brother, Joe, who is in 80s and lives in Australia.
The medal had been handed on to Joe McCafferty by a Michael Quinn, a godson of Michael Slattery’s son, Bill Slattery, who had befriended Joe and was anxious that the medal be returned to Ireland and a GAA home.
The medal had been handed down to Michael Quinn from Bill Slattery (no relation), who in turn had received the medal from his father, the one and only Michael Slattery, who had emigrated to Brisbane, in Australia shortly after winning the All-Ireland.