Marty Morrissey reflects on past Munster finals ahead of Limerick vs Clare
It was the summer Elvis died. The radio played his songs on a loop, stopping only for a round up of the day's news and sport.Marty Morrissey was young and nothing was more important in his life than word about Ger Loughnane’s fitness or Noel Casey’s availability. All that summer was spent waiting, either for the sports to come on the radio or Sunday to come around.First it was for the league final, Clare’s first win in that competition since 1946.
There’d be other chastening experiences. He sat on a wall in Milltown Malbay and watched Kerry score nine goals and twenty one points while Clare responded with 1-9. No other team, they noted, scored as much against Kerry that summer. “We were hanging on to our fingernails for anything to boast about,” Morrissey laughs.
Just as he was in 2017 when he commentated on Galway winning their first All-Ireland hurling title since ‘88 and again in 2018 when Limerick bridged a gap back to 1973. “Your history tells you; your life experiences for your county, that all comes out in those times. Okay my county is Clare, and my jersey colour is different, but the generations of defeats, the feelings and emotions are exactly the same. You know what it is like. You want to draw from your own experiences and get that passion across in your message.”
“When Clare’s footballers won in 1992, I remember us all heading through Nenagh, seeing this big sign which said: ‘Croke Park is this way, lads’.”“It was wonderful to win the All-Irelands in 1995 and 1997. But the roar when Clare ran onto the pitch in 1992 still resonates for any of us who were lucky to be alive. It had a huge positive effect on the hurlers. They were inspired by it. Loughnane saw how John Maughan had driven a team forward through serious hard work.
Ireland Latest News, Ireland Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Cleary named to start Munster final as Clare and Limerick show their handsThe defender went off with what appeared to be a serious injury against Cork.
Read more »
Clare name injury doubt Conor Cleary in starting team for Munster hurling finalAdrian Mullen misses Kilkenny’s Leinster final against Galway at Croke Park
Read more »
Why Clare’s passion for the Munster championship burns like an undying flameIt’s 1998 since Lohan was a central figure on the last Clare team that won the province and now, as manager, his team are intent on bridging that long gap
Read more »
Limerick vs Clare: Munster hurling eagerly awaits latest instalmentProvincial championship a beacon for code as counties set to resume the modern game’s most spectacular rivalry
Read more »
86 years on, a look at Limerick's last Munster hurling drive for five86 years on, a look at Limerick's last Munster hurling drive for five. | DeclanBogue
Read more »