LIMERICK HURLING CAPTAIN Donal O’Grady travelled as a 16-year old youth to Páirc Uí Chaoimh back in 1996.
He watched in delight back then as Limerick inflicted a 16-point beating on a Cork team that had arrived on a wave of expectation with Jimmy Barry-Murphy at the helm for the first time in championship.
In 2001, he was lining out for the county’s intermediate team in the curtain-raiser to the senior game that saw Limerick produce a major shock when Barry Foley sliced over an exquisite sideline cut to seal a 1-16 to 1-15 win.
O’Grady has only played there a handful of times as a player but he’s hoping to create more good memories in next Sunday’s Munster final.
“They were great memories. The one that stands out in my head is 2001 with Barry Foley putting the sideline over when no one gave Limerick a chance. I remember there was an electric atmosphere that day. There was great players on show on both teams.
“I played in the intermediate game actually before it. So yeah, I did play there and there was a big enough crowd that day. I’ve played four competitive games there I’d say in ten years. None of them were senior championship. We played a few league games there and the U21 championship but nothing senior.”
Despite the debate that erupted over the venue choice for next Sunday’s final, O’Grady revealed it did not effect the Limerick players and believes the crowd will have a key role to play next Sunday.
“We had it in our heads from the start that it would be in Pairc Uí Chaoimh. That was only fair to Cork because we had the advantage if you want to call it that of being at home last year.
“From a players point of view we’re just focused on Páirc Uí Chaoimh. There were rumours going around that the capacity would be a concern, but not for the players. We just had to stay focused.
“Genuinely, and I’d say no player will say otherwise, you do feed off the crowd. It’s a huge help. Cork will probably out number Limerick. There’s something about Pairc Ui Chaoimh. They’re very proud of their county.
“If you can get up to a level playing well, the crowd will come with you. The other side of it is that if we can get up and upset Cork, get the crowd on their back and get the Limerick crowd going, who’s to know.”