They join Bohemians and Athlone Town in being accepted to an expanded nine-team top tier for 2020.

Limerick United will provide a “bottom up” reboot of football in the region according to interim Chairman of the new club and former CEO of Limerick and City Council, Conn Murray.

Last night Dave Mahedy closed his office door for the final time at the University of Limerick. As Director of Sport and Recreation, Mahedy has been the driving force behind the growth — and importance — of sport at all levels in UL for almost 30 years.

Two of tomorrow’s provincial finalists lost the central figures in their hurling histories within six years of each other. Mick Mackey of Limerick passed away in 1982, while Wexford’s Nicky Rackard died in 1976.

Irish Examiner staff writers and columnists on how they’d excel in their chosen sports at the Olympics - under certain favourable terms and conditions of course...