Fr Tom flies the banner for Limerick

A priest whose parish straddles the Clare/Limerick border admitted yesterday he will be “storming the heavens” at Sunday Mass tomorrow for the Limerick hurlers, even though most of his flock will be cheering on the Banner in Croke Park when the counties clash in the All Ireland senior hurling semi-final. The winners will face Cork.

“I hope it doesn’t hit my Christmas dues collection,” said Fr Tom Carroll.” But I’m an out-and-out Limerick hurling follower all my life.”

More than 3,000 of the 5,000 parishioners in Parteen/Meelick/Coonagh parish are Clare natives, and Fr Tom’s house and parish church are in the Clare village of Parteen. Fr Tom, 63 said: “If Clare win I won’t be seen for a week. But if Limerick win I’ll be back first thing Monday morning, going up and down the main street of Parteen with the Limerick flag out the window of my car.”