Limerick all out to capitalise on success

LIMERICK GAA officials are confident of reaping the benefits of Sunday’s All-Ireland SHC semi-final win over Waterford.

Board Chairman Denis Holmes believes the real challenge will be to capitalise on the interest generated by the team’s campaign — particularly among the youth — and strengthen the association at schools and club level in the city and county.

He explained: “It’s unbelievable to be in the final. You’d want to see the excitement that was in Limerick last week before the semi-final. The final is going to be unreal. It’s up to us really as a county to build on it, from a GAA point of view. We have had a great year from a hurling point of view and the players and the management have been tremendous,’’ he commented.

Another man with an eye to future growth is former chairman Gerry Bennis, older brother of senior manager, Richie. Now, Schools Development Officer at second level, he feels the success of the team this year has worked wonders for the promotion of the games all over the county.

“It means absolutely everything. We’re starved for so many years,’’ he said.

Long-time Board Secretary Jimmy Hartigan described it as ‘an unbelievable result,’ commenting: “we were complete underdogs but that’s the way we like it. The difference between this and the Munster final was that this time we took our chances with goals. And it made all the difference in the end.’’