Big days keep on coming for Effin

THE hurlers of Effin have come a very long way in a very short time. Last year the small rural Limerick outfit claimed their first adult county title with junior hurling championship success.

Twelve months on and the intermediate crown was added to the trophy cabinet.

And the good times could get better tomorrow with a Munster club final against Kerry senior champions Ballyduff. Heady days and a different club from the late 60s, as recalled by long-time club stalwart Mike Carroll.

Carroll said: “I was 16, working on my father’s farm for 10 shillings a week. Effin were playing an U14 game in Bruree. I went to Donovan’s pub [now Barrett’s] to meet the players and ended up taking 14 of the lads to the game in a VW Beetle! No license, no tax, no insurance, and almost no petrol — I had enough for two shilling’s worth but that was all. I had five in the front, I don’t know how many in the back, then two in the little partition behind the back seat, and a couple more in under the bonnet in the front — the engine was in the back of the Beetle.

“They had to hold on to the bonnet, to keep it down! I was covered in sweat by the time we got there!”

In those years the South Limerick junior championship was the limit of Effin’s ambitions and in 1982, following the transfer of John Dillon (Ballyhea) and Jim Moloney (Kilmallock), that title was won for the third time. The Nineties, however, was when Effin enjoyed their most successful period before the modern generation started to set new records — three-in-a-row of South titles, with Carroll as team manager.

“Pure coincidence!” laughs Moloney. “The man who made the difference to that team was Tommy Quaid!”

The great Tommy Quaid, All Star goalkeeper in 1992 but an outfield star with his native Feohanagh became a phenomenal scorer for Effin during those three years.

“When I heard that Tommy was moving to the parish and wanted to buy a site,” says Mike, “I met him and told him — play with us and I’ll give it to you for nothing!”

£3,000 was the value of the site but Tommy wouldn’t be tempted and didn’t take Mike up on his generous offer. Eventually, however, he relented and even though then in his late 30s, his presence lifted Effin.

In a tragedy that stunned not just his new parish but all of hurling, Tommy died in a construction accident in 1998 but today, two of Tommy’s sons are pivotal members of this Effin team, Nicky at centre-back, Tommy jnr at full-forward. Two others, John Dillon (full-back) and Damien Moloney (centre-forward), sons of the other ‘blow-ins’, are also key men.

This is how a team is formed, native sons and new blood alike, all united in a common aim. Yet another blow-in, Bruree native Peter Finn, has also had a massive influence. The manager for the last two years, he has overseen all this success.

“When we won the intermediate title in September it was the 15th straight championship win in Limerick — I think next Sunday is the 30th game for Effin in two years and their only loss was against Meelin last year.

“They’re here on merit, a great bunch of lads; anything you ask them to do, they do it.”

Final word to one of Effin’s finest ever, the great Tom Bluett, never substituted in 13 years of service to Limerick.

“This team is the most successful Effin team of all time. They have a big panel, great depth. We were lucky to get 15 in my day. What this means to the older generation, but more importantly, what it means to the younger generation [is incredible]. You see those lads all now wearing the Effin jersey around the place. There is great pride in what’s been achieved and what’s still being achieved.”