Shane Dowling tribute to mentor Ger Hoey
Hoey, who died suddenly seven years ago, was part of Doora-Barefield’s All-Ireland club success in 1999 and was a neighbour of Dowling’s.
“I went to a load of (Doora-Barefield) training sessions with Ger. I still get on quite well with the family and I’ve gotten to know Christy O’Connor and a few more because of it. He was very good to me and I’m so delighted I’ve been able to pay back him today and I just hope he is looking down.
“All I can say is thanks for what he did for me when I was young.”
Dowling was impassioned about the implications for Limerick hurling of yesterday’s result: “There are definitely clubs back home who are going to be jealous but that’s only natural. As well as the jealousy, what I would like to think is that in the other side of their head that they’re quite happy. Anyone that’s Limerick hurling and has its best interests at heart will know that this has broken a hoodoo. This bullshit that Limerick teams can’t go up to Croke Park and perform.
“Well, Na Piarsaigh have never come up to Croke Park and not performed.
“That was nothing got to do with it. I just think this rubbish of Limerick and Croke Park is dead and buried now at this stage.”
Dowling was honest about the difference in Na Piarsaigh this season: “As well as everything, we got a bit of luck. There’s no point saying otherwise.
“Sixmilebridge, nine points down. Thurles, nip and tuck the whole way. Patrickswell, county final, one point. Kilmallock, county semi-final, one point. You need luck.
“But when we got to the All-Ireland semi-final, as hard as Oulart pushed us I think the past experience showed and we always knew once we got to Croke Park that we had the players to express themselves and I think that happened.”
Dowling was keen to share the glory of yesterday’s win: “People who played will get credit for this but I have to stress that the subs had just as much of a part to play.
“Not just the subs, there are people back home who have died this year, others in hospital, some people getting old, the people who founded the club and without all of them we wouldn’t be here. Sean Stack was with us for five years, without Sean we wouldn’t be here today. My Under-12, Under-14, Under-16, minor manager all the way up – they all have as much to do with this as we do.”
The wing-forward wasn’t sure he’d be training kids in Na Piarsaigh tomorrow morning (“At 9am, I’d like to think I would but I can’t guarantee it this weekend”), and he will not figure for the county side this Sunday in their clash with Clare.
“I haven’t spoken to TJ (Ryan, Limerick manager) and I don’t know whether he plans to ring me. I’m going to enjoy this and we’ll get back to the county scene whenever that will be, but it won’t be Sunday. I can’t speak for them (other Na Piarsaigh county players) if TJ calls them, but no I don’t think so. Anyway, what benefit would you be?
“As well as everything else why would you go out and play a big game on Sunday when you are going to be out celebrating for the next few nights?”
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