'We’ll get Christmas out of these celebrations': Fr Casey's savour glory

Adrian Enright was a chasing a Limerick SFC title for 13 years. He finally got his medal with Sunday's victory over Kildimo-Pallaskenry

Adrian Enright: 'Straight away after the final whistle, I was embracing my father. The tears were just streaming down my face.' Pic: Matt Browne/Sportsfile

Twenty years will have felt like a lifetime for those tied to the Fr. Casey’s club in Abbeyfeale. Ever present in the top tier of Limerick football in the interim, they were often watching on as many of their sporting rivals collected the biggest prize.

However, eventually, they delivered on all their underage promise, and turned those false dawns and near misses into glory with a tense but deserved two-point win over Kildimo-Pallaskenry.

“The famine is finally over! Twenty years, you look around here today, the occasion, the joy, the moment. I can’t put it into words. Straight away after the final whistle, I was embracing my father. The tears were just streaming down my face," explained Adrian Enright.

A man who served the green of Limerick proudly for many years was a star performer as his side never trailed against a club playing in a maiden senior final. His three points were important but so too was his willingness to get out in front in a second half where the kitchen sink was thrown at his team.

He won many balls on the 45, often retaining possession or opening the door for others to continue the attack. It was a smart and accurate display from the 32-year-old.

“I’m 13 years chasing a title, John Riordan is chasing it 19 years. Others are after it 13, 14 years. It’s a famine. To bring it home finally, it’s just a dream."

It’s a ninth title overall, but just a fourth since the 1940s. Many close calls, losing 17 finals in their storied history.

“It’s a term that is used up and down the country ‘This year will be our year’, we are obviously hearing that the last 20 years but since we started, we are telling ourselves, ‘It is coming’. We’ve been chasing it, and finally to get over the line and get the monkey off our back – I just can’t put it into words.

“You sometimes get into the bubble that the squad is chasing the county final, but when you get there, you see the joy that it has now brought to the people from Abbeyfeale. There are so many that have gone but who played a role in getting that county title, those who volunteered, who’ve done everything to get that title.

“Four years ago, Eoin Joy stepped away from being a player and became manager. He got this club back into setting a standard and putting belief into us. 

"Shane Kelly (coach from Newcastle West) came in and started putting more belief into us. You fast-forward another three years and you have Keith Harnett and Mark Fitzgerald, they just got us playing that Kerry style of football – kick-passing, take your man on. 

“Forget about your Munster Club, we’ll get Christmas out of these celebrations!”