Limerick’s deadly rivals ready to renew old battles

YOU’D never think so today but there was a time when Shannon and Garryowen were close allies! Legend has it that towards the end of the 19th century and for much of the 20th, Shannon were the junior partners and annually passed on the cream of their crop so that Garryowen could dominate the coveted Munster Senior Cup for years.

You can easily understand why the arrangement didn’t always meet with the approval of Shannon supporters and as the years went by, they fought to be granted senior status, the vote finally going in their favour in 1953.

Shannon were now able to hold onto their players and Garryowen were forced to go elsewhere in search of talent.