TV time 'massive' for Limerick footballers in competition with other codes

Saturday's clash will be Limerick's third Croke Park game this year.

Limerick defeated Wicklow in the Tailteann Cup semi-final. They will play Kildare in the decider. Pic: Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile

The way Cillian Fahy sees it, Limerick sports people probably gravitate towards hurling first, then rugby, then soccer. Gaelic football? Fourth on the list at best.

"I was only thinking the other day actually, this year's league final was probably the first time a lot of kids in Limerick actually saw us play, because it was on TV," said the Limerick football captain.

"We don't have a big following so to actually get on TV for the Division 4 final, that was probably the first time a lot of people had seen us this year.

"Now to get this far and to be preparing for the Tailteann Cup final, to stay in the shop window as long as we have, to be on RTÉ two weeks ago for the semi-finals and to do it again this weekend is massive.

"It's really important for children to see, for kids to see that there's a competitive football team in Limerick and that there is a chance to get up to Croke Park and that there is a chance to be competing for silverware."

For a county not used to being in the shop window, Saturday's Tailteann Cup final against Kildare will actually be Limerick's third Croke Park game this year.

Prior to 2025, they hadn't played there since the 2022 Division 3 league final while, before that, it was 2013 when a Limerick football team had crossed the Croker whitewash.

To put the most positive spin on it, this season's Division 4 league final win, and the Tailteann semi-final win, were the first Croke Park outings for a number of Limerick players who therefore boast a perfect record at GAA HQ.

Opponents Kildare, meanwhile, have had a difficult time at Croke Park over the years, losing five games there in a row before labouring past Fermanagh in the recent semi-final.

"I don't think Kildare have any fear coming up there," maintained Fahy. "They have a lot more experience playing there than we do as well."

It helps Kildare too that they gained promotion from Division 3 this year, compared to Limerick winning Division 4. No Division 4 side has ever won the Tailteann Cup.

"We're here now, we're both in the final," shrugged Fahy. "Look, Kildare will be coming in as favourites. But we think we have every opportunity to perform and to play well and we'll see what happens after that."

The Dromcollogher/Broadford man is optimistic about it being a high-scoring, open and enjoyable game.

Both sides are stacked with quality forwards with Limerick benefiting from the strong form of goal poacher Danny Neville, 2024 Tailteann Cup All-Star Emmett Rigter, Fahy himself and the prolific James Naughton.

"He's in the form of his life," said Fahy of Naughton, who struck 4-12 in one league game alone this year. "He's playing unbelievable football. His free-taking is really something we rely on as well. He's very consistent with that. He's been incredible all year really. It's great to have him in that form and to have him as a weapon that we can rely on."