The future was blindingly bright back on July 14th, 2013.
Not only were Cork soundly beaten as Limerick claimed a first Munster SHC title in 18 years, but a week earlier Kilkenny had been eliminated from the Championship by Tipperary.
Limerick had already defeated the Premier County themselves in Munster, so the form lines were encouraging.
The dominant team of the modern era had been beaten by their only recent rival, a team that Limerick themselves had beaten in the height of summer.
You could forgive the hordes that flooded on to the Gaelic Grounds pitch for getting a little ahead of themselves. A first Munster title since 1996 was nice, but a first Liam McCarthy since 1973 would be magic altogether.
Instead it was their neighbours Clare, having seen off Limerick in their next outing, who beat Cork in a breath-taking All-Ireland final replay.
Limerick have been wondering how that happened ever since and they will have another spring of contemplation ahead of them after Sunday’s Allianz Hurling League Division 1B decider loss to the Banner.
Having finished runner-up in the last two years, TJ Ryan had set his team the target of promotion from Division 1B this spring but a poor start, some conservative tactics and the sending off of Barry Nash see Limerick stuck at the kiddies table for another summer.
Make no mistake, languishing in Division 1B is a distinct disadvantage. Escaping it is the only antidote – as shown by Waterford’s league title and All-Ireland semi-final run last year, or Cork’s promotion and Munster SHC title in 2014 (however ephemeral it may have been).
Before they won that 2013 Munster title, Limerick topped Division 1B, but lost a final to Dublin. In 2011 they were promoted from Division 2, only to be stranded in Division 1B after a revamp of the structures.
Next year will be Limerick’s seventh straight in the second tier. There is nothing good to be said for that situation – if you disagree ask anyone from Wexford, Laois or Offaly.
Ask Davy Fitzgerald how happy he is to escape at the first time of asking.
The results this spring don’t hint at an ultra competitive competition, they speak of a graveyard of ambition.
Congratulations to Kerry on their victories over Laois and Offaly and it is an achievement to be proud of. But rather than Kerry raising to the level of All-Ireland challengers we have seen a traditional county like Offaly reduced to the level of also-ran and the great hope for hurling evangelists, Laois, back to square one.
Ryan knows these are not the matches he needs to bring his Limerick team to the pitch of battle, these are matches for fooling yourself and slipping further behind the powerhouses in the top tier.
This is not a gripe about the structures. Division 1A of the hurling league has been entertaining this year – undoubtedly more entertaining than it would have been had two more teams been added to it.
Limerick condemned to Division 1B for a 7th season. Fitzgibbon champs, club champs, U21 champs… they need to be in the top tier#GAA
— GAA JOE (@GAA__JOE) March 20, 2016
Fine if you promote Clare and Limerick this year, but next season two of Wexford, Offaly, Laois and Kerry are going to have to be promoted. That is hardly going to improve the standard.
The balance is correct and the onus is rightly on the teams to plot their own escape, but that becomes more and more difficult with every year spent in the second tier.
Division 1 QFs: Offaly-Kilkenny (toss); Wexford-Waterford (Wexford Park); Limerick-Dublin (toss); Clare-Tipp (toss). #Prayfor Offaly#GAA
— GAA JOE (@GAA__JOE) March 20, 2016
Ryan will take heart from the return of the Na Piarsaigh contingent, who just last week became the first Limerick side to capture the AIB All-Ireland senior club hurling title.
It’s another pot to add to the Munster and All-Ireland Under-21 titles they hold, plus the Fitzgibbon Cup claimed by Mary Immaculate College with a final victory over University of Limerick.
Hurling in Limerick is thriving but it is difficult to thrive in Division 1B.
