I loved the story about how Tom got rid of Anthony Carmody for playing a soccer match on the same day that Limerick were playing a league match.I got a phone call saying that Carmody and Ciaran Carey were playing soccer that morning behind in Pallaskenry.Bang!Straight out the door he was sent!Never seen again while i was in charge!
Did they win the soccer match? Was it a final?
And what did Ciaran do to deserve preferential treatment
Where, did you get that BLANK expression on your face?
This is an amazon review of Unlimited Heartbreak.
The first thing to say about this book is that everyone, and I mean everyone, who has any interest in Limerick hurling should read it. Henry Martinâs interviews with players, managers, coaches and selectors from as far back as 1940 give us, as a county, much to ponder. They tell an engrossing tale of dedication, hard luck and back-room disharmony, and a legacy which seems to have left many of the interviewees with deep, lasting regrets.
We get a fascinating history of the game through the playersâ eyes, and how seemingly minor events had a major impact. For example, much has been written about the 1955 Munster Final against Clare, but very little about the introduction of the non-stop rule, and the impact it had on that match. The manipulations of Canon Punch in '49 are also intriguing, as is the rarely-discussed fact that Ahaneâs unbeatable teams of the 40s and 50s were backboned by several players from other clubs. There is also a harrowing re-telling of the near-tragic Mick Herbert incident of 1949.
But everywhere, there are regrets. In some cases, you feel compelled to ask whether some of these regrets are justified. Take the defeat to Clare in 1993. Phil Bennis is critical of the back-room shenanigans that led to us playing Clare in Ennis rather than at a neutral venue. Why would he have been afraid to go there, when we beat them easily in Ennis three years previously? And if the county board were at fault in '93, I never heard anyone congratulating them for the return fixture in Limerick in '96.
The defeat to Cork in 1987 also weighs heavily on the memories of those who played. Despite struggling for long periods in this match, we led by a point in injury time, and the ref would have played on until midnight if thatâs what it took to engineer a draw. Everyone remembers this, but no-one remembers that John Fitzgibbon scored a fantastic goal for Cork just before half time. However, the ball flew back out of the goal so fast that the umpire didnât see it. That would have put Cork four ahead and we could have been beaten heavily. This was our fate in the replay anyway, despite being strengthened by the return of Danny Fitzgerald.
Even more bitterly regretted is the defeat to Cork in 1984. Though our luck was out that day, it is left to Jimmy Barry Murphy to remind us that Cork came into the game having lost the All-Ireland final for the previous two years. Cork are born winners, and they understand that being a winner does not mean that you win all the time. Given that Limerick faded from the scene for ten years after this match while Cork went on to win the All-Ireland, we clearly have a lot to learn from Cork in how to handle defeat. The 1980 final against Galway is discussed in a similar vein, despite the fact that we were well beaten that day by a far better team.
One of the central characters in the book is Tom Ryan. Unfortunately, he has few good words to say about anyone. I was struck by his recollection of the Mike Galligan saga in 1996. He pins the blame for this on the county board for refusing to allow Galligan onto the field because he was not one of the official subs. The clear insinuation is that Tomâs hands were tied. But for a man who, according to himself, took so much pleasure on so many occasions in telling the county board where to stick it, why didnât he do it then?
Tom contributed hugely to Limerick hurling, possibly more than any one individual in the last 30 years. It would be terrible to think that all he has to show for his efforts are bitter memories. He managed Limerick to the Munster championship, and won an All-Ireland on the pitch with Limerick. Only Mick Mackey can say the same. Maybe it is time that Tom got some official recognition for what he has done for his county.
Chaotic team management is a recurring theme. It is comical to read that we had almost as many managers as players in 1955. Yet, forty seven years later, the team imploded because a cobbled-together five man management team could not work together. The subsequent tenures of Dave Keane, Pad Joe Whelehan and Joe McKenna all ended prematurely, leaving the overwhelming impression that we need to start learning from our mistakes.
But above all, the regrets keep pouring though. The years 1935, 1949, 1955, 1956, 1966, 1970, 1971, 1974, 1984, 1987, 1994 and 1996 are all offered as years in which, with any luck, we could have won the All-Ireland. While this may be true, you begin to think that a book like this about Clare, or Waterford, or Wexford, would be a
thousand pages long. In truth, whether it is lack of attitude or lack of players, we have consistently been unable to recover from setbacks, and as we see from 1973, weâre not able to recover from success either.
All Limerick fans owe Henry Martin a huge debt of gratitude for this book, and for the wonderful accompanying booklet that he produced with James Lundon. Well done lads.
Welcome to 5 years ago
my uncle regularly appears on west limerick radio
Just ignore that insufferable prick, Billy. Is your uncle one of the presenters of the GAA show because the station is hardly worth listening to without it. Having said that though your man from Ardagh does some good programmes with old lads and women. It can be interesting to hear them recall their own past.
no, he surmises local soccer
Wouldnât know who that is then, I have no interest whatsoever in soccerball local or otherwise.
well thatâs your loss
We will agree to disagree then. I have yet to decide which I would avoid more, rogbee or soccerball.
Tom won an all ireland as a player with Limerick and a munster championship as manager with Limerick.Tom 1 Eamonn 0!
Welcome to Neverland
Batt the Ladd = mickees uncle
Billy Da Kid = dickhead of monumental proportions.
Now fuck off. Iâm surprised you arenât here defending the performance today. It is clear that the appointed duo are not capable of bringing any glory and the County Boardsâs favourite boy, or should that be patsy, will never achieve anything as a âmanagerâ. But the clubs of Limerick voted for it so who do you blame now?
The referee and nobody else was the cause of Limerick failing to win
Tom, your people need you now more than ever, come on home!
Did this fella not have to step down from his job as Chairman of the Munster Council in disgrace?
Bump