Limerick's greatest team have changed the county forever
JP McManus has bankrolled both the Academy and the senior team. The structures now in place are the envy of the rest of the hurling world. It's hard to see Limerick being also-rans again any time soon. One defeat on a big day won't change that.
They lined up one by one. Familiar faces with little in common except that mid-west drawl. Diluted, in some cases. Thick as treacle in others.
It was over two decades ago and Limerick had a certain image, one that the authorities were keen to shake off. All the headlines about gangland and violence. All the thoughtless jibes about 'Stab City'.
So a video was put together of well-known Shannonsiders repeating the same simple message with pride - "I'm From Limerick''. The writer Frank McCourt, horseracing's JP McManus, broadcaster and journalist Vincent Browne, Olympic rower Sam Lynch, rugby's Paul O'Connell, hurling's Ciaran Carey, Emma O'Driscoll from the pop group 'Six'...
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The four minute video ran in cinemas before 2001 blockbusters, including the latest Harry Potter movie and Lord of the Rings.
Back then, it was seen as a bold statement. Over 20 years on, Limerick pride is being shouted from the rooftops. And it's all down to an incredible hurling team.
Sunday's defeat to Cork hasn't changed that. If anything, it has made many reflect on the astonishing impact made by John Kiely, Paul Kinnerk and their players in this decade.
In 1973, Limerick were All-Ireland champions and the talk was of them dominating the game. In 2018, Limerick were All-Ireland champions - and that was their first title since then.
In between and on and on, a whole heap of heartbreak. Summers passed, years passed, decades passed. And they could never get it right.
Limerick would be all verse and no chorus, or all chorus and no verse. Or, too often, not make any kind of tune at all.
JP McManus was a bright young thing in '73, forcing his way into the Croke Park dressingroom to join in the celebrations.
During the noughties, he decided Limerick needed a helping hand to get back to the summit.
McManus has bankrolled both the Academy and the senior team. The structures now in place are the envy of the rest of the hurling world. It's hard to see Limerick being also-rans again any time soon.
"Success breeds success. When I'm out and about now, driving through different villages, you see kids out with hurleys,'' said former Limerick great Ciaran Carey.
"Timing is everything. The Academy started in Limerick, which was a huge help and support. John Kiely was very successful at minor and Under-21 level - it was perfect timing for him to come in with this crop, and Paul Kinnerk doesn't get the credit he deserves. He's turned the game inside out for the better.
"Combine that with the squad, the Academy, the sponsor, John Kiely together - perfect timing.''
When they captured Liam MacCarthy for the first time in 45 years in 2018, it was special - made all the more special by the masses singing along to 'Dreams' by The Cranberries after the final whistle.
One of Carey's old teammates, Joe Quaid, was part of the wave that became a tsunami. When his playing days ended, he dabbled in coaching and took on the Limerick Under-14s in 2009.
It turned out to be a gifted bunch - one that included Cian Lynch, Tom Morrissey and Colin Ryan. Sean Finn and Aaron Gillane weren't quite strong enough for the As but were there too, putting in a shift with the B team.
Quaid fell for them, and they fell for him. Their bond went beyond the field. He took them on a trip to Croke Park for an All-Ireland semi-final so that they could get a taste of the big day.
They'd go on to win an Under-16 All-Ireland but without Quaid, who was controversially pushed aside.
They never forgot him, though. When Limerick won their breakthrough All-Ireland in 2018, his proteges sought Quaid out and embraced him.
He threw himself into the celebrations too. DJ Mark McCabe took to the decks in one city nightclub and the place went wild when he stuck on his smash hit 'Maniac 2000'. Quaid threw himself into the madness.
"I was never a Cranberries fan before that. I'm a Cranberries fan now because of them being played after the win,'' he said.
"Same with 'Maniac 2000'. It was something I could have taken or left, but to be out the night after Limerick winning their first All-Ireland in 45 years, and the whole of the Limerick team up on stage with the guy who wrote it, the lot of them with their shirts off, it was just mental!
"I don't think any night will ever replicate it. I don't think I'd have enjoyed the night in 1994 and '96 any better had we won either of them. It's a great time to be from Limerick."
That's where Limerick are now. Perennial losers transformed into serial winners. One loss on a big day won't change that. They'll rise again.
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