Seeds of Limerick’s dominance sown by Cork missionary

Allen’s confidence in 2013 was reinforced by a rematch with the All-Ireland champions in May that must rank among the more consequential friendlies in GAA history.

“Kilkenny at the time were so dominant and didn’t generally play challenge games,” he says.

“JP McManus persuaded them to take part in the opening of Martinstown pitch, where he’s from. It was kind of a re-enactment of the ’73 final.

“Limerick beat Kilkenny, who had a strong enough team out, which marked my card that there wasn’t much difference between us.”

The draw put them straight into the Munster semi-finals for a June rematch against Tipperary. Current captain and centre-back Declan Hannon was a forward in those days and he top-scored with nine points as Limerick dominated the final quarter to claim their first provincial victory since 2007 on a 1-18 to 1-15 scoreline.

The opposition in the decider was Cork, who retained Tom Kenny from the team Allen led to glory in 2005, which is still the county’s most recent All-Ireland success. The game was delicately balanced at 10 points each when Patrick Horgan was sent off just before half-time. It remained a close battle until Limerick once again pulled away in the closing minutes, scoring seven in a row to win 0-24 to 0-15. Donal O’Grady became the first Limerick man to lift the Munster Cup since Ciaran Carey 17 years previously.

“My three kids were there wearing Cork colours,” recalls Allen. “But at the same time, this was a year and a half into a project with these players and backroom team, three nights a week. So there’s a bond and dedication to what you want to achieve. I was there to do a job and I had to be as professional as I could be and put my Corkism aside.

“It was a beautiful day. Everybody who saw the game and the crowds on the pitch after realised how much it meant to Limerick people.

“I always remember coming into the dressing-room after and Nickie Quaid saying to me ‘That was my first time beating Cork in a championship game’. I shouldn’t have been surprised but I was given he had player Under 21 and minor.”