THE MUNSTER HURLING CHAMPIONSHIP has always been a different breed. It’s relentlessly exciting, pulsating and dramatic.
And today marks the 100-year anniversary of a memorable semi-final clash between Cork and Limerick in Thurles.
The Rebels were in front with just a few minutes remaining when one of their players – P. Nagle – tangled with the Shannonsiders’ captain John Mackey. As the pair came to blows, some of the 14,000 in attendance raced onto the pitch and got involved too.
The referee later said he had no option but to abandon the game but it wasn’t replayed. Limerick had failed to score and Cork had racked up 2-01 as the game ebbed toward the finish line. Still, there was plenty of time left for a comeback, however unlikely it would’ve been.
Cork went on to qualify for that year’s All-Ireland final but lost out to Laois at Croke Park.
The folks at Century Ireland have done an excellent job of recounting the story here.
