As we build up to Féile this weekend, we take a look back on our trip to Wexford in 1984 and taking home the Christy Ring trophy.
Wonderful memories for the players and management with many still involved with Na Piarsaigh today.
The following is an extract from our Silver Jubilee book published back in 1993. It describes a period of unprecedented Féile success for Na Piarsaigh throughout the 1980’s with this piece focusing on our All Ireland Féile success in the 1984 competition, played in Wexford.
The strength of under age hurling in Na Piarsaigh during the 1980's cannot be better illustrated than by highlighting the historic six county titles in a row in the Féile na nGael U14 competition. Féile na nGael is a national competition where the County U14 Féile champions meet in a festival of hurling during a weekend in June to contest four divisional titles. The premier division consists of those counties regarded as the hurling strongholds and the prize in question is the renowned Christy Ring Trophy.
Driven by a grim determination and will to succeed where we had just failed in 1983, our U14 hurlers swept to victory in the All-Ireland Féile na nGael competition played in Wexford, to capture the Christy Ring Memorial Trophy for Na Piar-saigh and Limerick for the first time. Following the example of their excellent captain, Paul Condon, every member of the panel, played his part to secure this historic and prestigious victory. These young players displayed maturity beyond their years to give top class performances against the very cream of the country's U14 hurlers in four games, over a twenty four hour period, to emerge as champions.
Having successfully defended the County Limerick Féile title, making us the Limerick representatives, the national campaign began on a Saturday morning with a victory over the host club Faythe Harriers.
Na Piarsaigh 1984 Féile na nGael team who captured the Christy Ring Trophy. Back row (l-r): Brendan Doyle, Eamon O’Connell, Risteard O’Flaherty, Pat Barry, Billy Marshall, Brian Fitzgerald, Christian Tierney, Cian O’Rahilly, John McGovern, Ger Foote. Seated (l-r): Morgan Mulcahy, Colin Keating, Paul Beary, Conor Shiels, Paul Condon(C), Damian Quigley, Paul Carroll, Philip Burke, Neil Bruen. Front (l-r) Neil Howlett, Brian Carroll.
This first game is always approached with apprehension as one never knows what to expect. Within an hour we were "coaching' our way to the next venue, Ballymurren, to meet and defeat the Clare champions, Sixmilebridge by the score 3-5 to 1-1. With the 'Bridge' negotiated, we returned to Wexford for a meal before setting off to the next venue which was Oulart, of Mick Jacob fame. This game was timed for 6.30 and the opposition on this occasion was provided by Lios Mor, the Waterford champions. On a beautifully appointed pitch but weather conditions atrocious, the Na Piarsaigh boys gave, what many considered, the performance of the championship. Sweeping the opposition aside we won 6-4 to 0-2 to book a place in the Féile Final. Many shrewd observers, mostly Wexford folk, were predicting that the Na Piarsaigh team would emerge as outright winners. However, the opposit-ion, Toomevara, the Tipperary champions, had given sterling performances to qualify for the final as they had in their group the champions of Cork (Glen Rovers), Galway (Athenry), and Kilkenny (Thomastown). The scene was set for a rip-roaring final, which was fixed for Wexford the following afternoon.
After three hard games and many miles of travel it was an exhausted group but an extremely happy one that returned to Wexford that evening.
What happened in the final is now history. Na Piarsaigh won by 1-4 to 1-0 after an exhilarating game of hurling, with both teams producing a spectacle of skill and commitment that had the large sun-basking crowd on their feet from the throw-in to the final whistle. The Na Piarsaigh team and supporters were delirious, with pride and joy when His Excellency, the President, Dr. P. Hillery, presented the coveted Christy Ring Memorial Trophy to Paul Condon, a captain who led by example and hurled outstandingly through the campaign.
The return trip to Limerick was a memorable one. The reception and the celebration in the Na Piarsaigh club were befitting an All-Ireland winning team. The panel and mentors were congratulated all round. Speaking on behalf of the other mentors John Ryan and Tim O'Connor, Fr. Tom Carroll praised the boys for the dedication and determination and their exemplary behaviour both on and off the field.
Mayor Frank Prendergast gives Civic Reception to Na Piarsaigh 1984 All Ireland Féile winners at City Hall June 1984. Na Piarsaigh officials with team, At back: Willie Mulcahy, John Ryan, Fr. John Daly, Fr. Tom Carroll. Front: Frank Kavanagh Hon. Sec. Timmy O'Connor, Paul Condon Capt. with Cup. Mayor Prendergast, Bill Kiely and Dan Hickey Chairman.
Many of those that played in 1984 went on to be part of more successful underage and adult teams in the club.
Paul Beary was coach and selector for our Senior Hurling team when we won the county and Munster Club Championships in 2011 and 2013. He would also manage the side to our 2018 County Championship title.
Damian Quigley won an All Star for his performances with Limerick in the Munster and All Ireland series of 1994. Squidy also played a central role for the club as we rose through the ranks in the Limerick championships. He was still part of the Na Piarsaigh squad in 2011 and 2013 when we won Munster and County honours.
Conor Shiels managed our U21 hurlers to 6 County Championships in a row from 2012 to 2017. Many of those players would go on to star for the Limerick Senior Hurlers as well as being the backbone to our own senior club success.
Risteard O’Flaherty has been acting chairman of Na Piarsaigh for a number of years now and has overseen incredible growth in our facilities to date. This includes the complete upgrade of our clubhouse and the addition of 2 more pitches.
Paul Condon was selector with our senior hurlers for our county championship successes of 2020 and 2022. His son Evan featured in goals for our 2022 campaign.
Eamon O’Connell mentored a number of underage teams before moving to Lattin, Co. Tipperary. He got involved in training race horses, scoring success with the horse Power Station on a number of occasions. His father Tom served as club chairman in the noughties.
