GAA: For the Limerick players, it was business as usual at the Gaelic Grounds after a fourth successive National League win, but the local crowd were having none of it. After witnessing the county's first win over Kerry in a national competition since 1898, they rushed onto the field, interrupting Limerick's customary warm-down session.
"It was certainly the first time I have ever seen a side being congratulated for cooling down," said manager Liam Kearns yesterday.
Limerick's perfect record - they sit on top of Division 2A with an astonishing score total of 9-61 (with just 3-47 against) - has emerged as the feel-good story of a league that is beginning to shape up promisingly. However, Kearns feels obliged to put it in perspective.
"Breaking that little bit of history against Kerry was nice but I think that maybe the supporters got more of a buzz out of it than ourselves. It is important not to overstate the significance of this. Kerry are notorious for just cruising through leagues and yesterday they were introducing new players to the game. What I am especially pleased with is our scoring rate, an area where Limerick traditionally suffered.
"We always competed fairly well in terms of possession and the difference is that this year we are making it count."
Kearns has been the key figure in Limerick's football revival, identifying the need to start at under-21 level.
"I think the best thing that happened here was that the county board implemented a five-year plan for both hurling and football and I think we are beginning to see the benefits of that now. It was important we start at under-21 level and thankfully our win in that championship has given us the basis of a senior team."
But Kearns is keen to emphasise that it is merely a basis. Gently, he offers a cautious note to what Limerick's new-found competitive streak means. While the newspapers recorded a 4,500 crowd at the Gaelic Ground, he is inclined to go with a more conservative estimate and points out that Kerry are always a good draw.
Also, he outlines the fact Limerick's league ambition was to win their first three games and then to see what happens, to improve their league standing. Promotion was not identified as a specific aim, nor is it now.
"We have a tough game in Armagh on Sunday, one of the top four or five sides in Ireland. It's still a matter of taking each game as it comes. We will consider our chances for promotion at a later stage."
In other words, he is not out for a quick revolution. Limerick face Kerry in the championship on May 12th and it is the magnitude of that task that informs Kearns' steadfast realism.
"What is happening is hopefully the beginning of a very gradual process. Limerick had fallen behind most of the bigger counties and we are beginning to make up the ground. But it requires patience enough to allow the younger players to come through. We are going in the right direction but it may take 10 years before the rewards are fully reaped."
But even if it is only a temporary joy, the sight of ecstatic home supporters after an early March league game is better than the alternative.
"Absolutely," says Kearns. "Make no mistake, we are very pleased with the win, it's just important to enjoy it for what it is. I suppose it is a milestone to beat Kerry for the first time in over a century. It is certainly preferable to the days when Limerick just propped up the table and were regarded by the other teams as a guaranteed win. That era has thankfully passed. But we have to continue to try to reach our own goals.
"So you know, it will be back at training as usual this evening and it will be a particularly tough session. We have to keep our feet on the ground here."
