Mungret St. Paul’s Celebrates Historic Win, Prepares for Dingle Clash

Mungret St. Paul’s has made headlines in Limerick after claiming their first senior football title in over two decades. The team secured a commanding victory against Newcastle West, finishing the county senior football final with a score of 0-12 to 1-5 on November 9, 2023. This triumph marks a significant achievement for Mungret, who had not reached a final since 2001, making this win a historic milestone for the club.

The victory is particularly sweet for Mungret, a club founded in 1927, which has seen substantial growth and development over the years. Originally situated in rural Limerick, the club now finds itself on the outskirts of the expanding city. With the establishment of the University Hospital of Limerick in 1955, the area has undergone significant transformation. Despite decades of competing mainly in hurling, Mungret has steadily built a strong football presence, culminating in their recent success.

Mungret’s journey to this championship has been marked by resilience and strategic development. In 1976, a talented group of players helped the club capture the Premier minor football championship, solidifying its status as a dual club. Their ambitions did not stop there; in 1978, they acquired 26 acres of land from a local cement company, paving the way for future growth.

Challenges arose as property developers began to encroach on available land. Following the property crash, Mungret seized the opportunity to negotiate with NAMA and, after approximately 25 meetings with Limerick County Council, they acquired additional land at a fraction of its value. The estimated cost for their new facilities is around €2 million, which will be among the most impressive in the region.

To fund these ambitious plans, Mungret implemented a corporate sponsorship program that involved 55 local businesses, each committing €5,000 for five years. This initiative, along with further fundraising efforts, has generated approximately €550,000. Additionally, the club has benefitted from hosting the popular television show “Ireland’s Fittest Family,” contributing an annual income of €60,000.

While Mungret has focused on developing its facilities, their performance on the pitch has not been overlooked. In the last two years, they have secured two county junior championships, two U21 Premier titles, and an intermediate football title. Their hurling team is also set to compete in section 1 of senior hurling next year, while the ladies’ team celebrated victory in the All-Ireland ladies junior championship last year.

Looking ahead, Mungret St. Paul’s faces another challenge as they prepare to meet Dingle, the Kerry representatives, in the Munster club semi-final on December 3, 2023. The match will take place at Austin Stack Park in Tralee, with the throw-in scheduled for 13:00. Captained by former Mayo player John Hutton, the team features standout players like Killian Ryan and Darragh O’Sullivan, who was named man of the match in the county final.

The connection to Kerry runs deep in Mungret, with many players having ties to the region. Darragh O’Sullivan is a cousin of Siofra O’Shea, a prominent Kerry ladies footballer and recent All-Star winner. Frank O’Sullivan, Darragh’s father, has a storied history in Kerry football, having played alongside legends during his youth and later in Dublin with Erin’s Isle.

As Mungret prepares for their semi-final clash, Hutton acknowledges the strength of the Dingle squad, which boasts experienced players such as Paul Geaney and Tom O’Sullivan. Despite the challenge, he remains optimistic: “We will go down there anyway. We will turn up and see what the story is.”

With their eyes set on further success, Mungret St. Paul’s is not just celebrating their recent championship win but also looking forward to a promising future on both local and national stages.