This week features the U16 team of 1990. They were a continuation of the victorious Féile All-Ireland winners of 1988.  After being so close on four occasions, Lismore GAA Club fulfilled one of their greatest ambitions at St. Brendan's Park, Birr on 26th June 1988.  That morning they marched proudly in the parade and later went into action against Ferbane, a formidable team in their own right, fighting for the same honour.  Lismore ran out deserved victors and reports from that day suggested that "when the final whistle blew everybody connected with the Lismore and Ballysaggart clubs went wild with delight".  The Canon Fogarty Trophy was presented to Lismore's captain Paddy O' Donnell by GAA President John Dowling.  In 1990, they took the Western title for the eighth successive year when they beat Dungarvan 1-04 to 1-03.  The county title was an easier affair when they accounted for St. Saviours 1-11 to 0-03.  Next week we look at the Minor team of 1990.
The U16 panel of 1990 was: Brendan Ormonde, John Roche, Philip Hickey, Peter Barry, Aidan Ormonde, Mark Clancy, James O' Connor, Paddy O' Donnell (Capt), Robert O' Sullivan, Emmet Quann, Michael Veale, Oliver O' Dowd, Seamus Clancy, David Nugent, Michael Daly, Dan Shanahan, Shane Fennessy, Seamus Kearney, Michael Kearney, Brian Quinn, Bobby Nugent, Maurice O' Connor, Eugene O' Brien, David Bennett.

​This week we look at the success of the U14 team of 1990.  Captained by Ballysaggart native Seamus Clancy, the club won the Western title for the seventh successive season when they defeated Abbeyside by 4-06 to 2-04. They then beat St. Saviours in the county final by 3-06 to 1-01.  The U14 grade was nearly owned by Lismore all those years ago and was a reflection of the nursery that was The Christian Brothers School under the stewardship of Br. J.L. Dormer.  It was self-evident that the revival of underage hurling in the area coincided with the arrival of Br. Dormer to Lismore in 1980. Success was to continue as Lismore also won the Féile na nGael competition comprehensively beating St. Saviours a second time by 6-03 to 1-01.  Next week we look at the U16 team of 1990.
The U14 panel of 1990 was: Brendan Landers, Billy Buckley, Maurice O' Connor, Anthony Whelan, John Landers, Shane Fennessy, Dan Shanahan, Seamus Clancy (Capt), Tomas Landers, Michael Shanahan, Eugene O' Brien, David Bennett, Eoin Bennett, Bobby Nugent, William Cunningham, Brian O Farrell, Thomas Veale, Sean Veale, John O' Gorman, John Begley, Stephen Quinn, Gerald O' Gorman. 

​As 2020 came to a close, it marked the 30th anniversary when Lismore GAA club were crowned "Club of the Year". It was a golden period culminating in winning all underage hurling titles and also the fact that our U14 team represented the county at Féile na nGael for a record seventh year in a row.  It was a testament to the work that was being done at underage level specifically at the Christian Brothers School in Lismore.  One also remembers those enjoyable days after all that hurling during the day to go back up to the school yard for yet more hurling with "Dick's Leagues". Dick Ahearne, who was the school caretaker at the time,  co-ordinated a series of games (involving forty youngsters) which were run off in clockwork fashion every year. In 1990 Team "C" were crowned U10 champions and was captained by none other than our own current chairman Colin Kearney.  In this week's picture we take a look at the U12 team who were crowned Western Champions in 1990 after beating Abbeyside in the final on a scoreline Lismore 7-05 Abbeyside 0-04. A reception at the Lismore Hotel followed on 25th January 1991 where Cork dual legend Teddy McCarthy presented the players with their medals.  Next week we look at the U14 team of 1990.
U12 Panel 1990: Wiliam Cunningham (Capt), Billy Walsh, Gary Keane, Michael Caples, Milo Kelleher, Brian Kearney, Kenny Kearney, David O' Gorman, Michael O' Gorman, David Fleming, James McNamara, Kevin Landers, Alan O' Gorman, Brendan Landers, Eoin Bennett, David Howard, David Whelan, Micahel Ormonde, Thomas Barry, Pagraig Walsh, Pagraig O' Gorman, Padraig O' Reilly, Wayne Oakham, Thomas Veale, Pat McNamara, Fergus Hickey, David Hickey.

​Limerick proved they will be a force to be reckoned with for the next couple of years as they displayed a tactical masterpiece in taking apart the Waterford game plan bit by bit.  It was unfortunate and The Déise had certainly played their final against Kilkenny two weeks ago.  They simply had no answer to what Limerick brought to Croke Park.  Let it not be said that Waterford didn't give everything. From Stephen O' Keeffe's heroics in the first half to a young Iarlaith Daly stepping in early on to replace the injured Tadgh De Burca, Stephen Bennett kept us in it and Jack Prendergast left everything on the pitch but it simply wasn't our day.  Entering this final the build up was promising and underdogs or not, Waterford were no strangers to All-Ireland finals. A lot of commentators had written us off and unless a seismic shock happened, Limerick were expected to coast to another title.  The third quarter was the most important and it was where Waterford had turned around deficits in previous matches in exciting fashion.  However, Limerick remained solid and  steadfast and saw out the remainder of the match with ease.  We congratulate them on their victory.  A sincere well done to all the Waterford players and mentors, to all the supporters around the county who wore the colours with pride and we hope that elusive All Ireland title is not too far away.  

The Waterford Senior Hurling team will face the might of Limerick in this years All Ireland hurling final in Croke Park this coming Sunday. It will be a novel paring as it is the first time in history that the teams meet in the decider. Limerick, who won the title in 2018 will be favourites, as they enter this game a more settled team, know each other's role and play very much to their strengths. It will be a repeat of the Munster Final and at times Limerick looked worried in that encounter.  Waterford on the other hand are gaining in confidence with each game and totally dominated Kilkenny in the second half of their match  two weeks ago.  No crowds so less pressure, we hope?  Lismore GAA Club would like to wish the very best to our own Jack and Iarlaith, to Ballysaggart players Kieran and Stephen and indeed to all the players and mentors. Waterford certainly deserve something this year and it has been a long time coming. To bring the Liam McCarthy cup back after such a long absence would indeed put smiles on a lot of faces on what was such a difficult year for most.
 

​Tickets for the National Draw are now available for purchase from club officials.  It is an opportunity to raise vital funds for your own club.  The grand prize will be a Renault Clio V Dynamique car with a further 14 additional prizes. There will also be a local draw for all tickets sold within the club. Tickets are €10 each.

​Luxury Christmas Wreaths in aid of St. Vincent de Paul will be on sale at the Community Centre, Lismore, Sunday 6th December from 12 noon. The wreaths which sold out last year are handmade by the O' Sullivan family, Lismore and cost €20 each. All proceeds will go to the SVP charity who do tremendous work for all those in need especially at this time of year. Please support this good cause.

 In a year where 2020 just keeps taking away, the Waterford hurlers gave us something to shout about last Saturday when they paved a way back into the All Ireland Final in two weeks time. An onslaught of pace, energy and attacking play finally undid Kilkenny to which they simply had no answer. The Leinster champions were favourites going into this clash and the statistics were certainly not in Waterford's favour. After all, who was going to beat Kilkenny, a team that hadn't lost an All Ireland semi-final in fifteen years. Our relationship with Kilkenny has been one-sided and that alone was going to be a huge hurdle to overcome even before the throw-in.  It was all Kilkenny in the first half, they exuded their usual composure and Waterford were nervy in front of goal.  There were some bad misses and our wide tally was escalating. TJ Reid was slotting over frees and an ominous feeling began to descend. Waterford, to their credit kept tacking on points with Stephen Bennett taking charge of proceedings. A seven point deficit wasn't a mountain to overcome at half-time but something had to happen and fast. Our big players needed to step up and that is exactly what they did. After a sublime solo run by Bennett and a drop shot to Eoin Murphy's goal, the psychological barrier was broken and the shackles were thrown off. Up steps Austin Gleeson with an outrageous over-the-shoulder point and the Déise could sense that the tide was turning.  The attacking  and open play sapped the Kilkenny energy levels and Waterford were now essentially playing the Kilkenny game, closing down every option open to them with absolute ferocity. Lismore's Jack Prendergast ran himself into the ground and Iarlaith Daly was introduced to score a valuable  point.  It will be a victory that will live long in the memory of Waterford hurling fans and is such a shame that it can't be witnessed in the flesh.  However, who would have thought that we would be back in an All-Ireland final in Liam Cahill's first tenure as Waterford manager.  Next up, Limerick, a repeat of the Munster Final. The Treaty were convincing in the end against Galway but could this be year that we return to the promised land?