1970s: part two

The 1972-73 was a better season. Limerick finished ninth place in the League of Ireland with five teams beneath them

In the 1973-74 season Kevin Fitzpatrick was player-manager and Al Finucane had left to play with Waterford. On 10 February 1974 Limerick lost to Transport, a non-league club, 1-0 in the second round of the FAI Cup which led to Kevin Fitzpatrick resigning as player-manager. Limerick finished the season’s campaign ninth in the league with no improvement on the previous season. During the season another problem arose of hooliganism from skinhead supporters in the Markets Field.

In the 1975-76 season Ewan Fenton returned as team manager. A number of new, young players were introduced to the side and the supporters were asked to have patience but the season was again marred by hooliganism and the worst sports violence ever witnessed in Limerick sport. After Limerick won the Bass League Cup 4-0 against Sligo Rovers on 16 October 1975 at Markets Field, at least one hundred Sligo Rovers fans, mostly thugs, marauded through the terraces, the grey hound track and the fringes of the pitch. The trouble continued for some time without a garda or a steward in sight. Off duty detectives Michael Hynes and Michael Browne, who were spectators, and some of the directors tried to clear the track but they were assaulted. Some of the youngsters invaded the pitch and proceeded to knock down a photographer from the Cork Examiner, kicking and beating him as well as damaging his camera. Seven youths, four from Limerick and three from Sligo, were arrested and appeared in court. The season ended with Limerick finishing thirteenth in the league, one place above Shamrock Rovers who were at the bottom of the table.

In the 1976-77 season Frankie Johnson was team manager. Limerick were beaten 2-0 against Dundalk in the FAI Cup Final and finishing twelfth in the League of Ireland.

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