Éamonn Grimes

Éamonn Grimes (born 1947) is an Irish retired hurler who played as a midfielder for the Limerick senior team.^[1]

Grimes joined the team during the 1966 championship and was a regular member of the starting fifteen until his retirement after the 1981 championship. During that time he won one All-Ireland medal, four Munster medals, (two as a substitute) one National Hurling League medal and two All-Star awards. An All-Ireland runner-up on two occasions, Grimes captained the team to the All-Ireland title in 1973.

At club level Grimes was a four-time county club championship medalist with South Liberties.

Playing career

Colleges

During his secondary schooling at CBS Sexton Street, Grimes became a key member of the college senior hurling team.^[2]

In 1964 he won his first Harty Cup medal following a defeat of St. Flannan's College. The subsequent All-Ireland decider saw the Limerick side face St. Peter's College, Wexford. A high-scoring 6–7 to 4–5 victory gave grimes a coveted All-Ireland medal.^[3]

Grimes added a second Harty Cup medal to his collection the following year, before going down to St. Kieran's College in the All-Ireland decider on a score line of 6–9 to 6–1.

In his final year with the school Grimes won a third successive Harty Cup medal as captain of the side following a defeat of Thurles CBS. The subsequent All-Ireland decider against St. Mary's of Galway turned into an absolute rout. A huge 8–9 to 2–2 victory gave Grimes a second All-Ireland medal.

Club

Grimes played his club hurling, along with his brothers Lar, John, Mikey and Joe, with the famous South Liberties club in Limerick.^[4]

After playing in two losing county finals, Grimes was at midfield again when South Liberties faced Patrickswell in 1972. A 4–8 to 1–5 victory gave Grimes a coveted championship medal.

Four years later Grimes added a second championship medal to his collection following a narrow 2–9 to 2–6 defeat of Killeedy.

South Liberties surrendered their title the following year, however, they reached the final again in 1978. Grimes won a third championship medal following a 2–9 to 2–5 defeat of Bruree.^[5]

In 1981 South Liberties defeated Kilmallock by 4–7 to 2–11, giving Grimes a fourth championship medal.

Grimes retired from club hurling in 1986.

Minor and under-21

Grimes first came to prominence on the inter-county scene as a member of the Limerick minor hurling team in 1963. He was an unused substitute that year when Limerick defeated Tipperary by 4–12 to 5–4 to take the Munster crown. The subsequent All-Ireland decider saw Limerick face Wexford. Grimes was introduced as a substitute, however, Wexford won a high-scoring game by 6–12 to 5–9.

Two years later Grimes was in his final year in the grade and was a regular member of the starting fifteen. A 5–5 to 3–9 defeat of Tipperary gave him his first Munster medal on the field of play. Limerick were subsequently defeated by 4–10 to 2–7 by Dublin in the subsequent All-Ireland decider.

Grimes subsequently joined the Limerick under-21 hurling team, however, he enjoyed little success in this grade.

Senior

Grimes subsequently joined the Limerick senior team, making his debut the day before he was due to sit his Leaving Certificate in a Munster quarter-final defeat of Tipperary.

In 1971 Limerick hurling bounced back after over a decade in the doldrums. A narrow 3–12 to 3–11 defeat of old rivals Tipperary gave Grimes a coveted National Hurling League medal.

Two years later Grimes was appointed captain of the team as Limerick finally made the provincial breakthrough. A last-gasp free by Richie Bennis secured a narrow 6–7 to 2–18 defeat of Tipperary in the provincial decider and a first Munster medal for Grimes. It was Limerick's first provincial triumph since 1955. Grimes later lead his team of underdogs to Croke Park for an All-Ireland showdown with reigning champions and injury-ravaged Kilkenny. A downpour spoiled the game for spectators, however, a Mossie Dowling goal eight minutes after half-time, together with a tour de force by Richie Bennis powered Limerick to a 1–21 to 1–14 victory. Not only did the victory give Grimes a coveted All-Ireland medal but he also had the honour of collecting the Liam MacCarthy Cup on behalf of the team.^[6] Following the conclusion of the championship he was personally honoured by being presented with his first All-Star award, as well as being named Texaco Hurler of the Year.

In 1974 Limerick maintained their provincial dominance. Grimes captured a second Munster medal following a 6–14 to 3–9 trouncing of Clare. This victory allowed Grimes's side advance directly to the All-Ireland final where Kilkenny provided the opposition once again. The Cats were back to full strength and set out for revenge. In spite of this Limerick stormed into an early lead, however, this was diminished as Pat Delaney, Eddie Keher and Mick Brennan scored goals. Limerick lost the game by 3–19 to 1–13.

Limerick failed to win a third provincial championship, however, Grimes won a second All-Star award in 1975.

By 1980 Grimes had been dropped from the starting fifteen. He was a non-playing substitute as Limerick won the Munster final by 2–14 to 2–10 that year and denied Cork a record-breaking sixth successive title. The subsequent All-Ireland decider pitted Limerick against Galway, however, Grimes started the game outside of the starting fifteen once again. He was introduced to the field of play during the game, however, history was with the westerners that day. Éamonn Cregan scored 2–7 and nearly single-handedly won the game for Limerick, however, it was not enough to stem the tide and Galway went on to win the game by 2–15 to 3–9.

Limerick retained their provincial crown in 1981 following a 3–12 to 2–9 defeat of Clare, however, Grimes was still a non-playing substitute. His career drew to an end when eventual champions Offaly defeat Limerick in the subsequent All-Ireland semi-final.

Inter-provincial

Grimes also had the honour of being selected for Munster in the inter-provincial series of games. He made his debut with the province in 1972 and was a regular at various intervals until his retirement in 1978. During that time he won two Railway Cup medals as a non-playing substitute in 1976 and 1978.^[7]

Personal life

Grimes lives in Limerick, with his wife, Helen. They married in the 1970s and have two children.

After completing his education Grimes later worked as a sales representative for Beamish and Crawford. His name re-appeared in sports reports many years later when his friend and fellow member and benefactor of the South Liberties club, J.P. McManus, named his successful racehorse "Grimes" in his honour.

Honours

Team

Sexton Street CBS

• All-Ireland Senior Colleges' Hurling Championship (2): 1964, 1966 (c)
• Munster Senior Colleges' Hurling Championship (3): 1964, 1965, 1966 (c)

South Liberties

• Limerick Senior Club Hurling Championship (4): 1972, 1976, 1978, 1981

Limerick

• All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship (1): 1973 (c)
• Munster Senior Hurling Championship (4): 1973 (c), 1974, 1980 (sub), 1981 (sub)
• National Hurling League (1): 1970–71
• Munster Minor Hurling Championship (2): 1963 (sub), 1965

Munster

• Railway Cup (4): 1976 (sub), 1978 (sub)

Individual

Awards

• Texaco Hurler of the Year (1): 1973
• All-Star Awards (2): 1974, 1975

References