THE CLOUDS parted briefly in Limerick yesterday to allow the sunshine through, as the “Sky Blues”, English Premier League soccer champions Manchester City, visited to play the local side and meet their loyal Irish fans.
Stars from the most expensive team in the Premier League landed at Shannon Airport shortly after midday, and travelled to their base at the Clarion Hotel in Limerick – before returning to Manchester late last night.
The team, who took over six floors of the hotel, were met by a hoard of screaming girls, star-struck boys, and parents with babies clad in the club’s latest strip.
Gardaí provided increased security and barricades were erected around the hotel.
Although controversial striker Mario Balotelli did not show, the English champions’ teamsheet included household names such as Joe Hart, Samir Nasri, Joleon Lescott and Roque Santa Cruz, who signed autographs and posed for photographs.
City fan and mother of five Dolores Gleeson from Hyde Road in Limerick city, was one of those die-hard ABU (Anybody But United) fans who waited patiently all morning for an autograph.
“This is fantastic to have the team in Limerick. I lived in Manchester for 41 years. All my kids are Manchester City season-ticket holders. They are all true blues! The word ‘United’ makes me vomit,” she joked.
“Life-long fan” and father of four Ger Roche from Prospect, Limerick city, said: “Three of the children are City fans too, but one is a Liverpool supporter – as long as he isn’t a Manchester United fan it’s okay with us. I can’t stand them,” he said with a smirk.
His youngest daughter Samantha (10) added: “Joe Hart is my favourite thing about Manchester City.”
Fans also thronged the city centre to soak up the pre-match atmosphere at a gathering of City supporter clubs from around the country in Halpins Bar.
Once inside Thomond Park, lucky fans were granted the opportunity to pose for photographs with the FA Premier League trophy, which had two security guards by its side at all times on its visit to the Treaty City.
Players met supporters in the president’s suite at Thomond Park to take photographs with the trophy that had eluded the team for more than 40 years. The world’s media also descended on the city to report the match live to millions across the globe.
The visitors turned on the style in Limerick, a week before they play Chelsea in the Community Shield final, winning 4-0 with a star performance by Denis Suarez.
Limerick FC chairman Pat O’Sullivan said the event would inject €6 million into the local economy.
He confirmed: “It is our intention to bring high-profile friendly matches like Manchester City to Thomond Park for the next 10 years.”
A source also revealed that plans were afoot to set up a four-team league of star teams to play every summer in Limerick.
Limerick mayor and ex-Irish rugby giant Gerry McLoughlin said: “This is another momentous occasion for Limerick and reinforces our reputation as Ireland’s leading sporting destination.”
Before kick-off a number of special needs athletes and members of the 1991 Limerick FC team that played Manchester City in Limerick were honoured on the pitch.