All-Ireland winner Eamonn ‘Ned’ Rea dies, aged 77

The death has taken place of Eamonn 'Ned' Rea, the Limerick All-Ireland winner from 1973. He was 77 and from the Effin club in the county but lived for most of his life in Dublin where he was actively involved with Faughs, including many years as club chair during which he was major influence on the move to their current home in Templeogue.

For years he was familiar to the many who dropped in from nearby Heuston Station or elsewhere as the proprietor of Rea’s pub on Parkgate Street, which was a well-known venue for hurling enthusiasts.

He was also one of the prime movers in the establishment of Club Limerick Dublin, originally the Limerick Supporters Club in Dublin.

Forty-eight years ago he played at full forward on what was, until 2018, the most recent Limerick team to win an All-Ireland. The position was a serendipitous switch in that he had been a defender for many years, winning a Fitzgibbon Cup medal with UCC at corner back.

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After a disappointing league final defeat by Wexford in 1973, the Limerick selector Jackie Power suggested he try playing at full forward in a challenge match against Waterford and impressed sufficiently to make the position his own for the All-Ireland campaign and get nominated for an All Star later in 1973.

Along the way he hurled against his brother Gerry, who was playing at the time for London, in that year’s All-Ireland semi-final.

Having moved to Dublin in 1968, he also won three county titles with Faughs but never lost touch with Effin and was in attendance last month when the club won the Limerick intermediate title.

He became unwell the weekend before last and passed away on Monday.