A GAA superfan has credited his county’s success with helping him recover from four strokes, saying: “It’s better than any medicine.”
Pa Buckley lives and breathes Limerick hurling – and even sleeps in his green and white kit.
The 68-year-old, who has a house covered in Treaty County memorabilia, said the team’s incredible three-year run of success helped him bounce back from a series of medical blows in 2017.
Ahead of the All-Ireland Hurling Final against Waterford, Limerick’s most famous fan added: “I just can’t wait.
“It’s better than any medicine. People think of winning the lottery – I wouldn’t give two damns for the lottery, it’s a Limerick win on Sunday.
“If they win it and if God took me on Sunday night or Monday morning, I wouldn’t care.
“I already made my peace with Him three years ago. I’ve had asthma for a long time and I didn’t think I would come out after four strokes in 2017. But the last couple of years has just been better than any medication that the doctors or hospitals can give you.
“I haven’t felt as good in a long time.”
The popular supporter, who is a familiar sight at county matches, wears the Limerick colours
religiously every day.
Pa added: “I’m after getting three more new tops.
“I even have three tops and three bottoms for bed – if anyone saw me they would say I was mad.
“I have it on seven days a week, including my keyring.”
His house in the heart of the city is wreathed in wall-to-wall white and green and he had flags and bunting strewn across the ceiling in preparation for today’s match.
He said: “I had a lovely Limerick duvet set made and pillow slips but they were taken off the line.”
Inside Pa’s hurling-themed home in Ballinacurra is an extraordinary collection of memorabilia gathered from almost every county game.
It includes a rare glass hurley, a dog-eared programme from Limerick’s last All-Ireland win in 1973 and a pair of green and white striped boots.
He told how he has been going to Limerick matches religiously since their famous All-Ireland hurling win in 1973 as a 20-year-old.
Pa added: “I’ve been at them all since then – bar 1994 and 1996 when I was working in England – but everything else I’ve been at – minors, junior, senior, under 21s, camogie, football.
“I even signed myself out of hospital for the minor final.”
He has earned the nickname The Western Warrior as he paints his face Maori-style for all the matches,
Pa watched the Treaty County churn out their last victory in the lashing rain from the stands in Croke Park in 1973 and was in Croke Park in 2018.
He was at Limerick’s train station on the morning of the semi-final to wave off the players, who are on first name terms with their most famous supporter.
And he said the excitement has been rising in the city over the past week.
He added: “These lads are going to do it. Limerick Abu.”
