John Galvin discusses the rise of Limerick football ahead of Tailteann Cup final

Michael Bolton

While it may have been a year without silverware for the hurlers, Limerick's football team will be making their third trip to Croke Park in the Tailteann Cup final.

When John Galvin played for the Treaty County, he couldn't have foreseen this happening.

Having topped their group ahead of Westmeath, Limerick produced a second-half comeback to reach their first Tailteann Cup final.

For Galvin, who reached the Munster final with Limerick during his playing days, he could not imagine the success the Limerick footballers have had this year.

"It is definitely special for Limerick football to be in this position.

"To be going for silverware twice in one year is something mad altogether, to be playing in Croke Park for the third time this year in front of a TV crowd is another big thing.

"They had a great league run, it just didn't happen all of a sudden."

A county that has produced one of the best hurling teams of all time, the footballers have not got the support they perhaps may not have liked.

Now the team with the chance of winning silverware, it could be a day for the history books for Limerick, who know they will go in as underdogs against Kildare.

For Galvin, Saturday could have a huge impact on the next generation.

"The way of getting people interested in playing for Limerick is playing in Croke Park, by winning games and by encouraging people to see it is a big thing to play for Limerick.

"It does benefit the footballers right now to say the hurlers have been knocked out. At least all eyes are focused on the footballers this weekend compared to if the footballers were still in it."

In the fourth year of the competition, the Tailteann Cup has seen the likes of Meath and Down bring their game to another level after winning the competition.

Had the competition not existed, Limerick's season would likely have ended a long time ago, but now have the chance to compete in the All-Ireland next season should they win on Saturday.

Galvin admitted he was not in favour of the competition when it was first introduced, but can now see its benefits.

"I have got to be honest, when there was talks of it, I would have been against it.

"If I was a player, I would want to take on the likes of Kerry and Cork, but the gap has got too wide. Back in my day, the weaker teams on a given day could compete with the bigger teams, but the gap has got way too wide now.

"The Limerick players have really bought into it and are really motivated to play in the Tailteann Cup."