Limerick is renowned for its sports fanatics and Des Horgan, secretary manager of Kennedy O'Brien's Golf Society, now known as The Exiles, loves his sport.

Des, who comes from Askeaton, played Gaelic Football in his younger days and went on to become a prominent referee in Gaelic Football, rugby and soccer.

He then moved into Limerick City and played inter-pub soccer with a deal of success. He also took up golf, became a member of Lahinch Golf Club, and is currently playing off a 17 handicap.

He is also a great supporter of Garryowen and Munster rugby and recently went to Clermont to support the men in red.

Des didn't take the conventional route by plane to the French City. Joined by two golfing friends of The Exiles, John McCormick and John Ryan the three lads set out for France in a van.

They took the ferry to Fishguard and drove from Wales into England and then through the Channel Tunnel into France and down to Clermont, which is situated in the dead centre of the country. The hardy lads also made the return journey by van.

Des is used to travelling and never misses the annual away Exiles trip to Spain.

"Sean O'Brien and Jim Mulcaire organize the official Exiles tour in early April and they play the top Spanish courses", said Des, "but Dermot McCormick, myself and six other exiles go on a rebel tour every September, where we play the cheaper courses."

The Exiles Society's top officials are well known golfers.

Paudie Hehir, the Captain, is a former captain of Limerick County Golf Club, while the Handicap secretary Sean O'Brien is a former captain of Adare Manor Hotel Golf Club.

Kerry man Pat Callanan is a member of Dooks Golf Club but makes the trip up to Limerick for every outing and never misses. Declan Gilleece is the treasurer.

The Exiles play 10 outings every year with the highlight the annual 'Ryder Cup' game against Myles Breen's Golf Society.

Pat Barriscale is the chief organizer on the Myles Breen committee and they even have special golf shirts made to commemorate the event every year.

Another well-known sportsman, Eugene Phelan of the Limerick Leader, is a staunch member of the society. Eugene was also a handy inter-pub soccer player, and indeed was on the winning side one year when he was a guest for The Desmond public house.

Rumor has it that Eugene got free coffee for a year from Captain Peacock at The Desmond in part 'payment' for his efforts in scoring the winning goal in the final.

Other well-known personalities in The Exiles society include Ted McCarthy, Ger O'Neill, Bill Hutch, John Hartigan, Mike O'Brien and Albert McSweeney.

The society will have their first outing of the new season on February 23 and the secretary will inform the members on the venue, which is a closely guarded secret at present.

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