Limerick GC are Bulmers Munster Pierce Purcell Shield Champions 2008.

John O’Reilly and Declan Barriscale gave the home team an important lead point over Killarney GC and that advantage was doubled courtesy of 1973 All-Ireland winning Limerick captain Eamon Grimes and Eamon Kirby, who were emphatic 7& 6 victors in horrendous weather conditions.

Victory was sealed courtesy of the Gleeson brothers, John and Gerard, who ended their match at the 16th.

In the morning semi-finals, Blarney GC were eliminated by Limerick, thanks to fine wins by O’Reilly-Barriscale, John Malone-Michael Ryan and Joe Kemmy-Denis Ryan. In their semi-final, Killarney GC were pushed to the very line by battling Thurles GC, eventually coming through in the deciding match.

It was Limerick’s first win in the competition since 1990, and now the Ballyclough outfit will represent the province in the All-Ireland Finals at centenary celebrating Monkstown GG next September.

In the final of the Jimmy Bruen Shield, Monkstown were surprise but merited winners over seasoned-campaigners Nenagh GC.

Limerickman Sean McMahon, Chairman of the Munster Golfing Union of Ireland Branch, was on hand to make both presentations in the luxurious surrounds of the relatively new Limerick GC.

The owners of Adare Manor Hotel & Golf Resort, the Kane Family, are scheduled to meet with officials of the European Tour in the coming weeks to copper-fasten its staging of the Irish Open for a third year next May.

With no meeting having taken place as of yet, the future of the championship remains more than a little uncertain. It is contracted for the West Limerick venue until next year and that will probably come to pass although a meeting between the Kane’s, the European Tour and Fáilte Ireland is guaranteed before any decision is arrived at.

Reports suggest the championship will move north from 2010. “From our perspective, the TV exposure this year was tremendous as is demonstrated by the fact that a group from Spain flew in on a private plan to play the course after watching. But the Government has to buy into it a whole lot more as we need a broader level of support,” Tom Kane said.