Moyross, North Limerick is plenty famous. In the early 1990s a girl by the name of Dolores O'Riordan replied to an advert placed by Moyross based brothers Noel and Mike Hogan. They were seeking a lead singer for their band The Cranberry Saw Us. Not only did her voice blow them away but with her she had a rough copy of a track she'd written called 'linger'. Over a decade later, via multi-platinum album sales worldwide, the Cranberries (as they would become) had become one of the most successful bands of the '90's. Their phenomenal success angled a celebratory spotlight on Limerick. Unfortunately the nature of the spotlight pointed at the city has not always been so endearing. "Stab City" as it was christened in the 1980s has been plagued by tit-for-tat gang violence and anti-social behaviour. The Cranberries home estate of Moyross has sadly been at the heart of the troubles, with grim arson attacks and drive by shootings in the past. Just last month 18 year old Darren Bennet died of stab wounds after an altercation at a party on the estate where he had been celebrating Saint Patrick's Day. Dolores O'Riordan once said that "[the] key is to realize that there’s always hope.” There isn't always a liberal splashing of that particular commodity in a place like Moyross.
What may give rise to some though is the regeneration scheme launched by President Mary McAleese last year. It includes plans for a complete rebuild of the Moyross estate; including 2,000 new homes, a library and new public facilities for sports. Similarly perhaps, the exploits of another one of their own on the world stage may inspire. In a field that defines Limerick, rugby. Keith Earls selection for 2009 British and Irish Lions tour of South Africa was announced Wednesday. It is a richly deserved accolade for the diminutive Moyross speedster. He burst onto the seen with a try in the Munster Senior Schools Cup final win for St Munchins College; a Gold Cup winning stable for future Irish Rugby thoroughbreds. Like fellow alumni Keith Wood, Marcus Horan, Anthoney Foley and Jerry Flannery he went on to represent Munster and Ireland; making his Munster debut the year after leaving school, at the Liberty Stadium in April 2007. He has since become a regular in the side wrestling the 13 jersey from Rua Tupoki and making it his own with consistently scintillating performances, none more so than his two try salvo against the Ospreys in the Heineken quarter final ten days ago.
If his blistering pace is his most obvious asset then his lightning quick feet are his most dangerous with a fluidity off both that simply cannot be coached. That is perhaps what makes this talent so special. In the run up to his selection in this squad pundits both side of the water have labelled him a 'stepper' and suggested his selection would suit 'the firm tracks'. This is of course true but is nowhere close to the full picture. Earls was once described to me by a fellow AIB player as "the most natural rugby player" he'd seen, and that "if he [Earls] didn't make it [play higher than AIB]" then something in rugby had gone seriously wrong. When running in traffic between the tackles it's as though everyone else is in slow motion; from deep, defensive waves seem to part for him. But most importantly he doesn't just see the opportunity he backs his ability to execute it. From the school fields of south west Ireland to Thomond Park this aspect of his game has never changed; he will see, believe and exploit. That is what makes Keith Earls a special rugby talent.
If his blistering pace is his most obvious asset then his lightning quick feet are his most dangerous with a fluidity off both that simply cannot be coached. That is perhaps what makes this talent so special. In the run up to his selection in this squad pundits both side of the water have labelled him a 'stepper' and suggested his selection would suit 'the firm tracks'. This is of course true but is nowhere close to the full picture. Earls was once described to me by a fellow AIB player as "the most natural rugby player" he'd seen, and that "if he [Earls] didn't make it [play higher than AIB]" then something in rugby had gone seriously wrong. When running in traffic between the tackles it's as though everyone else is in slow motion; from deep, defensive waves seem to part for him. But most importantly he doesn't just see the opportunity he backs his ability to execute it. From the school fields of south west Ireland to Thomond Park this aspect of his game has never changed; he will see, believe and exploit. That is what makes Keith Earls a special rugby talent.
It seems more than ironic that on the day of his Ireland debut (on which he scored against Canada at Thomond Park) Shane Geoghegan, a member of Limerick's famous Garryowen rugby club, became the latest victim of the city's gangland feud. Earls' achievements and talents can be immediately contrasted to the struggles of his roots. Like The Cranberries he is a reminder that sport and music, as much as physical regeneration, can engineer social mobility. An escape. Hope. The biggest thing to come out of Moyross since The Cranberries has the opportunity to put Moyross back in the world spotlight for the right reasons.
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