to a Garryowen great
(29 Dec 2009)
Saturday December 19 2009 – Tony Ward
Irish Independent
On Monday last in Dunmore East, one of the greats of Garryowen, Munster and Irish rugby was laid to rest. John Moroney was my predecessor in the No 10 shirt at Dooradoyle. His were difficult boots to fill.
Johnny was the man, who, along with great friend and half-back partner Liam Hall, made arguably the greatest ever light-blue side tick.
He was at the heart of Garryowen's Munster Senior cup winning sides of 1969, 1971 and 1974. He would have been there too in '75 only for a career-shattering leg injury suffered when playing against great rivals Cork Con in that season's league final in Thomond Park. The former Rockwell College schoolboy packed a mighty boot, whether out of hand or off the ground.
He was a key member of the Rockwell Schools Cup winning side in 1964, when he lined out alongside great Garryowen stalwart Frank Hogan. Upon moving to London to study PE at Strawberry Hill, he linked up with London Irish before returning to Munster and rejoining Garryowen when acquiring a teaching/lecturing position in Waterford.
He lined out for Munster many times and was out-half alongside Hall (then at UCC) when helping the province to the first win over a major touring side, beating Australia 11-8 at Musgrave Park in 1967. He played for Ireland six times on the wing in 1968 and '69, scoring a then individual points record 14 points in the 17-9 victory over France.
He took immense pride and pleasure in the playing career of son Julian first at King's Hospital and then with UCD. He will be missed by everybody associated with Limerick rugby, but most of all by wife, daughter Annabelle and son Julian.
Ar dheis De go raibh a ainm dilis.