Markets Field
Many thanks to Orla Strumble and Dawn Quinn of the Irish Greyhound Board for their help in researching this site and for supplying photographs.
The Markets Field in Limerick has played a vital part in the history of sport in the city. It has been home to athletics, GAA, rugby, soccer, greyhound racing, Garda sports as well as carnivals, circuses and wrestling contests.
Sport was first played in the Markets Field in 1886 when the Irish Cycling Association and the Gaelic Athletic Association paid £8 a day to organise athletic events over the course of three consecutive Sundays. Well-known athletes participated and attracted large crowds.
In the following decade the Markets Field established itself as an important venue and, in 1896, the Limerick county senior hurling championship final was played there between Caherline and Ballingarry. In 1928 however, the GAA opened the Gaelic Grounds on the Ennis Road and had ceased to play any matches in the Markets Field by 1932.
Rugby enjoyed the longest relationship with the Markets Field which extended from 1886 until Garryowen sold out their rights and moved to Dooradoyle in 1957. International matches were played at the venue including Munster against the All Blacks in 1906 which was won convincingly by the visitors.
When rugby and Gaelic games had departed from the Markets Field greyhound racing and soccer made their homes there. The first greyhound race to be staged in Ireland was held in Celtic Park in Belfast in 1927. The sport arrived south of the border in Shelbourne Park, Dublin later that year. Three decades later Bord na gCon was established as a semi-state body in the Republic of Ireland. It made its home in Limerick where greyhound racing had first come to the Markets Field in 1932. The track staged the Irish Derby in 1939, the Irish Oaks in 1944 and the Irish St Ledger since 1944.
Many Limerick soccer fans also consider the Markets Field to be their spiritual home. Limerick AFC was founded in 1934 and (through several guises) made the Markets Field its home until 1984 when it left in move that was unpopular with supporters. The Markets Field is owned by Bord na gCon.
