Limerick City. The land of Richard Harris, the Rubberbandits, Paul O'Connell...and Michael Essien?
There are certain combinations you just don't expect to see in sport - nay, in life. We're thinking Dani Carvajal and the Kerry club championship. Mayo GAA and the Tour de France. Michael Essien and Limerick FC.
The Indo carry a story today in which Limerick FC chairman Pat O'Sullivan is denying that Michael Essien - formerly of Chelsea, Real Madrid and Lyon - has been in talks with the club over taking an ownership stake in it. The 'Limerick Life' newspaper was reporting that Essien and Limerick had been in negotiations.
The rumour has some added credence because of the fact that Essien visited Limerick in July to watch the home side beat Shelbourne 2-0.
Thanks a lot to #Pat O'Sullivan and every1 at @LimerickFCie.i had a great time.Good luck 4 the rest of the season⚽️🏆 pic.twitter.com/CetTqWhjg7
— Michael Essien® (@MichaelEssien) July 30, 2016
O'Sullivan told the Indo:
Michael Essien visited for a game while he was here on a private visit. He was in Limerick and I believe he asked to come to a game and, just like anyone else, he was facilitated.
Essien was a midfield powerhouse for Lyon and then Chelsea before he re-invented himself as a right-back at Real Madrid under Jose Mourinho. A potential partnership with Limerick would doubtless excite fans of the League of Ireland club - perhaps sparking visions of Essien casually togging out and banging in one of these beauties:
