One of the most intriguing storylines of the 2025 intercounty hurling season will involve Limerick and their efforts to replace Nickie Quaid, who fell foul to the dreaded cruciate injury this winter.
Quaid has been such an totemic presence for Limerick of the last decade that it's difficult to imagine anyone else wearing that #1 shirt. John Kiely shocked the hurling world by recalling former outfielder Shane Dowling to his panel for 2025. Dowling has reinvented himself as a goalkeeper with his club Na Piarsaigh in the last few years.
Meanwhile, Aaron Gillane's brother Jason has deputised for Quaid for a number of years. He also won a Fitzgibbon Cup under Jamie Wall and Podge Collins earlier this year.
24 January 2024; Mary Immaculate College Limerick goalkeeper Jason Gillane during the Electric Ireland Higher Education GAA Fitzgibbon Cup Round 2 match between Mary Immaculate College Limerick and UCC at MICL Grounds in Limerick. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile
Speaking at the draw for the Electric Ireland GAA Higher Education Championships at Croke Park today, Collins gave his two cents on who he expects to replace Quaid in 2025
“The only thing I would say about Jason is that he’s a great fella and a great goalie,” Collins said.
"I know he puts a lot of time and effort into it. He’s just going to be competing with the other goalies that are in for this year. I know Shane Dowling is in. He’s the only one I know of who’s in. It’s going to be competitive, I’ve seen Shane play with Na Piarsaigh for the last two years, I’ve watched a few of the games.
He’s an excellent striker of the ball, he’s a very good presence, he’s very comfortable under a high ball. I’d say Jason has similar attributes. It’ll be an interesting couple of months from a spectator’s point of view, as someone not involved. We’ve got to see how it plays out, it’s a novel kind of situation that we don’t often see.
Nickie Quaid was just revolutionary in goals with his consistency, he just produced day after day after day. It’s not surprising, given the time he puts into it and everything like that. He’s going to be a hard goalie to replace. It’s an interesting one. As a Clare man, Jason is no longer a player with Mary I so…just once Clare win, I don’t mind!”
It’s save that all Banner and even the whole country eyes will firmly be on the man between the nets during the league and championship.
