All bets are off for independent bookmaker if Limerick win

Ex-Limerick hurler and manager TJ Ryan is praying for a Limerick win and getting one over the legendary bookie Paddy McAuliffe in Hospital but TJ knows more than most that Kilkenny are hard beaten! |

THERE’S an old saying that you never see a bookie on a bike but the legendary Paddy McAuliffe could be pedalling for the hills if Limerick do the business against Kilkenny.

For 45 years the bookmaker went 40 of them without paying out on a Limerick captain lifting Liam MacCarthy but, since 2018, happy punters have been collecting in his Hospital shop every year bar 2019.

“As a Limerick bookmaker you couldn't win since Limerick started winning All-Irelands. I’m struggling!” joked Paddy, who is one of the few independent bookies left.

But this year could be the octogenarian’s worst year yet.

Last March, former Limerick great and manager TJ Ryan of Garryspillane and Cork’s Mark Landers - two thirds of the Irish Examiner’s Dalo's Hurling Show - were doing a Cheltenham preview night in the Hunter’s Lodge for Fedamore and Ballybricken GAA clubs.

Paddy was there too and enhanced prices of horses running in Cheltenham to get some euros in his satchel. Talk turned to hurling and TJ asked him what price was a Limerick League, Munster and All-Ireland treble. It worked out at around 6/1 but Paddy enhanced it to 10/1 for 10 minutes.

TJ and a few other astute audience members put a couple of bob down. Paddy isn’t sure what his liabilities are from the night.

“I can't answer you because I don't know. And I don't want to know! It was a generous price. That bet with TJ is only a gallery - I’m hoping he will cash out,” laughed Paddy.

If Tipperary had beaten Waterford, as everybody expected, he would have had the last laugh but now he is resigned to paying out.

“I think Limerick will win but I’m putting a but in it - you won’t bate them fellas easy. If you go by the form book, and I am a form book man, you have to say Limerick will win but Kilkenny have improved since the Leinster final and if they get a grip on you…” warned Paddy, who won’t mind paying out TJ who he knows well as TJ’s mum Esther worked with Paddy for years.

Podcast listeners will know that the popular lady hasn’t been well of late but is undergoing treatment, attended the All-Ireland semi-final and is wished the very best in her recovery.

TJ said Paddy was very generous giving those odds as part of the fundraiser.

“Paddy is unreal. He’s a pure gentleman and has some brain,” said TJ, who has declined Paddy’s invitation to cash out!

“I’ll stick it out to the end. I’d be very confident these lads will perform, they always do and that will give them a great chance.

It is an All-Ireland final - they are hard to win but we are in a brilliant position. I would be very hopeful we will get another good performance - they have been finding a way all year and I am hoping for just one more,” said TJ.

And so is Paddy as Limerick winning is one bet he doesn’t mind paying out on.