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International Rules clash with Aussies a big boost for Limerick GAA, says president
OCTOBER'S International Rules Series will be a timely boost for Limerick GAA, according to GAA president, Christy Cooney.
This Monday, the official launch of the International Rules Series took place at King Johns Castle.
On Saturday October 23 Limerick's Gaelic Grounds will host the first test between Ireland and Australia, with Croke Park staging the decisive test one week later.
"Its a phenomenal event for Limerick and I believe that it will be an outstanding success - Limerick has a great sporting public and we will have people from all over Munster and all over the country and from Britain - it has always been a spectacular success and attendances have always been great. It is going to be a great boost for Gaelic Games in Limerick city and county," said GAA President Christy Cooney at the launch.
Limerick was to host the international contest between the cream of GAA talent and their AFL counterparts last Autumn, but it was postponed.
"We made this decision 12 months ago and when the International Rules was cancelled I gave Liam Lenihan a commitment that we would honour what we said.
"The reason is was postponed was because of the financial difficulties faced by the Australians and for no other reason. I think it will be good for the association - I think it will be a great occasion and our footballers take great pride in playing for their country in international rules," said Cooney.
"There is no question but that this will be the largest sporting event in Limerick this year with 50,000 people at the match.
"This is a big weekend for the association in Limerick and we will be doing significant promotion in the week leading up to it and I hope to spend a couple of days here in Limerick visiting schools and promoting our games. Limerick has a very proud tradition in hurling and football. They have had a challenging year with hurling, but they will rise above that and come back positively, while Limerick football has made phenomenal progress," said the Cork native.
"I was fortunate to live in Limerick for five years so I am well aware of the love of sport and the love of Gaelic Games - I am well aware of the desire that exists to come back and win a Munster title in hurling and football."
He added: "I am well aware of the work that is going on at grass roots level, particularly at Bord na nOg level. It has been tremendous work with a new plan of action in place driving the county forward and ive no doubt but that it will go from strength to strength in the years to come".
"I would encourage the business people of Limerick to come in fully behind this - its going to be a very rewarding weekend for the businesses of Limerick with 50,000 people here and a lot staying over the weekend and it will enhance the reputation that Limerick has already as a great sporting city and a great GAA city and county."
International Rules manager Derry's Anthony Tohill is Ireland's International Rules manager for the 2010 and 2011 seasons.
The Irish management team also includes Eoin 'Bomber' Liston (Kerry), Kevin O'Brien (Wicklow) and Sean Og de Paor (Galway), all of whom represented Ireland against Australia in the past.
Eoin Liston attended this Monday's official launch of the series, which is been sponsored by the Irish Daily Mail and will be broadcast live on TG4.
"I am absolutely delighted to be involved as part of the management team for the International Rules Series and I am delighted that it is coming to Limerick," said Liston.
"I have a lot of connections with Limerick," he said.
"My father played for Limerick and most of Limerick educated me through the bar that we had in Ballybunion!," he joked.
"I really hope that it is a fantastic success and I hope that the supporters, not only of Limerick but throughout Munster, come out in their thousands to support us and make it a memorable occasion."
While all in Limerick will be hoping that John Galvin or some of his Limerick senior football colleagues could make it into the Irish panel, Liston was remaining tight-lipped.
"At the moment we are scouting the country and i an guarantee you there won't be a stone left unturned by the management team in trying to put out a very competitive team."
As for any Limerick involvement?
"I am not at liberty to say," was the only reply from Liston.
"You are always hoping that you will unearth another gem - Leighton Glynn was outstanding and another one would be Noel Roche if you look back the years," he said of the tradition of players from 'smaller counties' representing Ireland in the International Rules Series.
Limerick's staging of the October Test is being supported by Shannon Development.
Eoghan Prendergast, Limerick Development Division Manager with Shannon Development, spoke at Monday's launch.
"Sport is a vitally important part of our culture and heritage and also the economy of Limerick," he told the gathering.
"We regard this as one of the major events of the year and also of next year, which is a very important year for Limerick being designated as European City of Sport - that is a fantastic endorsement by an international body of our long standing love and knowledge of sport and our ability to move between different sports," said Mr Prendergast.
"The weekend that the match is taking place we hope to welcome over 40,000 to the city and it co-incides with the official opening of the Greyhound Stadium - which is a €20million project."
GAA officials, sponsors and all who attended the launch were welcomed by Mayor of Limerick City, Maria Byrne.
"It is indeed great news that Limerick has been selected to host the first match in the International Rules series - the city has a long tradition of sport and the promotion of all sorts of sport, which has led to the city been announced as the European City of Sport in 2001," she said.
The Mayor added: "we have had the pleasure of welcoming many teams from many countries over the years".
"It is thanks to the foresight of Limerick County Board that we have a stadium capable of staging this fixture. Limerick is a city with an unrivalled passion for all things sport and the Ireland-Australia game will once again showcase Limerick's ability to host major sporting events to a national and international audience. We look forward to welcoming both sets of teams and officials from the GAA and the AFL and fans from all over Ireland and beyond to Limerick in October for what promises to be an unforgettable occasion."
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Thursday 09 February 2012
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