Munster Championship Launch – Lismore Castle

PRESS RELEASE FOR MUNSTER GAA LAUNCH 2009
LISMORE CASTLE | THURSDAY | MAY 7TH

Leading GAA figures gathered today in the salubrious surroundings of Lismore Castle for the official launch of Munster GAA’s programme of events, activities and initiatives for the 2009 season.

In attendance were Munster GAA Chairman Jimmy O’Gorman, GAA President Criostóir Ó Cuana, representatives from GAA Hurling Championship sponsors Guinness, Etihad Airways and RTE Sport, representatives from GAA Football Championship sponsors Toyota, Ulster Bank and Vodafone, as well as inter-county players and managers along with county and provincial officials.

Munster GAA Hurling Championship
Speaking at the launch Jimmy O’Gorman said: “The 2008 Munster GAA Hurling Championship offered excellent entertainment and all five counties in this year’s competition will feel they can go on and claim the provincial crown in 2009. Tipperary are the reigning champions, Waterford and Limerick are the All Ireland finalists of the last two years, Cork are still regarded as one of the top teams in the country and Clare will be looking to build on their progress in reaching the Munster Final last year. It really should be a terrific Hurling summer down South”.

The draw for the Munster GAA Hurling Championship has produced some intriguing clashes. The opening game of the competition pits arch rivals Cork against reigning Munster Champions, Tipperary, on May 31 in Semple Stadium with the winner advancing to a meeting with Clare on June 21. The Limerick v Waterford clash on June 14 promises to be another gripping encounter between two recent All-Ireland finalists. The Munster GAA Senior Hurling Championship Final will take place on July 12.

Munster GAA Football Championship
Munster GAA Chairman Jimmy O’Gorman said that the Munster football Championship was potentially one of the most open and exciting in many years. “The success of Kerry, Cork and Tipperary in winning the Division 1, 2 and 3 titles respectively in recent weeks shows the overall strength of Munster football at the moment. Waterford also had some encouraging results in Division 4 this year and if Limerick can reproduce their form of 2008, they could be a match for anyone”.

Reigning Munster Football Champions Cork face Waterford in Fraher Field on June 24 while, on the same day in Semple Stadium, National League Champions Tipperary will be seeking revenge against Limerick in a repeat of last year’s opener with the winners advancing to face Clare in the semi-final two weeks later. Kerry await the winners of the Fraher Field clash on June 7, a fixture which will mark the official opening of the revamped Fitzgerald Stadium. The Munster GAA Senior Football Championship Final will take place on July 5.

Match Initiatives
Munster GAA announced that it is to extend the family ticket allocation for all games to include all sections of stadia. County flags have been commissioned and will be distributed free of charge to all children attending the early stages of Munster GAA Senior Championship games. In addition, reduced priced ticket packages will be available to supporters who follow both hurling and football teams in their counties. Details of a special discount rate available to all holders of 2009 Munster GAA tickets at participating hotels in Killarney were also announced.

Speaking at the launch GAA President Criostóir Ó Cuana said that “Munster GAA Championship fixtures are special every year and I congratulate Munster GAA on the initiatives announced to give an added incentive to our supporter to come along and support their counties in a fun filled family atmosphere.”

Munster Crest & Website
The new Munster GAA crest and Munster GAA website have also been unveiled. The Munster GAA website munster.gaa.ie will provide up to date information and resources to clubs and supporters worldwide.

125 Year Celebrations
As part of the 125 year celebrations Munster GAA will be honouring the captains of the winning hurling and football teams of the last 25 years as guests of Munster GAA at this year’s Munster GAA Championship finals. In addition, Munster GAA will select a team of the last 25 years in both Hurling and Football

Sunday Game – Munster Hurling Special
The magic and excitement of the Munster Hurling Championship is to be highlighted as part of a Sunday Game special on RTE on Sunday, July 5th. In a first for the Sunday Game, a selected live studio audience will be present to interact and contribute to the programme.