Launch of The Munster GAA Primary Games 2016

The launch of the 2016 Munster Primary Game took place at Aras Mumhan on Monday May 16th. Former Primary Game players Tom Morrissey and Seánie O’Brien of Limerick attended as did camogie star Mary O Callaghan and Limerick footballer Peter Nash.

In schools throughout Munster, boys and girls are eagerly awaiting the advent of the Munster hurling and football Championships for it also heralds the start of the Primary Game series. The Munster GAA Primary Games have been a feature of Big Match Day in the province since 1996. Championship day in Munster, hurling or football, would not be complete without the exhibition games provided by boys and girls from the competing counties. Two games with eleven players per team, one for boys and one for girls will take place on the day of each Munster Senior Championship clash. Games will be played at half-time during the senior match.

This year’s Munster GAA Primary Game will see almost 400 boys and girls from all the counties of Munster line out in their county colours at Semple Stadium, the Gaelic Grounds, Fitzgerald Stadium and other venues throughout the province.

Played at half-time during Munster Championship games, The Munster GAA Primary Games give sports-mad boys and girls the opportunity to wear their county jersey on Big Match Day, sharing the spotlight with their heroes on their “Field of Dreams” in front of huge crowds of ardent supporters.

Many children who made their inter-county bow in the Primary Game have gone on to greater things. Next Sunday in Semple Stadium Cork’s Patrick Horgan and Tipperary’s Noel McGrath will be examples of senior players that the primary game participants can aspire to emulating. Limerick was home to the launch on Monday and hurlers Seamus Hickey, Nickie Quaid, Graeme Mulcahy, Declan Hannon and camogie stars Niamh and Claire Mulcahy are among many Limerick players to have a Primary Game jersey stashed away carefully at home.

Kerry midfield duo Anthony Maher and David Moran are graduates of the Munster GAA Primary Game as well as soccer star David Meyler and Munster and Ireland scrum half Conor Murray.

Jerry O’Sullivan, Chairman of the Munster Council., speaking at the launch said “the emphasis in is on participation, enjoyment and developing skill,”

Joe Lyons, Chairman of Munster Cumann na mBunscol emphasised the importance of the games: “this year’s Munster GAA Primary Game promises to be very exciting for all the children. Innovative ideas such as this are the lifeblood of our games.”

The first primary games of the year take place in Semple Stadium on Sunday next when boys and girls from Cork and Tipperary will take to the famous pitch in Thurles at half-time in the Munster SHC game between Cork and Tipperary.

Tickets are available online at gaa.tickets.ie and in selected Centra and SuperValu stores as well as through GAA clubs in the participating counties. All juvenile tickets just €5.
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Further details:

Joe Lyons, Chairman. Cumann na mBunscol (086) 8113284.
e-mail: joegreenandwhite@gmail.com

Ger Ryan
Gearóid Ó Riain
Munster GAA PRO
OCP Comhairle na Mumhan
pro.munster@gaa.ie