Gaelic Games

Three candidates have emerged to fill Limerick’s vacant position of Munster Council delegate, following the retirement of Pat Fitzgerald on his elevation to the full-time position of provincial secretary.

New county secretary Mike O’Riordan of Kilmallock, Oola’s John Landers and former county chairman Eddie Wade (South Liberties) have all been nominated and will contest the vote at next Tuesday night’s monthly county board meeting at Claughaun. 

Limerick’s other provincial council delegate is the much-respected and long-serving Rory Kiely, Feenagh/Kilmeedy.

Meanwhile, former President of the Irish Handball Council Tony Hayes (Cappagh) has been returned as the association’s delegate to the GAA.

Ardscoil Ris

Transition year students at Ardscoil Rís will take to the national airwaves next weekend with a number of sporting interviews.

The Limerick school was chosen to partake in the RTE Radio Two TY programme that airs on Sunday night’s at 7pm.  In recent weeks, the RTE Roadcoaster was at the North Circular Road school to record the hour-long programme.

Interviews were recorded with Limerick GAA stars Ollie Moran and John Galvin, as well as fanatical Munster supporter and comedian Jon Kenny.

The programme was researched, produced and recorded by 16 pupils at the school.

Soccer

Hotel tycoon Tommy Moran, a native of Athea, has revealed he turned down an offer to join the Drumaville Consortium that a couple of years ago purchased Sunderland FC.

At the time, Moran said he was preoccupied with his bid for the Great Southern Hotel Group but has no real regrets – the approach was made by fellow countyman and prominent Dublin publican Charlie Chawke.  The Roy Keane managed Sunderland FC now appear safe in their bid to survive in the FA Premiership, having a season earlier won promotion from the ultra-competitive Division One.

Moran, now the head of a €1 billion hotel empire in Ireland and Britain, has been a life-long supporter of sport, and was for a great number of years proud sponsor of all Limerick hurling and football teams.  In his younger days, the now fresh 58-year-old was a useful gaelic football player with Athea.

Hockey

The Eimear Cregan captained Ireland side didn’t fare all that well in their three-game series against Great Britain at Belfield.

Things looked grim for the home team after they were on the end of a 5-0 drubbing in the opening fixture, but they recovered well to earn a respected 1-1 draw and produced another respectable performance in a 3-1 defeat.  Ireland will compete in Olympic Qualifiers next month.