Kilmacud Crokes All-Ireland Hurling Sevens 2018 sponsored by Beacon Hospital
For more detail on the 3 competitons Senior, Shield and u13 click thru here
The Beacon Hospital All-Ireland Hurling Sevens, organised by Kilmacud Crokes GAA Club and kindly sponsored this year, for the first time, by Beacon Hospital was officially launched in Croke Park on Tuesday 7th August.
In existence since 1973, and almost as old as the All-Ireland club championship itself, the Sevens has been graced by the greatest players and teams hurling has known. D.J. Carey, Jamesie O’Connor, Diarmuid O’Sullivan, John Leahy, Donal Og Cusack, Eoin Kelly and Joe Canning are just a few of the All-Star recipients and All-Ireland winners that have taken part in this tournament. Proud club sides from all over the country, including Borrisoleigh (Tipperary), Young Irelands (Kilkenny), Portumna (Galway) and Kilmacud Crokes (Dublin) have all claimed the All Ireland Hurling Sevens Title, one of the most coveted prizes in club hurling.
The Sevens form of the game emphasises accurate striking, maintenance of possession and clinical score-taking. Sevens games are invariably high scoring and physically tough encounters where fitness, touch and speed are crucial to success. Indeed, it would be hard to argue that the modern 15-man game has not taken a lot from its Sevens cousin in recent times. One thing is guaranteed, the latter stages of this tournament will be contested as fiercely as any county championship final.
In addition to the main Cup tournament a Shield Competition is also run, catering for teams from the non-traditional hurling counties. There is also an U13 11-a-side event that never fails to produce some glorious hurling from the stars of tomorrow.
Speaking about the event Brian Fitzgerald, Deputy CEO of BEACON HOSPITAL, said
“Beacon Hospital are delighted to have the opportunity to sponsor the All Ireland Hurling 7s at Kilmacud Crokes. It is a pleasure to be associated with the game of hurling at a national level through our support of this prestigious event.
The Hurling Sevens has a long and proud history providing clubs with an ideal platform to showcase their talent in what is always a fiercely contested competition. In addition, its annual fixture on the eve of the All Ireland Hurling Final means that it is a traditional gathering spot for the supporters of the teams participating in the minor and senior finals the following day.
Mark Lohan Chairman of The Sevens Work Group added “we are delighted to have Beacon Hospital on board as our new sponsor and also welcome all of our old friends back to Kilmacud, and look forward to making some new ones, at this year’s Sevens. We invite all hurling supporters to our club and venues to enjoy a feast of top quality hurling action on All-Ireland Saturday”
Also in attendance was Sean Shanley Dublin County Board Chairman, Jim Bolger Leinster Board Chairman CEO and some well known hurling names Richie Stakelum, Ryan O’Dwyer, Niall Corcoran, Bill O’Carroll and Fergal Whitely shared their thoughts on the forthcoming sevens and the All Ireland Final.
Reflecting on the Sevens Event in his event programme article Kilmacud Crokes Manager and Clare Great Anthony Daly said ‘ As a club player the sevens was a super event to play in and enjoy. Mighty craic, magic hurling. A big part of the weekend for us growing up. Even more so these days!’
The Beacon Hospital All-Ireland Hurling Sevens will be held on Saturday 18th August. It is spread over 5 venues in the Kilmacud area including Glenalbyn, UCD, Deerpark, Silverpark and Naomh Olaf with games starting at 10.30 a.m. The final will be played in Pairc De Burca, Glenalbyn at 6.30 pm and is not to be missed.
Fixtures will be available on https://kilmacudcrokes.com/hurling/kilmacud-crokes-hurling from the middle of next week.
