Applegreen All-Ireland Hurling Sevens 2016 Launch

The All-Ireland Hurling weekend is almost upon us and it will begin for all hurling enthusiasts on the pitches in Kilmacud, where the country’s top club hurling sides will compete for their own All-Ireland title.

The Applegreen All-Ireland Hurling Sevens, organised by Kilmacud Crokes GAA Club and kindly sponsored by Applegreen, was officially launched in Croke Park on Tuesday, 23rd  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 Applegreen Cup, 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.  In all, Kilmacud Crokes will play host to 64 teams and a total of 96 games will be played on the day.

Speaking about the event Paul Lynch, Chief Financial Officer of Applegreen, said:

“Applegreen are delighted to have the opportunity to sponsor the Applegreen All Ireland Hurling 7s at Kilmacud Crokes. We have numerous relationships with GAA clubs throughout the country and are delighted 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.

Applegreen is an Irish owned and run company having been founded twenty four years ago by our CEO Bob Etchingham when he acquired the company’s first site in Ballyfermot, Dublin.  The company now has c. 140 locations throughout the Republic of Ireland with a presence in every county while we also have five sites in Northern Ireland including two recently opened Motorway Service Areas either side of Belfast. While now a large company with a substantial overseas presence we are in essence a local company serving both the community and travellers on our roadways. As a result there is a strong affinity with the GAA and both organisations share similar values.”

Peter Walsh, Chairman of Kilmacud Crokes Hurling added “we are delighted to welcome Applegreen 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 six venues to enjoy a feast of top quality hurling action on All-Ireland Saturday”

Also in attendance were Sean Shanley, Chairman of Dublin GAA and some former greats and representative from the counties competing in the All Ireland Final.

Current Kilmacud Crokes and Dublin Hurlers Niall Corcoran, Sean McGrath and Ryan O’Dwyer shared their thoughts on the forthcoming sevens and the All Ireland Final.

The Applegreen  All-Ireland Hurling Sevens will be held on Saturday 3rd  September.  It is spread over 5 venues in the Kilmacud area including Glenalbyn, UCD, Deerpark, Silverpark, Naomh Olaf and Bray Emmets 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 www.kilmacudcrokes-hurling.com from the middle of next week.

For further information contact:

Peter Walsh, Chairman Kilmacud Crokes Hurling Committee, 7s Group Marketing/Communications Officer,

at 00-353-87-233 6475 or Peter.walsh@orpenfranks.ie