Mullagh claim victory in 40th Annual One Direct Kilmacud Crokes All Ireland Hurling Sevens Competition 2012

The 40th Annual One Direct Kilmacud Crokes All Ireland Senior Hurling Sevens Competition was played out in splendid sunshine in 5 venues in County Dublin today.

Over 60 Teams representing the 4 provinces took part in the Senior Cup, Shield and u13 competitions. With a tight schedule to maintain, the first ball was thrown in at 10.30am and the action commenced at a fantastic pace. The tempo never let up throughout the Senior group games as teams from Galway, Tipp and Dublin dominated their sessions, culminating in four Galway teams reaching the semi-final, ensuring that at least one All-Ireland trophy would cross the Shannon this weekend.

The Semi Finals make up was Kiltormer V Gort and Mullagh V Beagh with Mullagh and Gort facing off in the final. The local rivalry was evident, with both teams showing tremendous hunger and desire to claim this coveted title. Mullagh was the eventual winner, coming of best in a score-line of 9-09 to 7-08.

The Shield Final, in which teams from counties with emerging hurling talent compete, was hotly contested by Eire Og Currahill of Kildare V Eoghan Rua of Tyrone, with Eire Og Currahill arising as the victor.

The future of hurling was well represented by the U13 contingents from all over Ireland with Galway again represented in the final through Clarinbridge, togging out against a great Douglas team from Cork. In a thrilling final, Clarinbridge turned up trumps.

Kilmacud Crokes Hurling Chairman, Peter Walsh said, “In this landmark year, the 40th Annual occurrence of this event, Kilmacud Crokes is very pleased that this year’s competition has yet again truly showcased the best of club hurling in the country. We would like to thank One Direct for their support for this competition and because of them, Kilmacud Crokes can continue to provide a platform for hurling talent in this unique competition. This official All Ireland tournament is one of the most prestigious competitions on the club calendar and we congratulate, Mullagh, Eire Og Currahill and Clarinbridge on their success and hope to see them back next year”

On behalf of One Direct, the new sponsors for the Sevens, their Managing Director David Egan expressed his delight at the day’s event and his organisations participation in a national GAA event. David added “At the launch of the event, I mentioned how One Direct are so keenly aware of the value that GAA clubs bring to their local community which is something that is also important to One Direct.  Today, at Kilmacud Crokes home-ground in Glenalbyn, One Direct was part of something special, this vibrant cultural phenomenon of club support as people thronged Pairc De Burca to see the finals.

Walsh added, “I would like to record our thanks to Tom Rock and his team on the One Direct Kilmacud Crokes All-Ireland Hurling 7’s workgroup.  Yet again, despite the size of the undertaking, a fantastic competition was excellently well run and we owe a debt of gratitude to the workgroup for their efforts in continuing this fine tradition.”

Walsh continued. “However, even as we celebrate this great competition, today we do so with some sadness due to the untimely death of our club Chairman, Tom Murphy very late on Friday night. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this very difficult time.”

2012 marked the 40th annual Kilmacud Crokes All-Ireland Hurling Sevens competition, held on the Saturday of the All-Ireland Hurling Championship Final weekend. To celebrate this milestone, Kilmacud Crokes invited back the captains from each of the winning clubs of the Senior Competition and presented them with their very own commemorative medallion and a pennant for their club. (For more click HERE). Kilmacud Crokes stalwart, Tom Barry, produced a fantastically detailed magazine commemorating this historic occasion which will be an invaluable future resource.

Walsh finished “The One Direct Kilmacud Crokes All Ireland Hurling Sevens competition has yet again provided thrilling action and entertainment for players and supporters alike. I couldn’t think of a better was to kick off the All-Ireland Hurling Final weekend.”