Mundy to perform in Birr on county hurling final day
Chart-topper and award-winning singer songwriter Mundy will be the warm up act at Grant Heating St Brendan’s Park, Birr on Sunday, October 15 prior to the 2023 Molloy Environmental Systems Offaly senior hurling championship final.
With the championship semi-finals down for decision this weekend, Shinrone v Ballinamere and Kilcormac/Killoughey v St Ryangh’s, we are moving a step closer to knowing the destination of the coveted Sean Robbins Cup for 2023.
Birr native Mundy is no stranger to St Brendan’s Park, having starred on underage hurling teams with the local GAA club. Indeed, he lined out on a Birr U14 Féile na nGael side in 1988 that also featured Darren Hanniffy and Simon Whelahan, two players who went on to win All-Ireland medals with their club and county.
Birr GAA club officers and committee members are busy putting in place arrangements for the return of the county’s showpiece hurling final.
On the day of the final, the national anthem will be performed by another renowned Birr singer and one of Ireland's leading basses, John Molloy. John’s family are steeped in Offaly hurling lore and his late father, Paddy, was the first recipient of the Sean Robbins Cup in 1960 after he captained Drumcullen to success.
And the finalists will gather behind the Limerick City Pipe Band for the traditional pre-match parade which is sure to add to the excitement of what is always a great occasion.
2023 also marks the Silver Jubilee of Offaly’s 1998 Liam MacCarthy Cup triumph and the members of that squad will be introduced to the crowd at Grant Heating St Brendan’s Park, Birr on Sunday, October 15.
Ahead of the final, primary school pupils throughout the county are being invited and encouraged to participate in county final themed painting, colouring and essay competitions. There are various categories for junior infants up to fourth class and for fifth and sixth classes and correspondence has been sent to schools with full details.
The closing date for receipt of entries is Friday, October 6 and the winning prize in each category will be an Offaly GAA jersey.
On Saturday, October 14, the eve of the county hurling final, St Brendan’s Community School will be the venue for a ‘Future Stars’ festival of hurling featuring U8 players from throughout the county and beyond.
The County Arms Hotel, Birr will play host to an historical talk entitled ‘Sean Robbins - Flying the Faithful Flag’ on Friday, October 13, at 8pm. The guest speaker will be renowned historian and author Aidan Doyle as he takes the audience on an insightful journey through the life and times of Sean Robbins, the man whose name is commemorated in Offaly hurling's most coveted prize.
On Saturday, October 14, there will be a huge night of hurling nostalgia and chat, again in the County Arms Hotel, as Birr’s 1995 and 1998 All-Ireland club championship winning sides are honoured. This event is being sponsored by EJ Ireland, based at Roscrea Road, Birr.
Broadcaster Will O’Callaghan of ‘Off The Ball’ and Midlands 103 will be the MC for a gala night that will feature guest contributions from Anthony Daly (Clare & Clarecastle), Dave Clarke (Limerick & Kilmallock), Michael Duignan (St Rynagh’s & Offaly) and Joe Dooley (Seir Kieran & Offaly), while many other players that faced Birr during the 90s are also expected to be present and these will be announced over the coming weeks. Tickets costing €20 can be purchased via Eventbrite or at the County Arms Hotel reception 057 91 20791.