Star studded lineup as Birr’s All-Ireland winning sides of 1995 and ‘98 to be honoured
As the countdown gets underway to the 2023 Offaly senior hurling championship final between Shinrone and Kilcormac/Killoughey, there promises to be a great evening of nostalgia in the County Arms Hotel on the eve of the big match.
Birr’s 1995 and 1998 All-Ireland club championship winning sides will be honoured on Saturday, October 14 at an event that is being sponsored by EJ Ireland, based at Roscrea Road, Birr.
Throw-in is at 5.30pm to ensure there is no clash with a potential World Cup Rugby quarter-final between Andy Farrell’s Ireland and New Zealand and the game will be shown live on big screens immediately after the honouring of the 1995 and 1998 teams.
Broadcaster Will O’Callaghan of ‘Off The Ball’ and Midlands 103 will be the MC for the gala event that will feature guest contributions from Anthony Daly (Clare and Clarecastle), Dave Clarke (Limerick and Kilmallock), Michael Duignan (St Rynagh’s and Offaly) and Joe Dooley (Seir Kieran and Offaly).
Tickets cost €20 and can be purchased via Eventbrite or at the County Arms Hotel by calling reception on 057 91 20791.
Earlier on that Saturday, October 14, the eve of the first county hurling final to be staged in Grant Heating St Brendan’s Park, Birr since 2006, 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 action is scheduled to get underway from 11am.
The senior hurling championship final will take place at Grant Heating St Brendan’s Park, Birr on Sunday, October 15.
As part of Birr GAA Club’s weekend of celebration to mark the return of the county senior hurling championship final to Grant Heating St Brendan’s Park, the club has organised a historical talk entitled ‘Sean Robbins - Flying the Faithful Flag.’ The County Arms Hotel will host the event 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.
Meanwhile, 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 Offaly senior hurling championship final.
The Birr native is no stranger to Grant Heating St Brendan’s Park, having played on underage hurling teams with the local GAA club. Mundy 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.
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. 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.