SOUTH LIBERTIES CLUB NOTES

GRAND NATIONAL WINNER 2021

Congratulations to JP and Noreen Mc Manus and all the Mc Manus family, on winning the Aintree Grand National with their horse “Minella Times” last Saturday.

It was an Historic Win for Jockey Rachael Blackmore, from Tipperary, and of course a proud moment for South Liberties with Rachael wearing our colours, as she is the first ever female to win this race. Rachael was top jockey at the Cheltenham Festival – where she won the Champion Hurdle – and crowned a fabulous season with this historic triumph in the world’s greatest steeplechase. “It’s great to win it in these colours, too. It is always a privilege to ride for JP McManus and to win it for him is unbelievable. They have had a tough year so hopefully this can make things a little easier.

CON AND ANNIE KIRBY MEMORIAL STAKE 2021

The Con and Annie Kirby Memorial Stake quarter final round Heats took place last Saturday Night. Unfortunately, our dog “Deadly Destroyer” did not make it through to the semi-finals but well done to owner Gary Hannon and trainer Karol Ramsbottom and we wish them luck in future races.

This year Limerick Greyhound Stadium have launched their Virtual Fundraising package with the Con & Annie Kirby and Limerick GAA in mind. The concept is based on “bringing the club spirit directly to the home” This week is it “GAA SKILLS CHALLENGE”.

Our traditional Puc & Cic Fada competitions will be taking a break this year in line with the current Government COVID-19 guidelines. For the 2021 Con & Annie Kirby Memorial we want our young sportspeople to show their skills virtually with our 30 second challenges.

We have got two age categories 6 to 8 years old and 9 to 12 years old.

Hurling & Camogie Clubs

How many Roll Lifts can you do in 30 seconds? Grab your hurley and sliothar, get a parent or guardian to record your attempts and share it with us to enter.

Football Clubs

How many solo toe taps can you manage in 30 seconds? Get your football, head outside and get a parent or guardian to record your attempts and share it with us to enter.

How to Enter

Parents or Guardians can record their child’s entry and post it to social media using #Kirby2021 AND #VirtualSkills

You can also email your child’s entry to competitions@grireland.ie

Please note that all entries may be used by Limerick Greyhound Stadium and Greyhound Racing Ireland on their website and social media channels for promotion of the competition. If you are emailing your entry and do not want it shared on social media, please clearly state this on the email.

Entries must be received by Sunday 18th April.

4 Winners will each receive a voucher for a sports store. Good luck.

Visit bit.ly/kirby2021clubevents

UNDERAGE CLUB NOTES

U13 will be just South Liberties.

U15 and U17 will amalgamate with Crecora/ Manister

We do not have dates or pairings yet for U19 and U21.

U13 Provisional Match Dates

Hurling June 10th (Thursdays)

Football June 17th (Thursdays)

Hurling Div 3B – South Liberties, St. Patricks, Monaleen, Caherline and Claughaun.

Football Div 3B – South Liberties, Cappamore, Claughaun, St. Patricks, Monaleen

U15 Provisional Match Dates

Hurling June 7th (Mondays)

Football June 14th (Mondays)

Hurling Div 2C – South Liberties/Crecora Manister, Mungret St. Pauls, Croagh Kilfinny Rathkeale, Ballybricken Bohermore Fedamore.

Football Div 2B – South Liberties/Crecora Manister, Cappamore, Adare, Ballybricken Bohermore/Fedamore.

U17 Provisional Match Dates

Hurling June 30th (Wednesdays)

Football July 7th (Wednesdays)

Hurling Div 2A – South Liberties/Crecora Manister, Murroe Boher, Ahane, Pallasgreen, Ballybricken Bohermore.

Football Div 2C – South Liberties/Crecora Manister, Cappagh Rathkeale, Knockaderry, Ballybricken Bohermore Fedamore,

CLUB LIMERICK DRAW 2021

Have You Joined the #CLUBLkDraw for April??

Support our #CLUBLkDraw and be in with a chance to win a fabulous Weber Spirit II E – 320 GBS Gas Barbecue PLUS €250 worth of free utensils. In association with Tadgh O’Connor Hardware – Topline Newcastle West.

Remember, all fundraising proceeds to towards South Liberties and the training fund of the Limerick Hurlers and Footballers.

9 Draws Remaining

Join for 1 month or more

Cancel anytime with no cancellation fees,

29 additional prizes with Top Prize of €10,000 each month,

Next Draw April 24th, 2021.

The April edition of the GAA Club Newsletter is now available.

This month’s edition includes the following and link is on our website:

Covid-19 update for clubs: Nearly there
How to avoid injury when returning to play
GAA launch new series of movement break resources for children
GAA launch Community Heart Programme
How regionalisation could grow club hurling

PITCH SANDING PROJECT

We must mention again that all facilities are off bounds to everyone and ask that all under-age are reminded NOT to enter the grounds. The pitches have been sprayed and could potentially be dangerous. Donations can still be made on our website southliberitesgaaclub.com

MEMBERSHIP 2021.

Please be aware, that with impending and hopeful return to play at end of April, again depending on restrictions level and Government/GAA advice, it is imperative that everyone intending to return, must have membership paid. Please help us make this transition easier now by visiting our website and paying online.

2021 League and Championships – Revised Overview (April 2021)

Preparation window and games provisions:

Return to collective Senior inter county training on April 19th.

No return dates yet, for collective inter county minor or U20 training – current exemptions only relate to Senior level.

Below provisions guarantee a minimum of 5 games for each Senior County Football and Hurling team (all bar 3 counties guaranteed 6 games in Hurling)

Objective – balance

Ensuring sufficient games at inter-county

League v Championship

Club window (2020 and 2021)

Inter county completed by end of August

Original Programme announced in December – 27 weeks; new programme is 20 weeks

Allianz Leagues

Football:

Run from May 15th/16th to potential League finals weekend on June 19th/20th.

Divisions will be split into North and South as planned in December.

4 teams in each group – based on geography.

3 Round Robin games per team.

Top two in each Divisional group to league semis, followed by league final*.

Bottom two in each Divisional group to Relegation semis – losers (2) relegated.

Bottom teams in Division 4 to Shield semi and final.

Changes to what was originally announced:

London will not be participating.

League finals will only be played (on June 19th/20th) if Counties involved are not playing in the Championship on the following weekend.

In that circumstance, Div 1 – joint winners; Div 2, 3, 4 – joint winners and promotion.

Hurling

Hurling:

Div 1 and 2 Counties were asked if they were happy to return after 3 weeks on the basis that 5 league games could be guaranteed or after 4 weeks if only 3 games could be guaranteed – overwhelming majority opted for a return after 3 weeks.

Thus Division 1 and 2 will start on 8th/9th May – Division 3 the following week.

Div 1a and 1b: As announced in December – remain round robin groups of 6

No quarter or semi-finals.

NO DIVISION 1 HURLING LEAGUE FINAL scheduled – there will be either joint winners for 2021, or if the teams that win Div 1a and Div 1b meet in the Championship, this will double as a League Final.

Hurling League Relegation play off to be played as curtain raiser to Senior Hurling Semi Final in August.

Divisions 2 and 3 will not have league finals – top team in each Division will be crowned champions of that Division. Bottom team in 2a, 2b and 3a will be the relegated team.

British based teams will not be involved in the Allianz Leagues. London and Warwickshire will start 2022 in Divisions 2b and 3a respectively; Lancashire in 3b.

2021 Football Championships

· Provincial knock-out Championships

· No Qualifiers

· New York and London NOT involved

· No Tailteann Cup in 2021

2021 Liam Mac Carthy Cup

· Provincial knock-out Championships with back-door qualifier system (as in 2020) but with introduction of relegation (to Mc Donagh Cup).

· There will be 11 teams in Liam Mac Carthy in 2021.

. Munster – Limerick, Waterford, Tipperary, Clare, Cork.

. Leinster – Kilkenny, Galway, Wexford, Dublin, Laois, Antrim

· There will be a preliminary round in the qualifiers between the two defeated Quarter- final teams in Leinster.

· Winners progress to Qualifiers Rd 1 – Losers to Mc Donagh Cup 2022.

2021 McDonagh Cup and 2021 Ring, Rackard and Meagher Cups

· No semi-finals in Mc Donagh Cup is only change from what was proposed in December.

· Mc Donagh Cup winners are promoted in 2021 but do not have a back door into Liam Mac Carthy.

· Mc Donagh Cup and LSHC Final to be on Saturday, 17th July (to ensure Live TV coverage of Mc Donagh Cup final).

· If Kerry wins the 2021 Mc Donagh Cup, they will play in Leinster in 2022 and replace the relegated team from the LSHC.

2020 Minor and U20 Hurling, and Minor Football and 2021 U20 Football and Hurling, Minor Football and Hurling

· Details will be finalized when there is clarity on a return to training/play date.

2021 Club Window Provisions

· Important to note that we still do not have permission to return to club training or games yet (only training in pods of 15 allowed in the North)

· However, calendar is set up in such a way that:

– Club competitions with county players can take place as County teams exit the Championships (in football, teams start exiting from the end of June; in Hurling July 10th) [RESTRICTIONS PERMITTING]

– From August 1st, all Counties bar All Ireland Semi-Finalists in Football and Hurling, and the teams in the Div 1 Hurling Relegation play off, will be free to stage club competitions with county players. [RESTRICTIONS PERMITTING]

– Additionally, the commencement of the Provincial Club Championships will be delayed until Mid-November.

– Provinces have been requested to ensure Clubs from teams in the senior inter-county All Ireland Semi-finals and Finals will not be involved in the earliest round of the relevant Provincial Championship (where possible).

· Senior Provincial Club Championship will most likely start in or around the weekend of Nov 20/21 (dates to be finalized by each Provincial Council).

· All Ireland Senior Club Finals are provisionally scheduled for the weekend of February 12th/13th 2022.

BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS

Congratulations to Mark Keane and Paul Butler who recently celebrated turning 40.

All in the Club wish ye both a belated Happy Birthday and lots of good luck for many more to come.