Limerick set to lose blue riband event

Limerick is in danger of losing a national sporting event sponsored by JP McManus.

Wed, 27 Jun, 2012 - 01:00

Jimmy Woulfe

The Irish Cousing Club (ICC) has informed the organisers of the Irish Cup it intends to move the meeting from Patrickswell to an alternative venue.

Tralee and Sevenhouses in Co Kilkenny, according to greyhound sources, are among the favourite venues to take over the running of the historic meeting.

The Irish Cup was first held over 100 years on the lands of Lord Adare at Charity Meadow, Clounanna and organised by the Co. Limerick Coursing Club.

The meeting then moved to Tralee for a number of years while the Co. Limerick Coursing Club sought an alternative venue when Clounanna was no longer available.

The new Limerick racecourse at Patrickswell became the new venue. JP McManus and his wife Noreen sponsor the Irish Cup which carries a first prize of €80,000.

The ICC feel the racecourse venue is no longer suitable and informed the Co. Limerick Coursing club by letter earlier this week that a new venue was being sought.

DJ Histon, chief executive of the ICC confirmed last night that the Irish Cup meeting will no longer be run at Limerick racecourse.

Histon said: “There are a number of clubs who would love to take on the Irish Cup meeting, but no discussions have been concluded on where next year’s event will be held, and we will have to make a decions before our AGM on August 8.”

Histon said the Co. Limerick Coursing Club will have the opportunity to come up with an alternative venue.

However, club sources say it is highly unlikely they will be able to source a new venue.

A spokesman for the club said: “We have received a letter from the ICC and we are examining its contents. We will be making no further comment for the moment.”

Former Limerick hurling manager, Tom Ryan, a member of the Co. Limerick Coursing Club committee said they were shocked and saddened that the Irish Cup will be lost to another part of the country. “The Irish Cup drew coursing followers from all over the country and the UK. It will be a big loss to Co. Limerick,” he said.