County Limerick issue ‘hands off’ Irish Cup warning to ICC

The Irish Coursing Club have received a ‘hands off’ warning over a decision taken by its executive to switch the Irish Cup meeting from its historical home in Co Limerick.

The ICC declared last month they intended to transfer the meeting from Limerick racecourse at Patrickswell and were seeking expressions of interest from clubs wishing to run the event.

The prestigious cup is sponsored by well known Limerick sportsman JP McManus and carries a winner’s prize of €80,000.

In a dramatic move, the ICC have been told by the County Limerick CC, organisers of the Irish Cup, that they have no legal role in matters relating to the Irish Cup.

Bill Burke, chairman of the CLCC, in a letter to ICC chief executive DJ Histon, warned the ICC they have no authority in running the Irish Cup.

Mr Burke’s letter stated: “We wish to advise the executive committee (ICC) that the running of the Irish Cup is the responsibility of County Limerick CC. The rules of the ICC make specific mention of the County Limerick CC in relation to the Irish Cup.

“The executive committee (ICC) have a role in the running of the National Meeting at Clonmel. For all other meetings the primary responsibility is with the coursing club hosting the event. Furthermore the rules of the ICC make no reference to the executive committee of the ICC deciding what club will run the Irish Cup.”

And his letter added: “If the executive committee (ICC) continues to try and exceed their powers then County Limerick CC will pursue all legal challenges available to it to prevent the executive committee (ICC) from implementing decisions which they are not empowered to make.

He went on: “The actions of the executive committee (ICC) are extremely damaging to the prospects of County Limerick CC financing a move to a new venue.

The creating of an expectation that the executive committee (ICC) could take the Irish Cup from County Limerick Coursing Club (CLCC) has caused significant reputational damage to our club.We look forward to confirmation by you that the decisions of the executive committee (ICC) cannot and will not be implemented.

Mr Burke said he was also extremely concerned about the fairness of the ICC process in arriving at their decision."