Leinster Council woo children with championship tickets

THE Leinster Council is providing 11,000 free tickets to primary children from the six counties participating in the first round of their provincial SFC championship games on May 11.

Wexford, Laois, Wicklow, Louth, Westmeath and Carlow will play a triple-header in Croke Park on the date in question.

The promotional project is being carried out in partnership with Cumann na mBunscol in each county who will be distributing the free passes and it offers many young supporters the chance of cheering on their county team in Croke Park.

Leinster Chairman, Nicky Brennan, in announcing the project, said, “We are delighted to be able to take advantage of this one-off situation to bring as many young supporters as possible to Croke Park.

“And we are happy to carry out the project in partnership with Cumann na mBunscol, who do so much good work for gaelic games in our Primary Schools.”

Meanwhile, a number of the country’s leading hurlers will take part in the 13th annual Carlow Town All-Ireland Hurling Elevens this weekend.

Mount Sion of Waterford will defend their title while reigning AIB Munster Club champions Ballygunner (Waterford) are sending two teams for the blitz.

Other former holders of the Elevens title taking part are Portlaoise and Rathnure of Wexford.

A total of 35 teams from 13 counties are taking part with the biggest club representation coming from Dublin.

A total of eight venues in the Carlow and surrounding areas are being used for the competition.

There is a total of eight groups, three of whom have five teams with the other five having four teams each.

Group 1: Faughs (Dublin), Mount Sion (Waterford), Tinnahinch (Laois), Clarecastle (Clare), Mungret (Limerick).

Group 2: Carlow Town, Trumera (Laois), Ballygunner (2) (Waterford), St. Brigids (Dublin), Cuala (Dublin).

Group 3: St. Fenton’s (Dublin), Kilmacud Crokes (Dublin), Ballygar (Galway), Toreen (Mayo).

Group 4: Commercials (Dublin), Castletown (Laois), Athleague (Roscommon), Kilmaley (Clare).

Group 5: Naomh Eoin (Carlow), Camross (Laois), St. Vincents (Dublin), Rathnure (Wexford), Ballygunner (1).

Group 6: St. Judes (Dublin), Avondale (Wicklow), Raharney (Westmeath), Eire Og-Corrachoill (Kildare).

Group 7: Kilmacow (Kilkenny), Mountleinster Rangers (Carlow), Shelmaliers (Wexford), Clonad (Laois).

Group 8: Portlaoise, Ballyboden-St. Endas (Dublin), Four Roads (Roscommon), Half Way House (Wexford).