Wicklow score with golf classics

OVER €250,000 has been raised in the past fortnight by golf classics in aid of the Wicklow footballers.

The majority of the money came from a corporate golf classic held at Druid’s Glen last week and organised by the friends of Wicklow footballers, a committee headed by Sean Fitzpatrick, the head of Anglo Irish Bank, who is taking over as chief executive of Smurfits from Dr Michael Smurfit.

Some 40 teams helicoptered into the Druids Glen course to take part in the fundraiser, each team forking out €6,000 to take part and support the Garden County’s footballers.

Just two days ago at Blainroe Golf Club, another €20,000 was raised for Wicklow footballers from a classic run by the GAA’s own golf classic committee, with nearly 50 teams taking part.

Michael Murphy, Wicklow’s county administrator, confirmed their office in Arklow sold over 3,000 tickets alone for Sunday’s match and expects that upwards of 7,000 supporters will travel to Croke Park.

Meanwhile O’Connor Park, Tullamore was yesterday confirmed as the venue for the Leinster SFC quarter-final between Laois and Longford on Saturday June 2.

Health and safety officials gave the venue the all-clear after the Offaly County Board provided a guarantee that development works will be complete in time for the game.

Last year a new 7,000-seater stand was opened at the venue and further redevelopment are taking place to modernise the terrace opposite the stand, which was originally a grass-covered hill. Just last week it was agreed by a toss of a coin at a Leinster Council meeting that Longford would have home advantage if O’Connor Park was unavailable, after delegates decided against another neutral venue.

However the game will now take place as a Saturday evening fixture with live TV coverage provided by RTÉ.