Ballyboden hosts hurling championship launch
GAA president Christy Cooney has continued to show his commitment to bringing the club to the fore, with the first ever All-Ireland Hurling Championship launch in a GAA Club being hosted today by Ballyboden St Enda's in Dublin.
Inter-county players from all four provinces and Cooney have joined club members and juvenile players from Ballyboden in officially launching the 2010 campaign.
Five in-a-row All-Ireland chasers Kilkenny were represented by Brian Hogan, with Ballyboden St. Enda's and Dublin hurler Stephen Hiney also in attendance.
Antrim hurler Shane McNaughton represented Ulster, while David Collins (Galway) and Tipperary's Conor O'Mahony were on hand too.
Cooney said: "It's that time of the year when the long wait for Championship action comes to an end and expectation levels come into sharp focus.
"Ballyboden St. Enda's record on the hurling front speaks for itself and while Kilkenny will look to capture their fifth consecutive Liam MacCarthy title this year, Ballyboden St Enda's have their sights set on a four in-a-row of Dublin Championship wins.
"This level of success is of course augmented by excellent work at underage level in addition to the development of superb facilities.
"I would also like to acknowledge the role of our Championship partners, Centra, Etihad Airways and Guinness, and thank them for their respective roles in promoting our Championship.
The 2010 Hurling Championship got underway last weekend with the opening round matches in Ulster.
There will be a second round double header at Casement Park this Saturday as London take on Monaghan and Armagh, and Tyrone face off in the later match.