Tipp and Limerick champs to make hurling history on South Kerry's Iveragh Peninsula 

Portmagee GAA pitch. Pic via Skellig Rangers GAA

Football will put its hand up for a bit of attention on Saturday in places like Killarney and Sligo and Derry. But this is hurling’s weekend, when the grand old game makes its big entrance, when dust rises and the rain magically evaporates in the white heat of championship.

Fitting then, that hurling is also making an historic appearance in the Kingdom on Saturday, before the big ball action has its hour in the evening sun.

The Skellig Rangers club, based in Portmagee and gazing across at Valentia, highlighted a remarkable historical landmark in launching the inaugural staging of their Perpetual Hurling Invitational Shield, to be contested at 1:45pm on Saturday at Portmagee GAA Grounds between Tipperary senior champions Kildangan and Limerick champions Na Piarsaigh.

This, the club says, is to be first adult hurling match played on South Kerry’s Iveragh Peninsula since 1964, 60 years ago.

Far away from Kerry’s hurling strongholds in the north of the county, sticks, as one clubman volunteered, are for bating cows into fields in these parts.

Efforts at juvenile level have been made across the decades, but this hasn’t been hurling’s fertile ground. Still a big crowd is expected for this contest that brings together two All-Ireland club contenders, who will test their readiness for campaigns ahead and avail of the renowned hospitality after.

Skellig Rangers Perpetual Hurling Invitational Shield

"We are delighted to bring hurling back to the Iveragh Peninsula after six decades," said Mark Conway, Skellig Rangers chairperson. "This event not only celebrates our sporting heritage but also underscores our commitment to fostering community engagement and support. We look forward to welcoming fans and supporters for what promises to be a thrilling match.

“After the game we look forward to a great evening in the Village with both teams watching Kerry versus Cork in the Munster Championship and there will be live entertainment in The Moorings and The Fishermans Bar.” 

To make sure they are getting hurleys into hands locally, the half-time show at Portmagee will take the form of a first-ever South Kerry Puc Fada Championship, with male and female participants from neighbouring clubs Derrynane, Dromid, Reenard, Skellig Rangers, Sneem, St. Mary's, St. Michael's Foilmore, Valentia Young Islanders, and Waterville.

Lisa Lambe, a regular these days on anthem duty at the Aviva and Croke Park, will belt it out again. And her brother Tony, the well-known Dublin official, will take the whistle. 

Tickets are priced at €15 per adult, with children under 16 free. Available at skelligrangersgaa.com