GAA pondering League final switch to coincide with Adare Ryder Cup

LEAGUE OF IT'S OWN: Rory McIlroy at Adare Manor. Pic: Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images

THE GAA are exploring the possibility of deferring next year's National Hurling League Division 1A final to the week of the Ryder Cup in Adare in September 2027.

Counties are to be consulted about the idea of moving the decider to coincide with the biennial golf event between Europe and the US, which takes place between September 17-19.

As a one-off occasion, it is proposed the game be staged in TUS Gaelic Grounds, 24 kilometres away from Adare Manor. It would form part of the event schedule in and around the county ahead of the first day of team matchplay competition on the Friday.

With international sports media converging on Limerick for what is only the second time Ireland has hosted the Ryder Cup, the GAA are weighing up the promotional pluses of rearranging the final from its current slot in early April.

Europe Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald and his wife Diane at Adare Manor for a visit ahead of the match against the USA in September 2027.

Next year’s Division 1A participants – Clare, Cork, Dublin, Galway, Kilkenny, Limerick and Tipperary – would have to be open to potentially rearranging club fixtures so that there would be no clashes, while the Gaelic Players Association would also have to be on board. Early indications for the switch are positive.

Adare Manor owner JP McManus was the driving force behind the venue being awarded the Ryder Cup in 2019. It was due to be staged at the resort this year but postponed for 12 months due to the pandemic.

McManus and his family have sponsored the Limerick senior hurling team since 2005. His support for the GAA beyond his native county is well-known. In December 2023, he donated each county €1 million to be distributed to clubs across their three Gaelic sports organisations having given each of the 32 €100,000 five years earlier.

McManus’ generosity in 2018 came a few months after Limerick’s first All-Ireland senior hurling title in 45 years and in ’23 John Kiely’s side completed the four-in-a-row.

In 2004, McManus also contributed €5m to facilitate the costs associated with reconstruction of the Gaelic Grounds’ Mackey Stand.

Adare Manor owner JP McManus, host of the next Ryder Cup in 2027, in attendance during the opening ceremony for the 2025 Ryder Cup. Pic: Vaughn Ridley/Sportsfile.

Last Sunday week, McManus was present in the Gaelic Grounds to celebrate Limerick’s Division 1 final victory over Cork, their fourth NHL title in eight seasons.

In Aintree six days later, he became the most successful owner in Grand National history when I Am Maximus won the feted race for a second time in three years and delivered McManus his fourth win in total after Don’t Push It (2010) and Minella Times (’21).

An autumn National League final would not be unprecedented. In 1997, the competition overlapped with the championship and the Limerick-Galway final was staged in October.

In 2020, due to time constraints precipitated by the pandemic, the Munster SHC quarter-final between Limerick and Clare doubled up as the league final in late October. The following year, the final didn’t take place and Galway and Kilkenny shared the title.

On Tuesday, European captain Luke Donald and his wife Diane visited Adare Manor for the first time since he was reappointed last month. The Englishman will lead the team for what he hopes will be a third consecutive victory.