Finals to be played in Croke Park on October 27th

The M Donnelly Inter-Provincial Championships were launched today in Croke Park by GAA President Nickey Brennan, sponsor Martin Donnelly and inter-county stars representing all four provinces.

Laois and Leinster hurler James Young, Waterford and Munster hurler Eoin Kelly, Tyrone and Ulster footballer Conor Gormley and Mayo and Connacht footballer Ronan McGarrity were all present in Croke Park.

The first of the semi-finals takes place on Saturday, 13th October in Fermoy between Munster and Leinster with the second semi-final the following week in Ballybofey on the 20th October between Ulster and Connacht. This will be the official turning on of the lights in the Donegal ground.

This year the finals of the M Donnelly inter-provincial will take place in Croke Park under lights on Saturday October 27th. The football final gets under way at 5.15pm with the hurling final at 7.00pm. This will be the first hurling game under lights in Croke Park. Both games will be televised live on RTE.

The GAA is using this opportunity to thank all GAA supporters for their support throughout the season and the ticket prices for the finals reflect this. Adult tickets will cost €10 with children’s tickets just €5. Group tickets aimed at clubs and schools will see an adult and 10 children ticket admitted for €10. Tickets are available from GAA outlets, through the official GAA website www.gaa.ie, and from Ticketmaster Outlets nationwide.

The GAA is also planning to celebrate the diversity and multiculturalism of modern Ireland by encouraging people from overseas living here to attend the Interprovincial finals at Croke Park. The Association has been in contact with various ethnic societies and media in the Dublin region and will be running promotions through the likes of shops, clubs, university societies and so on as well as running poster campaigns in a variety of different languages in various areas of the city.

Speaking at the launch, GAA President Nickey Brennan said; “This year the M Donnelly Inter-Provincials will be back in Croke Park on the big stage. The Association is getting fully behind the competition with initiatives and promotions aimed at school children and the non-Irish communities which should be a major boost to the finals. I would like to thank Martin Donnelly for his loyal support and backing for the Inter-Provincials and wish all those participating all the best in the coming weeks.”

Sponsor Martin Donnelly said; “I am delighted to see the Inter-Provincials back in Croke Park and I am looking forward to another highly competitive championship. It is great that the GAA is introducing strong initiatives through Cumann na mBunscoil and is putting in place promotions to target non-Irish nationals in what is a new departure for the Association. It is also great to see players of the calibre of Conor Gormley, Ronan McGarrity, James Young and Eoin Kelly here to lend their support to this competition.”

Martin Donnelly - one of the most generous of GAA sponsors - with kids of various nationalities at the launch of the 2007 M Donnelly inter-provincial championships, at Croke Park.

- Photo credit: SPORTSFILE. More pics here

M Donnelly Inter-Provincial Championship Fixtures:

13.10.07 (Sat)

M. Donnelly Inter-Provincial Championships 2007

Peil

Semi-Final

Fermoy 1.30 Mumha v Laighin

Iomáint

Semi-Final

Fermoy 3.15 Mumha v Laighin


20.10.07 (Sat)


Iomáint

Semi-Final

Ballybofey 6.00 Connacht v Uladh

Peil

Semi-Final

Ballybofey 8.00 Uladh v Connacht


27.10.07 (Sat)

M. Donnelly Inter-Provincial Championships 2007


Peil Final


Páirc an Chrócaigh 5.15


Iomáint Final

Páirc an Chrócaigh 7.00