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Irish Examiner
2 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Intercounty hurling season needs 'total transformation and a complete mindset change' says Leinster chief
Leinster chairman Derek Kent says the inter-county hurling season is too short and requires an overhaul. Following on from his Leinster senior football final match programme notes in which he called for a review of the playing calendar, the Wexford man comments that there is an imbalance between the scheduling of hurling and football fixtures. In his programme notes today, Kent writes: 'Almost 60% of our senior hurling teams in Leinster will have no hurling in June, which surely demonstrates a troubling lack of hurling promotion. 'On the contrary, over 91% of our football teams, all but one of the 12 in the province, will play football this month. That clearly highlights an imbalance in the playing of our games. 'The structures and scheduling that we currently have in place for hurling, which we should remind ourselves is a UNESCO-recognised intrinsic part of Irish culture, require a 'The number of games in a short timeframe including the U20s and U17s has affected the fostering of hurling and our games have been poorly attended to-date. 'The widest issue is the length of our playing season, A decade ago, we played 20% less game in a time of 20% more time. As things stand, the timing of our fixtures is not doing hurling many favours.' Kent's remarks come a day after the Munster SHC final was decided after extra-time and penalties as there is currently no facility for provincial final replays in the GAA Official Guide. A motion to allow for replays in the six provincial deciders between football and hurling was deferred at Congress in February but could be debated at Special Congress on October 4. On the topic of making 20,000 tickets free to U14s for today's double-header, Kent notes: 'The promotion of our games among our children is something we in the Leinster GAA must not lose sight of.'
Extra.ie
26-05-2025
- Sport
- Extra.ie
Leinster gifting 20,000 tickets for hurling final
The Leinster Council have made available 20,000 free tickets for underage teams to the senior hurling final between Kilkenny and Galway on Sunday, June 8. The initiative is part of Leinster GAA's 'ongoing commitment to youth participation and community engagement, providing young players with the opportunity to experience the excitement and atmosphere of Senior Hurling Championship match days.' Eligible groups must consist of a minimum of 10 children (U14 or younger) and be accompanied by at least two supervising adults per group (one adult per 10 children). The Leinster Council have made available 20,000 free tickets for underage teams to the senior hurling final between Kilkenny and Galway. Pic: INPHO/Leah Scholes Applications have to be submitted before noon on Wednesday, June 4. Leinster chairman Derek Kent said: 'This is a celebration of our young players and an investment in the future of our games. 'We want every child involved in GAA to feel connected to the bigger picture – to see our players in action, feel the energy of championship days, and be inspired their Hurling heroes. 'By offering 20,000 free tickets to our players, we're not only giving them a great day out, we're showing them they belong to something special.'
Irish Examiner
25-05-2025
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Leinster GAA make 20,000 free hurling final tickets available to underage teams
The Leinster Council have made available 20,000 free tickets for underage teams to the senior hurling final on Sunday, June 8. In a press release issued on Sunday afternoon, the council explained the initiative is part of Leinster GAA's 'ongoing commitment to youth participation and community engagement, providing young players with the opportunity to experience the excitement and atmosphere of Senior Hurling Championship match days.' Eligible groups must consist of a minimum of 10 children (U14 or younger) and be accompanied by at least two supervising adults per group (one adult per 10 chilren). Applications have to be submitted before noon on Wednesday, June 4. Leinster chairman Derek Kent said: 'This is a celebration of our young players and an investment in the future of our games. We want every child involved in GAA to feel connected to the bigger picture – to see our players in action, feel the energy of championship days, and be inspired their Hurling heroes. By offering 20,000 free tickets to our players, we're not only giving them a great day out – we're showing them they belong to something special.' As part of their alternate agreement with the Munster Council, the Leinster final takes place on Sunday afternoon at 4pm this year, while the southern province's decider is scheduled for the evening previous (6pm). Last year's Leinster final between Dublin and Kilkenny attracted a 35,484 crowd on a Saturday evening, but the previous year's decider involving The Cats and Galway held on a Sunday recorded a disappointing 24,483 attendance.
Irish Examiner
11-05-2025
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Leinster chief calls for 'a complete review' on GAA playing calendar
Leinster GAA chairman Derek Kent has called for 'a complete review' of the GAA's playing calendar. In his provincial SFC final programme notes, the Wexford man has written about the challenges presented by the condensed nature of the inter-county season. He mentions the difficulties faced by supporters in dual counties and those neutral fans who can't get to matches that clash with their own county's fixtures as well as the pressures put on volunteers by the high volume of matches in a contracted period of time. 'Last year, I commented in my programme notes that we review ticket prices, the scheduling of our games and venues,' Kent remarks. 'We considered our pricing structures and provided discounts in the first round, a stand ticket reduced to €15, which was warmly welcomed. 'Before today's final, we stage the nine games in our provincial grounds and showcasing those matches around the province worked well. 'Scheduling remains an issue and that will require a complete review from an open-minded group to finally develop a plan that will endeavour to take into account everyone's opinion but ultimately extend our playing season. 'It is impossible to take in another championship game as a neutral GAA fan, impossible to see and support every inter-county team within a dual county. We are currently playing on average over 15 games per week, excluding U17 and U20. 'So many games in an abbreviated timeframe is hindering the promotion of our games. Administrators, official, volunteers, players, supporters, medics and our media platform are at their limits because of our current scheduling.' Speaking last month, GAA president Jarlath Burns ruled out the possibility of the All-Ireland finals returning to August. 'It's not a non-runner for the future. This year it's out, next year it's out as well. But it's going to be the next president who will make that decision, whether or not we go into August. 'It's probably not going to be my decision, but I would be open to it notwithstanding the health warning that comes with the whole area of starting the club championship. '
Irish Independent
10-05-2025
- Sport
- Irish Independent
‘Opportunity knocks' for Louth and Meath
With Dublin dethroned, Meath and Louth face a once-in-a-generation opportunity in Sunday's Leinster final - a genuine 50/50 contest that neither side can afford to lose as the Royals seek to cement their revival and the Wee County aims to end a 68-year drought Sunday will mark just the second occasion in 21 years that a Leinster Senior Football Championship final has gone ahead without Dublin involvement – 2010 et al. Ahead of last season's championship, provincial chairman Derek Kent spoke of the competition being 'alive and kicking' despite Dessie Farrell's side being on course for a 14th consecutive triumph, a feat they would ultimately achieve.
