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Daniel Rooney, the Director of Business of Development & Strategy at Pittsburgh Steelers visited Newry today in the footsteps of his late grandfather Dan Rooney, whose great grandfather was born in The Meadow in the city.
Pittsburgh Steelers have been awarded rights to expand their brand and activities on the island of Ireland as part of the NFL’s ‘Global Markets Program. The only NFL game ever to be played in Ireland was back in 1997 in Croke Park but the team aspire to return to play a game here again. Perhaps Pairc Esler would be the perfect venue considering the family connection to Newry. They are also looking to host a series of events for new and existing fans here. Rooney was accompanied by former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kordell Stewart.
To mark the announcement, representatives from the Pittsburgh Steelers visited Croke Park in Dublin yesterday, before continuing their journey northbound today, where Daniel Rooney, son of Pittsburgh Steelers owner Art Rooney II was able to visit his ancestral home of Newry.
Pittsburgh has been awarded the rights to carry out in-person activities such as fan and youth football activities. The ‘Global Markets Program’ license also enables the Steelers to partake in corporate sponsorship and merchandise sales, as well as co-marketing relationships throughout the island of Ireland.
“We are excited to have been granted the rights to engage more deeply with our fans on the island of Ireland,” Steelers President Art Rooney II said. “My family has deep roots throughout Northern Ireland and being able to connect with our fans across the Island is something special to our organization. My father did so much in Ireland during his lifetime, first as one of the founders of the Ireland Funds, then as Ambassador. We look forward to growing our fan base and the love of American football in the years to come.”
Dublin’s Croke Park played host to the Steelers and Chicago Bears preseason game in 1997, still the only NFL game to ever be played in Ireland. The game was made possible in large part to the Steelers late Chairman, Dan Rooney. Rooney’s ties with Ireland were notable, as he served as the United States Ambassador to Ireland from 2009-2012. He also helped establish the Ireland Funds, a program founded to promote and support peace, culture, education and community development across Ireland and among Irish communities around the world.
This ‘Global Markets Program’ license will enable the Steelers to bring back some of the traditions and initiatives instituted by Dan Rooney, as well as to bring some new ones forward. The team has already launched dedicated Irish social media accounts and intends to hold its first in-market event this upcoming season by hosting a fan watch party. As part of its long-term planning, the team aspires to return to the island to play an NFL game.
“We are thrilled the Pittsburgh Steelers have been awarded the marketing and commercial rights to Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland,” said Brett Gosper, Head of NFL Europe & UK. “With their deep roots and heritage, the Steelers make for a fantastic partner in helping to grow and engage with the passionate NFL fan base across the island of Ireland. Growing the game globally is a major strategic priority for the League and all 32 clubs, and the ‘Global Markets Program’ will continue to help accelerate the momentum and interest in our sport around the world.”
As part of the ‘Global Markets Program’ initiative, NFL clubs have access to international markets for at least a five-year term, during which a club has the rights to pursue activities in that international market that are consistent with what they can do in their home market.
Following the granting of the ‘Global Markets Program’ here the Steelers are looking to host a series of events for new and existing fans such as watch parties and flag football events and will work to connect Steelers fans here directly with Pittsburgh.
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Around 1,500 runners took part in todays Newry Half Marathon and 10k races. There was an absolute a hive of activity around the Albert Basin/ The Quays for the event with runners warming up and catching up. Sponsored by Newry Business Improvement District and Newry Credit Union the event just keeps getting bigger and better every year. The weather was very kind to participants with a mixture of overcast and sunny conditions, although runners did have to face into a light breeze on their homeward stretch.
This year the first man home in the half marathon was 28 year old Adam Smyth a Belfast Harriers runner from Lurgan. Adam ran the course in an chiptime of 1:11:26 and that was despite getting a nasty cut to his knee before the race even started. The second man home was 50 year old Chris McCaffrey in a chiptime of 1:15:21 while third was Aidan Brown, 42 in 1:15:44.
The first woman home in the half marathon was 36 year old Eimear Nicholl from St Peter's Lurgan in a chiptime of 1:23:29. Second home was Cathy McCourt, 50 in 1:25:06 chiptime while third was Collette McCourt, 43 in a chiptime of 1:25:13.
In the 10k Gary Crummy, 26, Newry AC was first man home in a chiptime of 0:31:07. Second was Eamon Whyte, 54, North Belfast Harriers in a chiptime of 0:33:24 while third was Danny Bradley, Orangegrove 35 in a chiptime of 0:34:04.
First woman home was Edel Gaffney, 35 from Trim AC in a chiptime of 0:36:47. Second was Laura Buckley, Dunboyne in chiptime of 0:37:48 while third was Eimear McCracken, Annadale Striders in 0:39:34 chiptime.
Wheelchair athlete Karl Doherty from Donegal came home in a 1:17:47 chiptime in the half marathon. Young Archie Cunningham from Bessbrook was a very popular finisher in the 10k on his trike with his dad Damian struggling to keep up with him on his bicycle!
If you took part and want to see your finishing time check out the Champion Chip results
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Armagh player Aimee and Blaithín Mackin and Down player Natalie McKibbin were just some of the stars from the competing counties who gathered at Croke Park today, 29 May to officially launch the 2023 TG4 All-Ireland Ladies Football Championships.
Sunday 13 August will see the 50th TG4 All-Ireland Senior Championship Final take place in Croke Park.
The captains of the 1974 All-Ireland Senior Final teams – Tipperary’s Kitty Ryan-Savage and Offaly’s Agnes Gorman – joined current players at Croke Park today to launch the 2023 campaign.
The very first All-Ireland Senior Final, won by Tipperary, was played in Durrow, county Laois, in 1974. To acknowledge this, TG4’s Peil na mBan Beo lead anchor Máire Ní Bhraonáin was joined at Durrow Castle recently by Aimee Mackin (Armagh), Louise Ní Mhuircheartaigh (Kerry), Maria Reilly (Mayo) and Niamh O’Sullivan, from TG4 All-Ireland Senior champions Meath, for a promotional photoshoot.
Intermediate representatives Síofra Ní Chonaill (Clare) and Amy Hamill (Monaghan) were also present, alongside Junior players Claire Dunne (Sligo) and Ruth Bermingham (Carlow), to help launch the 2023 TG4 All-Ireland Championships.
At Croke Park today, a host of leading players were also present as the countdown to what promises to be a spectacular season of Championship football continues.
TG4 has been the title sponsor of the All-Ireland Ladies Football Championships since 2001 and the partnership has evolved into one of the most recognised and innovative in world sport.
In 2022, TG4 announced a five-year extension of its sponsorship of the All-Ireland Ladies Football inter-county championships, with this deal set to last until the conclusion of the 2027 season.
With the 2023 TG4 Provincial Championships coming to an end yesterday, the groups for the All-Ireland Senior and Intermediate Championships have been populated.
At Senior level, defending champions Meath, aiming for a third successive TG4 All-Ireland Senior title, will look to regroup after losing the Leinster Final to Dublin, and the Royal County now find themselves alongside Ulster champions Donegal, and Waterford, in Group B of the All-Ireland series.
Group A features Connacht champions Mayo, Ulster runners-up Armagh, and Laois, while Leinster champions Dublin, Lidl National League Division 1 champions Kerry, who lost to Cork in yesterday’s Munster Final, and Cavan will play in Group C.
Group D is made up of Munster champions Cork, Connacht runners-up Galway, and Tipperary.
In the Intermediate Championship, 2021 and 2022 All-ireland Finalists Wexford lost to Kildare in yesterday’s Leinster Final, and are pitted with Connacht champions Roscommon, and Monaghan, in Group C.
Kildare are in Group A with Leitrim and Louth, with Clare, Tyrone, Offaly and Wexford in a four-team Group B.
In Group D, newly-crowned Ulster Intermediate champions Antrim, who were the 2022 TG4 All-Ireland Junior winners, will battle it out with Longford and Westmeath.
In the Senior and Intermediate Championships, two teams will emerge from each group to contest the quarter-finals, with the top two teams in each of the Junior groups progressing to the semi-finals.
The 2023 TG4 All-Ireland Championships will commence over the weekend of 10/11 June, with five Intermediate fixtures down for decision.
The TG4 Senior Championship is due to get underway on Saturday 17 June, with the Junior Championship roaring into life on Sunday 18 June.
The 2023 TG4 All-Ireland Senior Championship semi-finals will be played as a double-header at Semple Stadium in Thurles, county Tipperary, on Saturday 29 July.
The 50th year of the Ladies Gaelic Football Association, which was founded in Thurles on July 18, 1974, will officially commence on 18 July 2023.
The 2023 TG4 All-Ireland Finals will be staged as a triple-header once again at Croke Park on Sunday 13 August, with the Junior Final at 11.45am, followed by the Intermediate decider at 1.45pm and the Senior Final at 4pm.
Peil na mBan Beo will be available to audiences globally on the TG4 Player at www.tg4.ie and on the TG4 Mobile and Smart TV App.
Former Galway star Máire Ní Bhraonáin will lead TG4’s Peil na mBan Beo coverage once again for the forthcoming Championship season. The commentary team will be headed up by Brian Tyers.
They will be joined by expert panellists including former Cork TG4 All-Ireland Championship winners Rena Buckley and Rhóna Ní Bhuachalla, ex-Waterford ace Michelle Ryan, Dublin All-Ireland winners Sorcha Furlong and Sinéad Finnegan, Wicklow’s Niamh Russell and current Donegal player, Emer Gallagher.
TG4’s coverage will be produced by Waterford-based production company, Nemeton TV.
The LGFA and TG4 are also delighted to confirm that all other games that are not being televised in the TG4 All-Ireland Championships will be available to view via the LGFA’s live-streaming service. Visit lgfaseason2023 for full details.
Speaking on behalf of TG4, Director General Alan Esslemont said: “Agus muid ag tús comórtais eile Craoibhe, tá TG4 thar a bheith bródúil as ár gcomhpháirtíocht leis an LGFA mar urra agus mar chraoltóir ar Chraobhacha na hÉireann i bPeil na mBan. Samhradh stairiúil atá romhainn agus muid ag tabhairt aghaidh ar an 50ú Cluiche Ceannais Sinsir agus is ábhar sásaimh agus bróid dúinn go raibh baint thábhachtach ag TG4 leis an dul chun cinn atá á dhéanamh ag an spórt iontach seo.
“There is so much to look forward to in this year’s TG4 All-Ireland Ladies Football Championships at all levels - Junior, Intermediate and Senior. The quality of inter-county football increases every year, as does the fierce rivalry and, from the evidence of this year’s Lidl National Leagues, we can expect one of the most open and competitive Senior Championships ever. The prize this year is the truly momentous and historic honour of becoming the winners of the 50th Senior All-Ireland Championship Final.
“My admiration for the women and men who have built the LGFA knows no bounds. It is truly the key institution of women’s sport in Ireland and has been a pioneering leader in the long march towards parity of esteem with male sport. We see some progress in this direction but deep-rooted biases are always difficult to shift. As a minority language broadcaster, I believe that TG4 understands that struggle for some kind of societal equality and the solidarity between the two organisations is very strong.
“That solidarity is very much founded on the strength of the partnership relationship which the LGFA has created with TG4 and the truly historic role which Chief Executive, Helen O’ Rourke, has played in building and maintaining that partnership. I also salute Uachtarán Mícheál Naughton, all the fantastic staff at the LGFA and everyone in club, county, provincial and national management structures who are driving Peil na mBan forward towards its 50th Senior Final and into its 50th year.
“Ba mhaith liom buíochas freisin a ghlacadh le gach duine i TG4 agus i Nemeton as a saothar seachtainiúil ag cur clúdach spóirt den chéad scoth ar fáil ar TG4 agus guím gach rath ar na foirne agus a lucht leanta a bheidh páirteach i gCraobhacha TG4 2023.”
Mícheál Naughton, President of the Ladies Gaelic Football Association, commented: “We’ve already been treated to some spectacular action throughout the Lidl National Leagues and the TG4 Provincial Championships – and now it’s almost time for the 2023 TG4 All-Ireland Championships to get underway.
“As we prepare to enter the 50th year of the Ladies Gaelic Football Association, August 13th at Croke Park will be an historic day, as we will crown our All-Ireland Senior champions for a 50th time.
“There have been some outstanding moments of history throughout the previous 49 Senior Championship campaigns and countless legends created. As we prepare for our 50th Senior Championship season, we can look ahead to what looks like a wide-open race, with a number of contenders starting the TG4 All-Ireland series with a genuine sense that they can finish it with the Brendan Martin Cup.
“We’re also looking forward to brilliant Football in the Intermediate and Junior Championships, with the teams in these competitions battling it out for the national silverware on offer and the chance to compete at a higher Championship grade.
“Along every step of the way, TG4 will be with us, as they have been since 2001. TG4’s commitment and dedication to Ladies Gaelic Football has helped to elevate our sport to new heights and it’s a partnership that continues to grow and evolve.
“We were delighted to sign a long-term extension of our partnership in 2022, which will take us up to the conclusion of the 2027 season.
“Today, we are delighted to have the respective team captains, Kitty Ryan-Savage from Tipperary and Offaly’s Agnes Gorman, with us from that very first Senior Final in 1974. Ladies Gaelic Football has enjoyed tremendous growth since then and we’re anticipating bumper attendances at the various venues along the road to Croke Park in August.
“Once again, and as we make our way through the Championships, we’re proud to ensure that we can cater for a worldwide audience, via TG4 and also on our live-streaming portal.
“Fans of Ladies Gaelic Football won’t miss a minute of the action, with our 2023 TG4 All-Ireland Junior, Intermediate and Senior Champions set to be crowned on August 13th. Many thanks to TG4 Director General Alan Esslemont, Head of Sport, Rónán Ó Coisdealbha and the entire TG4 team for their continued support of Ladies Gaelic Football.
“As always, we need the help of our clubs and counties to ensure that our inter-county players receive the support in the stands and from the terraces that they richly deserve throughout the Championship season.”
#ProperFan
2023 TG4 All-Ireland Championship groupings
Senior:
Group A: Mayo, Armagh, Laois
Group B: Donegal, Meath, Waterford
Group C: Dublin, Kerry, Cavan
Group D: Cork, Galway, Tipperary
Intermediate:
Group A: Kildare, Leitrim, Louth
Group B: Clare, Tyrone, Offaly, Wicklow
Group C: Roscommon, Wexford, Monaghan
Group D: Antrim, Longford, Westmeath
Junior:
Group A: Sligo, Kilkenny, Limerick, Down
Group B: Derry, Carlow, London, Fermanagh
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Local sports clubs can apply for funding of up to £1000 from a new 'Play it Forward Fund' from full fibre broadband company Fibrus.
Funding can be used for new kit and equipment, to improve existing facilities, or towards training fees. The fund opened yesterday and closes 27 June 2023.
Speaking of the initiative Dominic Kearns, Chief Executive of Fibrus, said “Sport and clubs are the heart of many of the towns and villages we operate in and Fibrus has committed to investment not only through the build of our critical infrastructure, but in the people and kids within those communities that represent them with pride.
“Now, more than ever, it’s important for children to have access to digital connectivity for education and communication. Yet, it’s equally important for them to take time to take time away from their devices, make friends, and have fun. That's why we’re launching a new sports fund to support clubs that help children get outside and connect with each other.”
Fibrus have supported An Ríocht GAA Club and Rathfriland Football Club as well as their corporate sponsorship deals with Antrim GAA and Coleraine Football Club
The Fibrus ‘Play it Forward Fund’ will be made available in two tranches, with the first round closing 27 June, and the second round opening in October.
Sports clubs can apply for funding via www.fibrus.com
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If you fancy a short run or even a walk surrounded by beautiful scenery the upcoming 'Long Woman's 5k' is the event for you. Taking place on Wednesday 21 June at 7.30pm the event aims to raise enough money to extend and enhance extra-curricular activities for pupils at Scoil Naomh Lorcan, Omeath.
This year there is a fab new route that will see participants positioning themselves at the start line, near The Long Woman's Grave, from there, they will follow clear road directions that will lead them, along what is arguably the most scenic stretch of the Cooley Peninsula, down into Omeath village with a fast flat race to the finish line!!
Along the way both runners and walkers can breathe in, fill their lungs and embrace the natural beauty and capture the outstanding views across Carlingford Lough to Warrenpoint and beyond.
The 5K Run/Walk is open to participants of all abilities. Refreshments will be served afterwards. The event is chipped for runners and entrants for the run must be at least 13.
There will be Prizes for 1st 2nd 3rd Male/Female and for 1st O40 / O50 / O60 Male/Female.
As legend has it at The Long Woman’s grave there lies a 7ft tall Spanish beauty, of the Royal line of Spain, who was swept off her feet and fell madly in love with a local man named Lorcan O Hanlon, the youngest son of the “Cean” or Chieftain of Omeath while he was trading in the Cadiz region of Spain.
Lorcan boasted of the vast land he had back home, and as folklore goes when his Spanish bride first set foot on his mountains in Omeath she became so overwhelmed with the place that she sadly suffered a heart attack and died!! and there she lies ever since that fateful day when Lorcan's heart was broken.
To sign up go to eventmaster.ie
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Poyntzpass club, Redmond O'Hanlons GAC are not just 'talking the talk' but they are very much 'walking the walk' later this month, when 23 members of the local community embark on a wee stroll from GAA Headquarters in Dublin to O'Hanlon's ground in Poyntzpass. The 'HQ to Home' walk will see the intrepid walkers cover a total distance of around 71 miles over three days.
They plan to leave Croke Park around 7am on Friday 30 June and after leaving the city they will take the old Dublin Road (R132) through Swords, Balbriggan and Jullianstown to Drogheda where they will stay their first night. Saturday 1 July will see them take on the stretch from Drogheda to the Carrickdale and then Sunday 2 July they will be leaving from the Carrickdale to Poyntzpass around 10am. On the last day others can walk with them from the Carrickdale and some will join in Newry (just let the organisers know) with the group taking to the Newry Canal Towpath for the home stretch, and no doubt some well earned celebrations.
As these things usually are the idea was thought up over a pint by O'Hanlon's Coach and member of their Fundraising Committee, Robert O'Neill.
Michael O'Loughlin, an Inspector at Newry Bus Station, one of the hardy walkers recalls them being in Rices Hotel in The Pass on New Years Eve when O'Neill suggested the idea as a 2023 fundraiser. "I was like, there's no way I could do that" The idea snowballed and O'Neill put together a massive WhatsApp group of about 100 people and one day he announced they were going to start training.
O'Loughlin explains "It started one Sunday morning towards the end of February and whoever turned up, turned up and just did a good walk, and it sort snowballed from there. We just went walking every weekend, mostly Sundays' and then people were doing their own walks during the week."
Since then they have completed quite a few walks of 20 Miles plus with 'a few blisters here and there'. Everyone is signed up to Strava so you can see who's doing what, giving a bit of friendly competition to the challenge.
He emphasises that it's not a race, and they're just going to take their time and enjoy the experience. Whether that involves stopping for a wee quick pint or two somewhere along the way we may never know! Ever the diplomat O'Loughlin said "It's been talked about but we're not too sure."
The fundraiser has organically progressed from the Run For Raff challenges over the years in memory of Lissummon's Adrian Rafferty who died with leukaemia. Adrians sister Jacqueline also passed away this year and her partner Denis Toomey is one of the people taking part.
The fundraiser is raising money for three organisations. Leukaemia & Lymphoma NI, St. Joseph & St James Primary School and Redmond O'Hanlons.
You can donate via their GoFund Me page at www.gofundme.com
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As we progress into the third round of the English Derby at Towcester on Saturday night, the Matthews Family have four runners.
1) Undulation 7.48 Trap 2 Heat 6 5/2
2) As I say 7.48pm Trap 3 Heat 6 12/1
3) Savanna Hero 6.50pm Trap 6 Heat 3 12/1
4) Burj Khalifa 8.05pm Trap 6 Heat 7 14/1
After a game performance from all 4 greyhounds last week finishing second in their respective heats, the Team in Townview are quietly confident of big runs from their contingent, irrespective of their odds. Brendan ‘The Maestro’ Matthews is renowned for beating the bookies and we wish them the best of luck this Saturday as they make the journey from Newry to Towcester.
Reminder you can watch all the action live on SKY: 427 or online at sportystuff.tv
Fact of the week
The Irish Greyhound racing industry provides and supports considerable employment both directly and indirectly across the Irish economy. It is estimated that in 2019 the industry supported 4,150 full-time and part-time jobs in the economy. In addition, there are 6,211 active greyhound owners. The total number of people deriving economic benefit from the greyhound sector is estimated at 10,361. The greyhound racing industry is an important part of the social and economic fabric of rural Ireland. It is an important "way of life" for greyhound owners around the country. For stakeholders in the sector, it is an important economic and social activity.
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A Warrenpoint man is aiming to complete this years Dublin Marathon in under four hours for a local charity close to his heart! Christopher Patterson is running the race in aid of the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust. He had planned to run for them a few years back but unfortunately covid cancelled the events for a few years. This time round he was one of the lucky ones to receive a lottery place in this years highly sought after Dublin Marathon.
Patterson explains "As someone who has travelled and lived abroad myself I appreciate the work the charity do. I’ve friends and family living abroad and God forbid if something happened one of them I know the Kevin Bell Trust would act instantly in taking them back to Ireland.
He adds "They played a vital role in bringing home loved ones of friends of mine and people I know over the years. My partners family also bought me the jersey a few years back as a present so I said once the world got back to normal after the pandemic I was running a marathon in aid of the KBRT."
He wants to raise as much funds as possible, while hitting a sub 4 hour marathon. Patterson adds " This will be my 11th marathon and I’m determined to break the wall and finally hit a sub 4 finish.."
You can support him in his endeavour via www.justgiving.com
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Rathfriland Tennis Club is hosting an Open Day at the newly refurbished tennis courts at Rathfriland High School, off Newry Street, on Saturday 24 June, to kick start their club season.
Starting at 11am and continuing to 3pm, local residents can drop in for a free tennis taster session with Club Coach Christian Lewis and find out more about the club and the coaching sessions planned for the summer.
Tennis Club Chair Catherine Cummings extends a welcome to all "After our winter break, we are excited to get back on court for the 2023 season. The courts at Rathfriland High School have recently been refinished with a new playing surface and extended space at the back of the courts, so with the warmer weather we’ve had, now is the time to enjoy tennis, whatever your age and ability. Our club members have been enjoying playing on the new surface and layout of courts, it has been great to be back.
"At our Open Day, we will have some coaching drills and information on upcoming coaching sessions for kids, adults, and seniors. You don't need to have any experience of playing tennis before. We will have some equipment on hand, so just drop in and say hi and we'd be delighted to see you. Coaching for children starts from the age of 4 and there is no upper age limit to when adults can play.
"We have worked closely with Rathfriland High School and the principal to extend our club times in the incoming months. Club membership is available for individuals as well as families. It is a great way to get and stay fit and can be played by all ages.
"The health benefits of tennis are many - from increasing aerobic capacities to lowering heart rate and blood pressure, it can also increase bone density. As a social sport, you play with other people and get to chat - tennis can help boost your mood and your mental health and wellbeing as well as improving your physical health.
"We look forward to welcoming you to the open day on Saturday 24th June for some fun and refreshments - we might even have some strawberries and cream on the go! See you then!"
For more information visit the club page on Facebook.
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