Tue, 01 Apr 2008 18:48:00 IST
GAA Stars Launch 2008 FBD All-Ireland Golf Challenge
The 2008 FBD All-Ireland Golf Challenge was officially launched today at Carton House, Maynooth, Co. Kildare. Current GAA stars and all-time legends were on hand to tee off the competition, which is now in its ninth year and allows GAA clubs from across Ireland and abroad to compete for an All-Ireland title on a completely level par, without restrictions.
A host of GAA celebrities, including current stars Steven McDonnell (Armagh), Eddie Brennan (Kilkenny), Paul Flynn (Waterford) and Joe Canning (Galway), battled it out in a four-ball competition at Carton House to mark the launch of this year’s contest. The FBD All-Ireland Golf Challenge is carried out along the same format as the All-Ireland Championships.
Initial rounds see over 120 GAA Clubs challenging each other for provincial success and, ultimately, an all expenses paid place in the final at the exclusive Faithlegg Golf Club, Co. Waterford in September. The competition has recently been extended to take in the US and has generated huge interest in GAA circles in New York and Chicago.
Speaking at today’s launch, Adrian Taheny, Director- Marketing and Sales, FBD Insurance said, “FBD is delighted to sponsor this unique and exciting competition once again this year. Its main appeal lies in the level playing field it offers to GAA Clubs from Ireland and abroad, which might not otherwise be in the running for an All-Ireland achievement.
“For the first time 2007 produced a winner from outside Ireland and, with another impressive list of teams set to enter this Summer, the FBD All-Ireland GAA Golf Challenge has become a key fixture in the GAA calendar.�
Last year, Waterford GAA Club of New York became the first overseas winners of the competition. They beat the 2006 champions, St. Brigid’s of Dublin in the final by just one point to take the perpetual Waterford Crystal Dunhill Trophy and a share of All-Ireland glory home to the Big Apple.
Organised in partnership with Dunhill GAA Club, Co. Waterford, the FBD All-Ireland GAA Golf Challenge is open to all GAA Clubs who enter teams selected from their 2007 members. The competition is run as a four ball better ball format – ¾ handicap and events take place throughout June, July and August before the final in September. Both men and women are invited to compete, with the handicap limit set at 20 for men and 28 ladies.
2008 Key Competition Dates:
Munster - Final
Dundrum Golf Club, Dundrum, Co. Tipperary
Friday, July 11, 2008
Ulster - Final
Killymoon Golf Club, Cookstown, Co. Tyrone
Friday, July 18, 2008
Leinster - Final
Royal Tara Golf Club, Navan, Co. Meath
Friday, August 1, 2008
Connacht - Final
Claremorris Golf Club, Claremorris, Co. Mayo
Friday, August 8, 2008
New York - Final
The Links at Union Vale, New York
Friday, May 2, 2008
Chicago - Final
July, 2008
All Ireland - Final
Faithlegg House Hotel and Golf Club, Co. Waterford
September 13 &14, 2008