Jim Byrne Cup to celebrate its 50th

NEXT YEAR will be a special one for the Jim Byrne Cup Minor football competition as it will be celebrating its 50th anniversary when it commences in January, 2017. And to mark this momentous achievement, the committee has decided that each club that enters will receive a special edition Jim Byrne Cup 50th anniversary O’Neill’s size 5 football.

In addition, the winners will receive a training trip to the Gold Coast Hotel and Resort near Dungarvan which boasts an on-site G.A.A. training facility including a full-sized pitch.

As part of their prize the winners will also receive a coaching session from a top inter-county coach.

The winners of the subsidiary O’Loughlin Cup and Martin Cullen Cup will receive €500 towards training gear, while both runners-up will be presented with €150 towards training gear. The runners-up in the Jim Byrne Cup will also receive €500 towards training gear.

It is also planned to have an event to mark the 50th anniversary where representatives from all previous winners will be invited.

Entries are now invited from all clubs, and the closing date is December 9. Clubs entering are to forward the entry fee of €25 to Fintan Whyte, Grange, Campile, Co. Wexford. It is intended to start the competition on Sunday, January 8, 2017. Any queries should be directed to the competition Secretary, Fintan Whyte, on 087-6840373, or Chairman Shay Keevans (086-2364942).

Many stalwarts of the Jim Byrne Cup are sadly no longer with us, notably the founder Seamus Keevans as well as his great friends, Jim Ferguson and Davy Nolan.

It would be a fitting tribute to these men if all clubs with Minor football teams entered to ensure that the 50th anniversary event is the best ever.