County hurlers are looking for support for their ‘Sligo2Sligo’ fundraiser in March
SLIGO HURLING has organised a virtual fundraiser involving the county’s Senior hurling squad.
This month county hurlers are taking part in the ‘Sligo2Sligo’ challenge – they will walk, jog or run 5,000 kilometres which is the distance from Sligo GAA’s Centre of Excellence in Scarden to New York’s Gaelic Park where Sligo GAA Club play.
This initiative, which started on Monday, is being organised by Friends of Sligo Hurling, a new body that is aiming to help Sligo hurling continue its meteoric rise.
The seeds were sown in when Sligo won the Nicky Rackard Cup, then the third tier GAA Hurling All-Ireland Senior Championship, in 2008. Sligo won the Nicky Rackard Cup for a second time in 2019.
In between those Nicky Rackard Cup triumphs, Sligo competed in the Lory Meagher Cup (the fourth tier and then fifth tier GAA Hurling All-Ireland Senior Championship). Sligo contested three Lory Meagher Cup finals (2015, 2016 and 2018), winning the competition three years ago.
Sligo currently compete in the Christy Ring Cup – this year will be their second term at this level.
The county’s Senior hurlers have also become consistent in the Allianz Hurling League – last year’s Division 3B success was the third successive national hurling trophy won by Sligo. At underage level, Sligo’s U-17 hurlers won the GAA Hurling Celtic Challenge’s Michael Feery Cup in 2018. Meanwhile, in 2017 Sligo were runners-up in the Andrew O’Neill Cup, the GAA Hurling All-Ireland U-21 ‘C’ Championship.
A statement from Friends of Sligo Hurling, who are fuelling this month’s fundraiser, said: “This year we plan to build on the goodwill and enthusiasm that already exists around hurling throughout the county.”
“Sligo hurling has gone from strength to strength in recent years and we are committed to ensuring that the county remains in the upper tiers at national level for many years to come.”
The statemend added: “Maintaining and then exceeding Christy Ring Cup level of competition is part of our vision and strategy for the future.”
Funds raised from Sligo2Sligo will go towards hurling facilities, the preparation of county hurling teams and hurling equipment. Donations will also be made to North West STOP (a suicide prevention charity) and Sligo Cancer Support Centre.
To make a donation to the Sligo2Sligo fundraiser, go online to www.idonate. ie/Sligo2Sligo. As of yesterday, Wednesday, the initiative had generated €2,175.