LIMERICK Olympian Róisín Upton won her 100th Irish cap when she played a major role in a 2-1 victory against Italy in their second pool match in the Women’s FIH Hockey Nations Cup in Valencia last Monday.
Competing internationally for Ireland since 2016, a silver medalist at the World Cup in 2018 and a member of the first women’s hockey team to compete in the Tokyo 2020 Games, the Janesboro woman also won the Irish Senior Cup with Catholic Institute last May.
Paying tribute to the Limerick woman’s contribution to the Irish team, Coach Sean Dancer described her as one of its key players.
“Winning 100 caps is a wonderful milestone and I hope she has a lot more”.
Róisín represented Ireland at the Youth Olympics in 2010 and was Irish Youth Player of the Year in 2011. She won a USA college Div 1 title with the University of Connecticut Huskies. Her Ireland senior career was initially badly disrupted by injury but she was central to Ireland’s silver at 2018 World Cup and their Olympic journey, as a sweeper and scorer, including spectacular goal in shoot-out against Canada.
Having earned a primary degree in Psychology and a Masters in Education, Róisín currently works as a primary school teacher and has her sights firmly set on an Olympic medal.
GAA:
LIMERICK GAA secretary Mike O’Riordan has recommended that stiles remain cash-free in club matches.
Club gate receipts in Limerick for 2022 topped a remarkable €1 million, the highest on record. The Senior Hurling Final involving Na Piarsaigh and Kilmallock netted the largest single fixture return, close on €40,000.
Admission to local games become cashless during the pandemic. This is likely to remain in place for the foreseeable future.
In his Annual Report, O’Riordan said: “Again, this year the county utilised the Ticketmaster ticketing system with online sales only”.
“We understand this creates a difficulty for some patrons which we hope to alleviate for the coming season with tap and go at the grounds for the bigger games and the reintroduction of season tickets.”
GREYHOUNDS:
THE re-arranged €60,000 Matchbook Betting Exchange Irish St Leger Final of 2022 will have a novel (and real Christmas) feel to it this year, as the programme will be staged at Greenpark Stadium next Sunday night (December 25), opening race 6.30pm.
Limerick was due to hold the season-ending Classic at the weekend, but hard frost forced its cancellation.
“We gave ourselves a chance by covering the track, salting it and the like, but ultimately the weather proved too much of an obstacle,” commented Limerick Racing Manager Jody Thompson to the Limerick Post. “The decision to call off the meeting was taken early in the day, so as to inform those travelling a distance to the final.”
First-held in 1932 at Celtic Park (Belfast), this season-ending Classic has been held in Limerick continuously for over 80 years. The great majority of those finals were staged at the Markets Field, but since 2010 the showpiece has been run at Greenpark.
AWARDS:
LIMERICK’S John Kiely faces stiff opposition to be named 2022 RTÉ Manager of the Year, which will be announced during a live awards programme on Saturday night next.
Kiely (50) has won this prized accolade previously, but this time around would appear to have tougher opposition in the likes of Republic of Ireland manager Vera Pauw, Racing’s Willie Mullins, Irish rugby boss Andy Farrell, and Kerry football supremo Jack O’Connor.
During his time with Limerick, the famed son of Galbally has led the county to the promised land on a remarkable four occasions.
The national broadcaster will also announce its Team/Sportsperson/Young Sportsperson of the Year 2022 at the weekend.
RUGBY:
NEWCASTLE West entertain holders Clogher Valley from Tyrone in the semi-final of the Energia All-Ireland Junior League at Cullinagh on Saturday next, kick-off 2.30pm.
It’s a repeat encounter from last season, but this time around the Limerick side will have home advantage.
In the quarter-final, Newcastle West registered a stunning 26-24 win at Ballyclare, with Eoin O’Halloran contributing a couple of tries.
Enniskillen home to Monkstown is the other semi-final at the weekend, with the final listed for late January.
