TREATY United begin the new SSE Airtricty First Division season with a visit from Bray Wanderers to the Markets Field this Friday night (kick-off 7.45pm).
With the emigration of a sorely-missed Jack Lynch, Marc Ludden has stepped up into the role of captain. One of the first signings at the club’s formation back in 2021, Ludden is extremely popular with the ever-increasing Treaty fanbase.
Ludden has racked up 65 club appearances in his time so far with Treaty, during which he netted seven times, along with providing 17 assists.
Ludden has previously been named on the PFAI First Division Team of the Year.
Elsewhere, there was advancement for Ballynanty Rovers into the last eight of the FAI Junior Cup at the weekend, courtesy of a merited 1-0 win at Old County FC (Dublin).
The game’s only goal came from a header by Aidan Hurley on the hour mark, after a lovely through ball from the influential James Fitzgerald.
In the shock of the round, Fairview Rangers lost 2-1 (AET) away to Gorey Rangers, Wexford.
Pike Rovers, meanwhile, have opened up a four-point lead at the top of the Premier League after a 3-0 home victory over Nenagh.
RUGBY:
THERE’S a live possibility of an all-Limerick Munster Senior Schools’ Cup Final, with both remaining local representatives paired in opposite semi-finals.
Holders Crescent College Comprehensive (12 titles) meet Christian Brothers Cork (31) in the opening semi-final on Tuesday next, with the other semi involving St Munchin’s College (5) and Presentation Brothers Cork (30) listed for the following afternoon. Both lunch-time fixtures will be hosted at Cork’s Musgrave Park.
Crescent booked their final four spot courtesy of a hard-earned 23-18 quarter-final defeat of Árdscoil Rís at Thomond Park, while St Munchin’s qualified straight from the group stages into the semi-finals.
GAELIC GAMES:
LIMERICK has experienced a slight increase in the number of team registrations from the pre-Covid year of 2019.
A total of 936 teams were signed up four years ago, but this number has risen to 975 last year, marking an increase of around 4 per cent.
This is in sharp contrast with many other counties, with Clare teams down 20 percent and Kerry down by 25 per cent.
Limerick has the sixth most team registrations in the country, obviously behind more populated counties like Dublin and Cork.
Meanwhile, under the new Croke Park Coaching Funding Model, Limerick’s allocation for 2023 is expected to be increased, while in traditionally better funded counties like Dublin there will be a decrease in such financial support.
Limerick has an annual salary spend of around €600,000, spread across its 40 full and part-time coaching and games staff.
On Monday, Munster GAA announced its intention to recruit 20 new Games Development Officers to be spread across the province.
MOTORBIKE RACING:
James Chawke, a past winner of the Junior Manx Grand Prix at the Isle of Man TT course, and Liam Chawke of Chawkie Racing will launch their 2023 season at Mann’s Hotel, Rathkeale, on Saturday next (doors from 8pm).
The night will feature guest speaker Steve Davison, noted photographer and journalist, who has been covering the sport for over 30 years. Davison will host a presentation on the sport and later chair a panel discussion on the year ahead.
