News Release -
Shannon Development Announce €20 million boost for Limerick with launch of Inaugural Limerick International Sevens
Shannon Development are delighted to announce the launch of the inaugural Limerick International Sevens Tournament (LIST) that will see clubs from England, Scotland, Wales, France, Canada , Australia and Ireland taking part in a festival of Rugby Union and Rugby League in Easter 2009 from April 10th – 12th. Limerick has long being known as the spiritual home of Irish Rugby and with the new 26,000 capacity Thomond Park Stadium as its centrepiece the Limerick International Sevens offers touring clubs a fantastic opportunity to sample the passion of Limerick rugby in a competitive and social environment. The Limerick International Sevens Tournament was initiated by Shannon Development as part of their sports tourism strategy and will take place for an initial five year period during which over 12,000 players will take part in an event that will be worth €20 million to the region.
Speaking at the announcement, John King, Tourism & Heritage Director, Shannon Development said, “The development of sports tourism is an integral part of Shannon Development’s tourism strategy. Identifying and securing key mobile tourism events has been central to our work over the past number of years and we are delighted to have initiated this new International Rugby Sevens Tournament, which is unique in the fact that it is a cross code rugby tournament involving union and league clubs. We are delighted to be bringing this event to Limerick with it proud sporting tradition, and we are confident that it will build on the success of the All Ireland Corporate Games. These two high profile events will between them generate an estimated €50 million and provide a major boost for the economy of the Limerick area over the next five years, benefiting the tourism and hospitality sectors including accommodation providers, bars, restaurants and visitor attractions. We are particularly pleased that local rugby clubs in Limerick will also benefit financially from the Rugby Sevens event by hosting each of the individual divisions.”
Speaking at the launch, Mayor of Limerick Cllr John Gilligan, said, “I’m delighted that Shannon Development has secured this major rugby festival for Limerick. Our passion for the game here is world renowned and it’s wonderful that touring clubs can sample that atmosphere while enjoying everything that Limerick has to offer. I particularly welcome the contribution that the event will bring to Limerick rugby clubs and to the local economy which is set to benefit to the tune of €20m.”
The LIST is set to become an annual Easter date for touring clubs and will feature clubs from Ireland, France, England, Wales, Scotland & Australia and will have six divisions Senior Men’s 7s, Veteran Men’s 7’s, Ladies 7s, U-21 Men’s 7s and Rugby League 9’s Men’s and Ladies. Each division will be held in one of six venues around Limerick namely the famous Shannon, Garryowen, Old Crescent and UL Bohemians clubs in addition to the Limerick Institute of Technology and University of Limerick. The venues for the finals on Sunday is yet to be confirmed and will be dependant on Munster’s Heineken Cup commitments, the condition of the playing surfaces and local rugby fixtures . Thomond Park Stadium will act as the focal point of the weekend in any case with each club registering on the Friday evening and further social events taking place within the stadium throughout the weekend. Should Munster secure a home quarter final appearance, the buzz and atmosphere around Limerick will be something not to be missed and act as perfect complement to a weekend of quality rugby.
Speaking at the launch Marcus Buckley Bennion, Tournament Organiser, said, “The appeal to any Welshman, Scotsman or Englishman not to mention fellow Irishmen to represent their own club in one of the world’s most famous rugby city is enormous. Add in the fact that we will be catering for both rugby union and rugby league and the Limerick International Sevens has the potential to draw participants from a very wide pool. We are delighted that Ed Daly, Munster Rugby Development Officer has agreed to come on board as Tournament Director and his experience and knowledge of the game will ensure that the event will be a success on the pitch. Munster’s European Cup commitments allowing, the opportunity to host the final stages of each of the six sections in Thomond Park Stadium offers every team an unbelievable incentive to take part in what promises to be a memorable event.”
The 2009 Limerick International Sevens Tournament will see over 1,500 players take part in what will become an annual Easter trek to the spiritual home of Irish Rugby. The tournament is open to all accredited rugby union and rugby league clubs and there is no limit to the number of sides each club can be represented by. The event is being promoted by Ubique Event Management who are responsible for the highly successful All Ireland Corporate Games which are taking place in Limerick for the next 4 years. Clubs who are interested in securing an early spot in what promises to be a sold out tournament can contact Ed Daly, Tournament Director, the Limerick International Sevens Tournament on 00352 (0)61 748 125 or by clicking on www.limerick7s.com
The Limerick International Sevens Tournament was initiated by Shannon Development s part of their sports tourism development strategy and is endorsed by Rugby League Ireland, the Limerick Coordination Office and Sporting Limerick. The Tournament Director will be Ed Daly, Munster Rugby Development Officer and Assistant Tournament Director will be Brigid Ryan, Munster Rugby Women’s Development Officer. The local steering committee also includes Eoghan Prendergast, Shannon Development/Garryowen RFC, Laura Ryan, Limerick Co-Ordination Office, Donn O’Sullivan, Limerick Post/UL Bohs RFC, Kieran O’Brien, Sporting Limerick and Barrie Collins, OB Sport. The Limerick Marriott Hotel is an Associate Sponsor of the event and details of further sponsors will be announced at a later date
Attending the launch in Thomond Park were: John King, Tourism Director, Shannon Development, Eoghan Prendergast, Regional development manager, Shannon Development, Limerick; Eleanor Fitzgerald, model; Mayor John Gilligan ; Marcus Buckley Bennion, tournament organiser and Pat Daly, Manager, Tourism Marketing, Shannon Development .
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