Excitement mounts as Offaly senior hurling final returns to Birr after long absence

A VERY special occasion is certain to emerge as the Offaly Senior Hurling Championship final returns to Birr on Sunday next for the first time since 2006.

The long time venue for Offaly senior hurling finals, they have been played in O'Connor Park in Tullamore since then after pitch work closed St Brendan's Park. If it ends in a draw, the replay will take place in O'Connor Park on the weekend of October 28-29.

The decision to play this year's final in St Brendan's Park was taken at a County Board meeting last year and it will see a renewal between Shinrone and Kilcormac-Killoughey.

Last year, Shinrone staged a sensational second half display to surprise Kilcormac-Killoughey and they have been clearly the best two teams in this year's championship. Both have improved from last year but this time Shinrone are the favourites as they have displayed the confidence and maturity of champions.

Located in the heartland of Offaly hurling, St Brendan's Park occupies a special place in the heart of GAA supporters in the county. It was first used in 1928 when it hosted an Leinster minor hurling game between Offaly and Laois – Birr was also the venue for the first ever All-Ireland senior hurling final, the 1887 meeting between Tipperary and Galway which was played on Easter Sunday 1888 on the site of the nearby Tesco supermarket.

Previously known as Dooly's Field, Birr GAA purchased it in the mid 1920s and developed St Brendan's Park. It has hosted several All-Ireland senior hurling semi-finals, an All-Ireland club hurling final and other big games. It was upgraded a number of times with a new pavilion and dressing rooms opened by GAA president Michael Kehoe in 1956. Noting that the ground had been a “marshy swamp” before Birr GAA brought it in 1928, the Offaly Chronicle saluted Birr GAA for the terrific work they had achieved in developing a top class playing field in 1956.

A new stand was officially opened in 1999 and while the ground has hosted the vast majority of Offaly hurling finals since 1928, there were times when they went to O'Connor Park, before the modern era – usually after disputes between competing clubs over the venue for a final with County Board votes deciding the matter.

The ground is cherished by all Offaly GAA supporters and has hosted Offaly's great hurling teams. Birr GAA Club have been making a terrific effort to ensure that the final is hosted to perfection on Sunday, working on warm up areas, the pitch and all ancillary facilities.

They have organised a number of big events around it as they turn it into a massive occasion and celebration.

Ferbane historian Aidan Doyle will give a talk on Sean Robbins in the County Arms Hotel on Friday at 8pm – A former chairman of the County Board and Leinster Council, Robbins was instrumental in the development of St Brendan's Park in the 1920s. A native of Clara, he spent most of his life in Birr and the cup for Sunday is named for him. The event will also feature an interview with Br Denis Minehane – a Cork naticve pivotal to Offaly's emergence in hurling. This is free of charge.

On Saturday evening, Birr GAA are hosting a reunion of their teams that won the All-Ireland club senior hurling titles in 1995 and 1998 with several high profile guests in the County Arms Hotel - Dunloy and Antrim legend Gary O’Kane is a late addition to an already star studded guest list that includes Anthony Daly (Clare & Clarecastle), Dave Clarke (Limerick & Kilmallock), Michael Duignan (St Rynagh’s & Offaly) and Joe Dooley (Seir Kieran & Offaly). 

There is much more planned with local singing star Mundy providing the warm up act before the final in St Brendan's Park.

2023 also marks the Silver Jubilee of Offaly’s 1998 Liam MacCarthy Cup triumph and the members of that squad, the first team to win an All-Ireland coming through the backdoor, will be introduced to the crowd during half time.

The Liam MacCarthy Cup, in addition to the Leinster U20 Hurling Championship Cup, will be at the venu

‘Mundy’ will be performing from just after 2pm and patrons are encouraged to arrive at the venue early and to adhere to the advice of Gardaí and stewards on the approach routes.

Birr native Mundy (Edmond Enright) is certainly no stranger to Grant Heating St Brendan’s Park, having starred on underage hurling teams with the local club. He lined out on a Birr U14 Féile na nGael side in 1988 that also featured Darren Hanniffy and Simon Whelahan, two players who went on to win All-Ireland medals with their club and county. 

On the day of the final, the national anthem will be performed by another renowned Birr singer and one of Ireland's leading basses, John Molloy. John’s family are steeped in Offaly hurling lore and his late father, Paddy, was the first recipient of the Sean Robbins Cup in 1960 after he captained Drumcullen to success. 

And the finalists will gather behind the Limerick City Pipe Band for the traditional pre-match parade which is sure to add to the excitement of what is always a great occasion. 

A huge voluntary effort has gone on behind the scenes over the past number of months in preparation for the return of Offaly’s showpiece hurling final.

Tickets for the 2023 Molloy Environmental Systems Offaly senior hurling championship final between Shinrone and Kilcormac/Killoughey at Grant Heating St Brendan’s Park, Birr can be purchased via the Offaly GAA website. 

Tickets are also available to buy in the following shops: Buckley’s SuperValu, Birr; Bernie’s SuperValu, Roscrea; Sexton’s SuperValu, Banagher; McLoughlin’s SuperValu, Portarlington; Scally’s Centra, Tullamore; Leavy’s Centra, Tullamore; Baggott’s Centra, Clara; Mangan’s Centra, Edenderry.

The cost of tickets is €20 for adults; €10 for OAPs and Students (who may be asked for identification at the turnstiles) and U16s are free. No cash will be accepted at the venue.