Sciath Na Scol Set For Irish Independent Park
18th May 2015 By Munster Rugby
Irish Independent Park will play host to Gaelic games for the first time this summer with a number of the annual Allianz Sciath na Scol Hurling and Camogie Finals to be played at Munster Rugby’s Cork home.
Sciath na Scol is a schools based organisation which organises Gaelic games in the primary schools of Cork city and county. There are over 400 schools affiliated in the various codes, catering for 7,000 children annually.
The event represents a huge week of Primary School GAA activities with over 1,400 children playing and 109 teachers directly involved with the children. This year 26 finals will be spread over three brand new venues – Irish Independent Park, CIT and Nemo Rangers GAA Club.
Munster completed their regular season games at the recently refurbished venue with Saturday’s 50-27 win over the Newport Gwent Dragons – Munster unbeaten in Cork this season – and the break in the stadium’s rugby calendar will see it host the Sciath na Scol Finals later this month followed by an open air concert with Katherine Jenkins & Jose Carreras on June 20th.
The finals take place from Monday 25th to Friday 29th May with Irish Independent Park hosting games from Monday through to Wednesday starting at 10:30am each morning.
Speaking about today’s announcement, Munster Rugby CEO Garrett Fitzgerald said, “We are delighted to welcome the Sciath na Scol Hurling and Camogie Finals to Irish Independent Park. Cork has a fine tradition across many different sporting pursuits I am delighted that Munster and Sciath na Scol can work in tandem in hosting what I know will be another successful and enjoyable event for students, teachers and fans alike. We wish all those playing, coaching and supporting the very best of luck.
“Following a significant investment by Munster Rugby in upgrading our Cork facility, and with the conclusion of our Munster games in Cork this season, we’re pleased that the summer at Irish Independent Park will be busy and diverse in nature with the hurling and camogie finals, and the staging of Katherine Jenkins and Jose Carreras a number of weeks later.”
Séamus O'Connor, PRO Sciath na Scol Chorcaí added, “Coiste Sciath na Scol is delighted that Munster Rugby has made Irish Independent Park available to our teachers and their pupils as well as their entire school communities. The magnificent new facilities guarantee both access for pupils with special needs as well as a safe environment for everyone to watch their school-mates who are representing them. Also, the children who are lucky enough to be playing will benefit from testing their skills on a world class playing surface.
“We want to thank everyone at Irish Independent Park for the warm welcome we have received."
