This article is from page 70 of the 2008-08-05 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 70 JPG
BEACH goers in Kilkee will have the opportunity to sample a unique rugby event that goes ahead on the sand in front of the Strand Hotel this Saturday.
Organised by the Limerick Lep- rechauns – made up of former play- ers from the Clare, Limerick, north Kerry and Tipperary regions – all proceeds from the beach game will go to the Clare Sunset Foundation, which provides assistance to almost 100 sight impaired people across Oe
As has become tradition, the game will also usher in the new rugby sea- son in Munster.
“This will be our 25th year in ex- istence,” said president Vinny Ryan. “The Leprechauns bring together players from rugby clubs throughout the mid-west and gives players an Opportunity to extend their playing careers as well as the chance to raise funds for charities in the area.
“Essentially, those are the twin reasons why the club was first es- tablished. And the Kilkee game will
mark a major watershed in our his- tory as it’s going to herald the first game in our quarter of a century year of celebration.”
On the day, members of the char- ity rugby club will walk the beach in order to provide an opportunity for members of the public to provide funds. Afterwards, a barbecue will
take place at Scott’s Bar in Kilkee.
“It promises to be a great day out,” said committee member Packie Dur- kan. “The rules of the game are gov- erned by the IRB and come under the veterans rules. All those taking part will be over 35 years-of-age and the eldest member we have is actually 74. So we’re an eclectic bunch.”
The Clare Sunset Foundation has a membership of 96 at present and the organisation arranges trips to Lourdes for those whose vision 1s impaired.
This week, the Leprechauns also announced that they have just signed a three-year sponsorship deal with Shannon Precision which is set to ensure a strong foundation for their endeavours up to 2011.
To date, the club has raised just short of €1 million with every cent ploughed back into local charities. Last season they raised in excess of €75,000 and with the new season about to unfold, the plan is to match that fundraising figure.
It all begins in Kilkee this Saturday at 3pm.
For further information on the Clare Sunset Foundation contact 065 6824875 and to get in contact with the Limerick Leprechauns visit www.limerickleprechauns.com