After an exciting 2016 Bord Gáis Energy GAA Hurling U-21 All-Ireland Championship, it has all come down to Galway and Waterford to battle it out for the newly unveiled James Nowlan Cup. The sides will go head to head in Semple Stadium, Thurles, this Saturday, September 10 at 5pm. The game will be preceded by the clash of Meath and Wicklow in the ‘B’ championship decider at 3pm, with both games to be broadcast live on TG4.
Following disappointment at senior level this year, both teams will be in search of redemption in Thurles. Waterford ended a 22 year drought, by emerging as Munster Champions with a hard fought win over Tipperary in the final, after knocking Clare out along the way. A convincing win over Antrim then earned the Déise a well deserved place in the All-Ireland final for the first time in 24 years.
For Galway, the game represents their first appearance in an U-21 All-Ireland final since 2011. They saw off Dublin by just two points after extra time in a thrilling semi-final last month.
Speaking ahead of the upcoming final, Uachtarán Chumann Lúthchleas Gael Aogán Ó Fearghail said; “The Bord Gáis Energy GAA Hurling U-21 Championship has compelled fans all over the island of Ireland for yet another season.
“We have seen some outstanding players emerge from this championship over the years, and 2016 has been no different.
“I am particularly delighted to be here today also to unveil our new cup for this competition, which will be known as the ‘James Nowlan Cup’ in commemoration of James Nowlan, who was the GAA President in the year of the 1916 Rising and was our Honorary Life President.
James Nowlan spent his life championing all that is good about Ireland – be it our language, our native games, or our people. He was the GAA’s longest-serving President and a man worthy of the honour of having his name attached to such a prestigious trophy.
I would like to wish each team, and all involved the very best of luck in what should be two excellent games on Saturday, and a special word of thanks to Bord Gáis Energy for their continued passionate support and promotion of hurling at this grade. ”
Dave Kirwan, Managing Director at Bord Gáis Energy added; “At Bord Gáis Energy, we are extremely proud of our association with the U-21 hurling championship, so much so that we extended our partnership for our a further five years earlier this season.
“I’d like to thank all at the GAA for their support in promoting the championship, and their help in making it an integral part of the GAA calendar.”
Looking ahead to the two finals, Ger Cunningham, Sports Ambassador at Bord Gáis Energy said; “After watching these four teams throughout the championship, I believe that we have two excellent matches packed with skill, intensity and bravery to look forward to in Semple Stadium this weekend.
“We have been treated to an action-packed championship to date, and it will all come down to passion and hunger for Saturday’s matches, which will no doubt provide a fitting end to what has been an exciting championship.”
Once again supporters will be able to vote for their choice for Man of the Match in both games on Saturday using #LaochBGE on Twitter to be in with a chance to win some great prizes. The winners will be announced as part of TG4’s live coverage
Supporters in Thurles will also be in with a chance to win some great prizes on the day. There’ll be a skills challenge, face painting and much more at the Bord Gáis Energy Family Fun Zone, which will be located close to the Dome at Semple Stadium.
Bord Gáis Energy GAA Hurling
U-21 All-Ireland Championship 2016 Results & Fixtures
Bord Gáis Energy Leinster Hurling U-21 Championship:
Leinster Quarter Final 25/5/2016 Westmeath 1-11 Kilkenny 0-12
Leinster Quarter Final 25/5/2016 Carlow 1-17 Laois 1-15
Leinster Quarter Final 25/5/2016 Kildare 1-12 Offaly 5-22
Leinster Quarter Final 1/6/2016 Dublin 2-12 Wexford 1-8
Leinster Semi-Final 15/6/2016 Westmeath 1-14 Dublin 2-17
Leinster Semi-Final 22/6/2016 Carlow 1-13 Offaly 5-16
Leinster Final 6/7/2016 Dublin 2-15 Offaly 1-10
Bord Gáis Energy Munster Hurling U-21 Championship:
Munster Quarter Final 28/6/2016 Limerick 3-19 Cork 2-15
Munster Semi Final 13/7/2016 Waterford 3-23 Clare 1-11
Munster Semi-Final 14/7/2016 Tipperary 2-12 Limerick 1-13
Munster Final 27/7/2016 Waterford 2-19 Tipperary 0-15
Bord Gáis Energy Ulster Hurling U-21 Championship:
Ulster Semi-Final 20/7/2016 Down 1-18 Antrim 2-21
Ulster Semi-Final 20/7/2016 Armagh 1-10 Derry 3-19
Ulster Final 27/7/2016 Antrim 0-16 Derry 1-09
Bord Gáis Energy GAA Hurling U-21 Championship:
All Ireland Semi-Final 20/8/2016 Antrim 1-8 Waterford 5-25
All Ireland Semi-Final 20/8/2016 Dublin 0-19 Galway 0-21
‘B’ Final 10 September 2016 Meath V Mayo (LIVE TG4)
Final 10 September 2015 Galway V Waterford (LIVE TG4)
Information on the ‘James Nowlan Cup’
The Cross of Cashel trophy for the Bord Gáis Energy U-21 Hurling championship was retired last year. It has been replaced with a Silver cup, and will be presented to the winners of this year’s All-Ireland final, on Saturday September 10 in Semple Stadium.
Following discussions, it has been decided that the new trophy will be named the ‘James Nowlan Cup’ in commemoration of the 100th Anniversary of the 1916 Rising.
James Nowlan was the President of the GAA from 1901 to 1921, and saw the Association through a hugely challenging time for Irish Society.
Born in Monasterevin in Co Kildare, his father was a cooper from Kilkenny, and was an early member of the IRB, and friend of James Stephens.
Nowlan was a member of the Gaelic League, a lifelong supporter of the Irish language revival movement, and a supporter of Sinn Féin from its foundation. In 1898 he was elected an alderman of Kilkenny Corporation.
In 1900 he became the first chairman of the Leinster Council of the GAA. He was elected President of the GAA at the 1901 Congress held in September of that year, and held the position for twenty years – making him the GAA’s longest serving president.
Following the Easter Rising, Nowlan was arrested by the British in May 1916 and interned in Frongoch, Wales for a period. Retiring as Uachtarán CLG at the 1921 Congress, he was appointed Honorary Life President of the Association.
He died in 1924, and while Nowlan Park is named in his honour, the GAA nationally has never really recognised his contribution in a difficult period for the GAA.