THE GAA HAVE confirmed that the new Tier II hurling competition created at the recent Special Congress will take on the name Corn Seosamh Mhic Dhonnacha (The Joe McDonagh Cup).
The competition, which will be contested for the first time next year, has been established to facilitate those counties striving to compete at Liam MacCarthy Cup level.
Carlow, Laois, Meath, Westmeath, Kerry and Antrim are the counties that will be competing in 2018. It will run from May until early July.
Former GAA President Joe McDonagh, who died in May 2016, was one of the most respected figures within the GAA.
An All-Ireland winning hurler with Galway in 1980, McDonagh gave a memorable rendition of ‘The West’s Awake’ in Croke Park after the victory over Limerick ended their 57-year wait for the Liam MacCarthy Cup. He won an All-Star award in 1976.
He had a deep love for the Irish language and culture, serving in a variety of administrative positions in the GAA both before and after his tenure as President (1997-2000).
He was also a keen supporter of the growth of Gaelic games overseas.
The decision to honour the former President was confirmed at last weekend’s meeting of the GAA’s Central Council.
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