The Kieran Burke Perpetual Trophy was set up in honour of one of our youngest and most enthusiastic players (who also was a Leinster mascot) Kieran Burke, who died of leukaemia in January 2004, aged six and this Sunday a festival will be held in his honour in Kirwan Park, Kilternan…
The tournament was devised by DLSP and in conjunction with the Burke family, with the inaugural tournament being held in January 2005.
Since then it has grown into the largest U-7 sporting event in the country, with last year’s tournament having over 1,000 children attending.
2013 will be the tournament’s ninth year and the huge interest in applications to date, indicate that interest from confirmed teams wanting to participate, will ensure over 800 Under-7 boy’s and girls will play on the day.
This year also sees Karl Burke (Kieran’s father), being President of De La Salle Palmerston FC and he will take great pride in welcoming all the participants to the club!
The huge success of the tournament and it’s invaluable contribution to the development of rugby at such a young age in Leinster, has seen Leinster Rugby incorporating it into their calendar and also providing their full support and services to the tournament.
A complete non-profit event, it’s concept is to enable this age group to compete in a safe event and in a sporting environment suitable for their stage of development.
Excess proceeds and donations given on the day go to the Children’s Cancer Fund at Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital in Crumlin.
Anyone involved in coaching our youngest sporting enthusiasts will appreciate – getting them running in the right direction and staying between the lines is often a breakthrough for the coaches at this age level! They also love the build-up to and participation in an event of this nature.
But there was no suitable event prior to the Kieran Burke Tournament. This event is a great chance for the teams to show their skills. It is also important as it gets coaches networking, leading to future fixtures for the young players.
The event attracts a very large crowd of players, coaches and support for the teams from the parents.
On Sunday, 17th February, DLSP FC exclusively reserves the use of their 16acre site and facilities, for what has become one of the most important events in their club calendar.
The organisers expect the tournament to run at maximum capacity in 2013 with twenty-nine clubs already registered to participate.
The tournament starts at 10am on Sunday, 17th February 2013 in DLSP FC’s home grounds at Kirwan Park in Kilternan, Co. Dublin.
Further information is available from:
David Hicks – 087 2565656 or david.hicks@themeatfactoryoutlet.com
Michael Nugent – 087 6804221 or Michael.nugent@bmw.ie
Karl Burke – 085 2536620
