Salthill gearing up for annual staging of the John Joyce Memorial Sevens

SALTHILL-Knocknacarra GAA Club this week launched its annual John Joyce Memorial Sevens which will be held at Arus Bóthar na Trá on St. Stephen’s Day, Thursday, December 26.

This is the 15th consecutive running of the tournament held each year in honour of the former Salthill-Knocknacarra and Galway football star, who passed away on December 14, 1997, aged just 29.

A prodigious underage talent, Joyce famously captained Galway to All-Ireland minor success in 1986 alongside the likes of Kevin Walsh and Tomás Mannion. He went on to shine for both club and county at senior level in the years which immediately followed, before emigrating to London.

The ‘Sevens’ run in his honour is a major part of the club’s calendar year, offering a chance for adult footballers of all abilities to gather and celebrate the life of a club great. Supermac’s, Salthill has long sponsored the event, and proprietor Anthony O’Reilly is delighted to be once more associated with the big day.

“The ‘Sevens’ is a real institution,” O’Reilly said. “John Joyce holds a special place in the club’s history, as is demonstrated by the huge numbers that tog out to honour him each year. Like all clubs, many of our members live abroad these days, and they get a real kick out of coming home for Christmas, dusting down the boots and reliving their glory days! The whole place looks forward to it.”

Food and refreshments will be provided on the day, and presentations will be made to the winning team and Player of the Tournament in Ward’s Hotel, Salthill from 5.30pm.

Players are to gather at Arus Bóthar na Trá at 10.30am – all are urged to arrive on time to ensure the event runs smoothly. Registration is €10 and includes a team t-shirt, with proceeds to charity.

If you are interested in playing contact Anthony Donelan (086 151 6501) or Niall Conroy (087 226 4823).

All updates can be found on Facebook under “SKGAA John Joyce Sevens”, on Twitter @skgaa, or at www.skgaa.ie.