Tipp hurling star to visit Athlone for Southern Gaels launch next week

  Tipperary hurling star Patrick 'Bonner' Maher is to visit Athlone next Tuesday to launch the Southern Gaels juvenile hurling programme for 2013. The launch will take place in the St Aloysius College school gym on Deerpark Road, Athlone, on Tuesday, January 22 from 6.00 to 7.00. Maher will meet the young hurlers aged from 6-10 who play with the Southern Gaels club. It will be a great thrill for local youngsters to meet one of the best young hurlers in the country who has already won U21 and senior All-Ireland titles with Tipperary. Patrick was a member of the Tipperary team which won the All-Ireland senior title in 2010, thereby preventing age old rivals Kilkenny from completing an unprecedented five-in-a-row. Less than a week after that famous triumph, Maher was a key figure on the Tipp U21 team which captured the All-Ireland title by defeating Galway in the final. An All Star nominee, Patrick was the Munster senior hurling player of the year in 2012. Anyone interested in meeting 'Bonner' Maher is invited to come along next Tuesday, January 22. Southern Gaels, Athlone's only hurling club, is launching an ambitious programme for 2013 and will cater for hurlers from six years of age right up to minor (under-18) level. They also field at Junior level for adults. Anyone interested in getting involved in hurling as a player or mentor can contact Southern Gaels by ringing the club chairman at 087 7989941. The Southern Gaels U6s and U12s train on Wednesdays from 6.00 to 7.00, while the U8s and U10s train on Tuesdays from 6.00 to 7.00. All groups also train from 3.00 to 4.00 on Saturdays. All training is in the St. Aloysius gym on Deerpark Road, Athlone. Meanwhile, U14s, U16s, U18s and Juniors will commence training in early February.