Irish sports stars swap codes for padel in Limerick charity battle

Some of Ireland’s top sports stars put their “padel” to the metal last night in Limerick, trading their usual sports arenas for the courts of Padel LK and raising funds for The Irish Heart Foundation and the Matt Hampson Foundation at the official charity exhibition match of the inaugural Hiscox Padel Irish Open.

The charity exhibition match featured a stellar line-up of Irish sporting talent, with boxer Lee Reeves, Limerick hurler Shane O’Brien, Munster Rugby players Shane Daly and Dan Kelly, Irish rugby international Eimear Considine, and her sister Ailish Considine, a dual star of Clare GAA and Aussie Rules, all taking to the padel courts at Padel LK in Limerick.

After an evening of lively rallies and friendly rivalry, Munster Rugby duo Shane Daly and Dan Kelly emerged victorious, claiming the top spot and taking home €1,500 for their chosen charities, The Irish Heart Foundation and The Matt Hampson Foundation.

The charity event served as the perfect warm-up for the Hiscox Padel Irish Open which is bringing world-class padel to Ireland for the very first time this week.

The special event marked the start of a landmark week for Irish padel, with sponsors and media treated to a night of competition and fundraising ahead of the Cupra International Padel Federation’s event in Ireland this week. Being held at the same venue, the Hiscox Padel Irish Open kicks off today [Wednesday 12 November] and runs until Sunday 16 November.

Men’s qualifiers run today and tomorrow, followed by the women’s qualifiers and the main draw from Friday to Sunday (November 14 to 16). It has attracted top-tier international players alongside Ireland’s best talent.

Organised by ForeFront Sports and the Padel Federation of Ireland in partnership with Padel LK, the Hiscox Padel Irish Open represents a major milestone for the sport, drawing top international talent and putting Limerick on the global padel map, said Cian Branagan, CEO of ForeFront Group.

“The Hiscox Padel Irish Open this week is about competition and also community. Last night’s charity match captured that spirit perfectly. The atmosphere was incredible, and it’s only going to build from here as the event unfolds this week,” he said.

Richard O’Dwyer, Managing Director of Hiscox Ireland said it was great to see such huge support for Padel from participants in so many other established sports, adding that Hiscox was incredibly proud to be the title sponsor of the inaugural Hiscox Padel Irish Open.

“This partnership marks an exciting moment not just for the sport, but for the wider community of players, fans, and organisers driving its momentum. We look forward to seeing the energy and enthusiasm this event brings to Limerick this week and after and to the growing padel scene in Ireland.

“We’re passionate about supporting innovation and ambition at Hiscox and the values that the growing sport of padel embodies,” he said.

For full tournament details and ticket information, visit padelirishopen.ie.