Irish Hurlers In US Showcase | |
18 October 2013 Irish hurlers from Munster and Leinster have set off for the US to compete in the GAA / GPA Celtic Champions Classic 11-a-side hurling tournament in the famous University of Notre Dame on Saturday 19 October 2013. The group is headed by Uachtaran Chumann Luthchleas Gael Liam O Neill and GPA chairman Donal Og Cusack, who has been involved in the development of the goals-only hurling format which is played on a shorter pitch and using the newly-designed yellow sliotar. The teams will play a short-form of hurling called Super Hurling 11s which is designed to showcase the game to a new audience in the US. Over 100,000 spectators due on the University campus for the Fighting Irish College football clash with arch rivals USC Trojans. The huge attendance presents a wonderful opportunity to promote hurling abroad. The Munster panel, which will represent the University’s ‘Fighting Irish’ in the showcase game, is managed by Donal O’Grady and Tom Barry. The squad has a backbone of Limerick players with All-Star nominees Tom Condon, Wayne McNamara, Gavin O’Mahony, James Ryan and Graeme Mulcahy all included. Shinty / Hurling fans will recognise Tipperary pair Eoin Kelly and Patrick Mayer as well as Limerick’s Declan Hannon who starred for the Irish U21s. Leinster are managed by Kilkenny’s Martin Fogarty and Galway’s Mattie Kenny and they will represent ‘Ireland’. Their line-up includes Kilkenny aces Jackie Tyrrell, Tommy Walsh as well as Antrim’s Neil McManus and Shane Dooley from Offaly – all of whom are both familiar to Shinty / Hurling fans. A Kilkenny quartet is made up by JJ Delaney and Richie Hogan whilst All-Star hopeful Liam Rushe of Dublin is also included. The Leinster squad will be hoping to reverse their previous Super Hurling 11s defeat to their Munster rivals in the recent Aer Lingus / Etihad International Hurling Festival. Galway hurling referees Alan Kelly and Christopher Browne will officiate at the game. The travelling parties departed from Chicago on Thursday 17 October 2013 where they will train in Gaelic Park before being honoured at a reception in the city hosted by the Irish Consulate. The players arrival on the South Bend campus on Friday 18 October 2013 where they will visit two schools as part of Notre Dame’s ‘Play Like a Champion’ programme. The ancient roots of hurling and lacrosse will be celebrated with the visiting hurlers engage with the Notre Dame Lacrosse squad while the hurlers will also be presented at the famous ‘Pep Rally’ on front of 10,000 Fighting Irish fans as they prepare for Saturday’s big game. The Celtic Champions Classic, which has been warmly embraced by the Notre Dame sporting community, will take place in the Arlotta Stadium during the build-up to Saturday evening’s football game and will be central to the game-day itinerary and tailgate activity. The event will also assist the GAA’s plan to increase hurling and gaelic football coverage in what is a huge US television market by attracting one of the major US TV networks. Munster (Fighting Irish) 1. Nickie Quaid (Limerick) Leinster (Ireland) 1. James Skehill (Galway) |