 Teams from across the Midwest will descend upon the Circle City the first weekend of August to participate in one of the largest events of its kind in this region. The Indianapolis GAA (Gaelic Athletic Association) is holding the Indianapolis Hurling Invitational presented by the AOH Kevin Barry Division on Saturday, August 4th starting at 9am. Teams from St Louis, Chicago, Akron, Indianapolis, Tennessee, and Orlando will battle it out with the hopes of going home with the coveted Hibernian Trophy. The Indy GAA has been working in collaboration with Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard and his staff to hold the event at the World Sports Park, located at 1313 Post Rd. The event will boast two full size hurling fields as well as a third soccer pitch sized field. The event will include youth activities, prize giveaways and a hospitality tent, generously provided by the Indy Irish Fest. Claddagh Irish Pubs will also be on duty, pouring perfect pints of your favorite liquid libations. Ennis Clare, Indy’s premiere Irish band, will also be performing from 4 to 8pm. The fun doesn't stop after the championship, as the Claddagh Irish Pub, in downtown Indianapolis, will play host to an after party event, where the victory celebration will continue on into the night. Everyone's welcome! The Indy GAA encourages everyone interested to come out as it's sure to be a great time. For more information please visit indyinvitational.com. What is Hurling? Hurling is a field sport which is the national sport of Ireland. The game consists of two teams, each with 15 players; 6 forwards, 6 defensemen, 2 midfielders and a goalie. Each player carries a stick called a hurley. An average hurley is roughly three feet long with a slender handle that widens at the end to a maximum width of six inches. The hurley is used to advance the ball up and down the field to score as well as for blocking and defense. Scoring is accomplished in one of two ways. A goal, three points, is scored by hitting the sliotar under the crossbar and into the net. A point is scored by striking the ball through the uprights of the goal. Hurling is a fairly physical sport. Players are not allowed to push or pull other players but shoulder-to- shoulder contact, called tackling, is permitted. Since the field is so large, fitness is a primary goal for all players. Being able to strike the ball from both your right and left sides is also a skill that is honed in practice. About the Indianapolis GAA The Indianapolis GAA started in 2006 with barely enough players to fill two rosters. The squad quickly grew and in 2008 won the Junior C National Hurling Championship. Every year since claiming the title the Indy GAA has sent two hurling teams to the nationals competition and enjoys a membership of over 100 players in the club’s summer league. The Indy GAA is also comprised of a Camogie team, the women's equivalent of hurling. The camogie arm started in 2010, when just a few of our female hurlers banded with another city’s camogie team at a regional tournament. The next year Indianapolis sent a full roster to that same tournament and won the cup. That same year the team traveled to San Francisco for the nationals tournament and claimed the Junior Camogie Shield Title. What
Indianapolis Hurling Invitational
presented by the AOH Kevin Barry Division When
Saturday, August 4th, 2012 - 9am Where
World Sports Park
1313 Post Rd (map)
Indianapolis, IN 46239 Claddagh Downtown
234 S Meridian St
Indianapolis, IN 46225 FREE Admission Questions? Please Contact: Kyle Keesling
Indianapolis GAA PR Officer
publicrelations@indyhurling.com
317-804-1295 |