49 Super Hurling 11s in Notre Dame The GAA and GPA, with the support of Aer Lingus, are staging the Super Hurling 11s, ‘The Celtic Champions Classic’ at the University of Notre Dame on Saturday October 19 to coincide with the biggest College Football showdown of the season when Notre Dame take on arch rivals USC. The unique short-form of hurling has been devised and trialled over the past six months with a view to having a version of the game suitable to play at established sporting venues. With up to 100,000 supporters expected on the South Bend campus for the evening football game, Ireland’s leading hurlers will, earlier that afternoon, perform the Super Hurling 11s at the University’s Lacrosse Stadium. The game will form a key part of Notre Dame’s gameday itinerary and will provide a unique opportunity to showcase our greatest hurlers to a new and influential audience. Speaking about the launch, Uachtarán Chumann Lúthchleas Gael, Liam Ó Néill said: “We are delighted to announce details of this joint initiative with the GPA, one that presents us with an unrivalled opportunity to showcase the special game that we all know hurling is to a new audience. I look forward to seeing how the game is received and also how our players adapt to it.” GPA chairman Dónal Óg Cusack added: “This Classic exhibition is a truly wonderful opportunity for us to exhibit hurling at a high profile US sporting event. We believe that our games rank alongside the best sports in the world and the staging of this game in Notre Dame is part of our commitment to convey that message to a new and influential audience.” Declan Kearney, Aer Lingus Director of Communications said: “This is an excellent opportunity for hurling to further boost its rapidly growing international appeal. We’re delighted to lend our support to the GAA and GPA in the initiative and are looking forward to welcoming Ireland’s greatest hurlers onboard in October.” The Super 11s format will be viewed by the public for the first time at the exhibition game in Pearse Stadium on Saturday 21st September. This exhibition will involve top inter-county hurlers and will form part of the programme on the final day of the Aer Lingus/Etihad Airways International Hurling Festival. Celtic Champions Classic: Super Hurling 11s Launch of Super Hurling 11s: (L-R): Michael Grealy (Aer Lingus), Donal Óg Cusack (GPA), Liam O’Neill (GAA President) and Professor Kevin Whelan, Notre Dame.
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