News

Athletic Events Take Center Stage at 2007 GAIF

July 12, 2007

UTICA – While for some people attending the 2007 Great American Irish Festival, athletic activity will consist of hoisting pints of stout, others may prefer their pastimes to be bit more strenuous. Those folks will not be disappointed again this year, as Gaelic sporting events of all kinds will be on display at the GAIF.
The 2007 Great American Irish Festival, scheduled for July 27- 29 at the Herkimer County Fairgrounds in Frankfort, will feature its 3rd Annual Gaelic Football Tournament as well as, for the first time, a rugby tournament.
This year's Gaelic Football Tournament is scheduled to begin at noon on Saturday, July 28, with two teams advancing to contest for the GAIF Cup in the championship game at approximately 7 p.m. Since it is the middle of the Gaelic Football season, many clubs may not sign up until the last minute, but as of this point in time clubs expected to compete in the 7-man format football tournament include the Buffalo Fenians, Montreal Shamrocks and the "A" team and the "B" teams from the NYC/Dublin G.A.A. At least two additional teams are expected to be joining the lineup. As an added bonus, two women's teams from Toronto's Tir na nOg club will be presenting an all-woman, slug-fest exhibition.
Rugby will be taking over the football pitch on Sunday with the 1st GAIF Rugby Tournament and exhibition.
While both rugby and Gaelic football are unquestionably full-contact sports in every sense of the word, they actually (contrary to popular opinion) do have some rules, and knowledgeable announcers will be on hand explaining the action for interested viewers.
Admission to all sporting events is included with the festival admission.