New High King for Tara crowning

MEATH GAA legend Graham Geraghty is to make an All-Ireland come-back of his own in September when he competes for the new High King of Tara title.
The All-Star athlete is one of thirteen contestants from all over the world who will take part in the Tara High Kings Festival at the historical hill.
The event, launched yesterday by another Meath legend Sean Boylan, will see competitors emulate the feats of ancient warriors The Fianna in a spectacular show of pomp and ceremony.
Geraghty will face stiff competition from the US and Russian which will be represented by retired St Louis cop Kirk Lawless and Russian lawyer Vitaliy Negoda. Both have Irish backgrounds and are keen Gaelic fans.
Alongside these will be three women – director of Foundation Nepal, Nicky Deasy, Antoinette Faye Secretary and Coach of the Johnstown Boxing Club and national secretary of women’s boxing and a coach to national female boxing teams, and Scottish youth worker Jennifer McLean.
World Transplant Games winner Darren Cawley will travel from Mayo, representing the Irish Kidney Association and members of the emergency services will also take on the task for the crown.
The winner will be the first High King to be announced at Tara in nearly one millennium.
Based on the legendary na Fianna trials, the contestants will have to sprint 60m while taking a thorn out of their foot, zig-zag a two foot high balance beam carrying a shield and hazel rod and run over willow garden screening without breaking a twig.
As well as other tasks, they will also have to finish a section of a waist-high ring-fence and then defend themselves from nine people throwing foam javelins!
Rumour has it that Sean Boylan himself is preparing a little herbal something to help their stamina!
Who will be the 143rd High King? Find out on the Hill of Tara, Co. Meath on Saturday, September 14, 2013 – log onto www.tarahighkingsfestival.ie for further information.