Páirc Táilteann set for some August gridiron

Meath GAA Co Committee chairman Barney Allen says that the two American football games scheduled to take place at Páirc Táilteann on Friday 31st August next will be important in generating much-needed funds for the development of the stadium. The games pencilled in for Brews Hill venue include the an encounter between the Notre Dame Preparatory High School Saints from Scottsdale in Arizona who take on the Father Judge High School Crusaders of Philadelphia. A curtainraiser, starting at 4.0 is also scheduled although the teams taking part in that game have yet to be confirmed. Both matches are part of what is called the Global Ireland Football Tournament (GIFT) which has been endorsed by the Irish American Football Association (IAFA). The games will be a historic event in the long history of Páirc Táilteann which was officially opened in 1935 and was known to many people in Meath as the Showgrounds. Páirc Táilteann has hosted other teams from abroad including the Galahs Australian football team which played against Meath in the late 1960s. "If we could get 8,000 to 10,000 to attend the games we would be happy, whether we will or not we just don't know," added the popular Co Committee chairman. "We're using this as a fundraiser for Páirc Táilteann. It's something new, it's something we went with, we met them and we got permission from Croke Park to host these games along with Parnell Park. "We hope it will be well supported by the people in Meath, the sporting people in Meath and in adjoining counties as well. We're hoping to get as many people in as we can to get a few bob for the development of Páirc Táilteann." The Co Committee chairman added that he hoped that the terrace at the O'Mahonys end of the ground, at least, will be completed before the Americans invade the Brews Hill venue. "We will be allowed to have a certain amount of spectators at the O'Mahonys end but we might have the terracing done at that end of the ground by that stage, we hope to have it done by that stage we hope to start that now fairly shortly if we can get permission for it. "We're going to concrete that bank, that's our aim for 2012 anyway, but we feel we'll have enough room on the stand and terrace as it is. A lot of people might go to see, we just don't know at this stage. There will be around four hours entertainment." The pitch markings will be made by a company involved with the organisers while Meath Co Committee will provide the stewards. "We have to provide the stewards as well as the scoreboard, the usual things for any game," he added. However, late last year a report raised a number of public safety issues with Páirc Táilteann including fire, crowd and planning concerns. Since then the Co Committee have made improvements including the provision of extra barriers on the terrace. The Páric Táilteann double-header is one of what the organisers call "three American football showcases" featuring 12 teams from Arizona, California, Connecticut, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Texas and Wisconsin staged at three different venues. Only Páric Táilteann has yet been officially declared a venue although Parnell Park and Donnybrook are understood to be the other grounds involved. The games represent a perfect opportunity for followers of American football in Meath and beyond to experience the sport up close and personal. The Páirc Táilteann matches will be part of the 'Feile Americana' five-day festival in the greater Dublin area which the organisers claim will attract up to 20,000 visitors from the US. A number of events will take place in Trim where "the very best of music, arts and cuisine from both sides of the Atlantic" will be available. Also planned is an exhibition game involving the Trim-based Bulldogs American football team. Their manager Joe Rayfus played a part in ensuring American football ended up coming to the Royal County. "This event was originally coming to Dublin, but by chance I contacted Patrick Steenberge the president of Global Football the organising body of GIFT 2012 and we convinced him to come down to Trim and with the help of local councillors and local business we convinced him Meath should definitely be included in this project." The main event of the weekend will be a game between two giants of American football, Notre Dame and Navy at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday 1st September in what has been billed as the 'Emerald Isle Classic.' Navan-based councillor Shane Cassells has warmly welcomed the news and has already sought to put in place plans to ensure the town's economy enjoys the maximum benefit. "It is fantastic news for the town and for the Meath GAA. I am already working with officials to make sure Navan rolls out the red carpet for our visitors and that we put a plan in place that gets as many of the visiting Americans to Dublin down the road to Navan for the high school game," remarked Cassells. Tickets for Navan games will go on sale on Thursday 1st March through Ticketmaster, priced €15 for adults and €10 for students, with free admission for u-12s.