Global Ireland Football Tournament

Canadian High School Teams to Play in Ireland

admin — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 15:00:12 +0000

Canadian high schools Oak Park and Villanova College will travel to Ireland and meet on the gridiron as part of Global Ireland Football Tournament 2012

International flavor of GIFT event increases as schools from Manitoba and Ontario join teams from the United States at Páirc Tailteann in County Meath

Two top high school American football teams from Canada will travel to Ireland this summer to play each other at the famous Páirc Tailteann, home of Meath Gaelic Football and Hurling, as part of the Global Ireland Football Tournament (GIFT) 2012.

The clash between Oak Park High School from Winnipeg, Manitoba, and Villanova College from King City near Toronto, Ontario, will kick off a double-header of two games being played at the 20,000-capacity venue in Navan, County Meath, on Friday, August 31. The Canadian rivals will meet at 4pm, followed by a clash between Notre Dame Preparatory High School from Scottsdale, Arizona, and Father Judge High School of Philadelphia at 7.30pm.

One of the nation’s top-ranked high school teams, Oak Park suffered only one defeat in 2011 and reached the final of the Winnipeg High School Football League ANAVETS Bowl for the third year in a row as defending champions.

Head Coach Stuart Nixon, who has led the Raiders fortunes since 2003, said: “Everyone involved in our program is so excited to have the opportunity to take part in this tournament and showcase our team across the pond. A trip of this magnitude has involved a great deal of work on the part of the coaches, parents and players but I am sure it will be an unforgettable experience that will be well worth it.”

Villanova College was established in 1999 and the football program was started in 2002 under head coach Marcello Lio, who played American football with Bergamo and Nuremburg in Italy and Germany. Last season the Knights posted a 3-5 record.

“This is a great step forward in our young football program and we are very grateful to be one of only two Canadian high schools taking part in this historic international event,” said Coach Lio. “This is going to be a global event our football team will never forget. Our coaching staff has worked tirelessly at making this remarkable opportunity come to fruition. I sincerely have to thank our school administration and parents for their support.”

Tickets are on sale through www.Tickets.ie/GIFT2012 priced €15 for adults and may be printed from home after purchasing. Admission is free for children aged 12 and under and a €10 student ticket will be available at the venues on game day.

Patrick Steenberge, President of GIFT 2012 organizer Global Football said: “Having two top athletic and academic schools from Canada involved in GIFT is truly special, further broadening the global scope of this historic event. Next to America, Canada plays at the highest level and with the largest number of participants in the sport, anywhere in the world. These teams are sure to stage a highly competitive, entertaining game. Páirc Tailteann Stadium is an ideal showcase for our games.”

The ‘double-header’ at the historic GAA stadium is one of three Global Ireland Football Tournament showcases that day featuring a total of 12 teams from Arizona, California, Connecticut, Illinois, Manitoba, Ohio, Ontario, Pennsylvania, Texas and Wisconsin being staged at three different venues in and around Dublin. The games will be played on the eve of the Emerald Isle Classic being played at the AVIVA Stadium between Notre Dame and Navy.

The Irish American Football Association (IAFA) endorses the GIFT 2012 event and one of their member teams, the Trim Bulldogs, will provide support for the games at Páirc Tailteann. With more than 20,000 gridiron fans expected to travel to Ireland in the last week of August, the town of Trim will add to the celebrations by holding the ‘Feile Americana’. The 5-day festival will showcase the very best of music, arts and cuisine from both sides of the Atlantic from August 29 to September 2.

Trim’s pubs and hotels will have live music each night of the festival, ranging from traditional Irish music to jazz, country and bluegrass. An American-style drive-in cinema will provide entertainment for the whole family on the Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The event will be centrally located in the town’s Porchie Fields and will be showing up to three movies a day free of charge. A pedestrian viewing area will accommodate those who prefer sit out in the open air to enjoy the screenings.

Saturday evening and Sunday afternoon will provide locals and visitors alike with the chance to experience the very best in traditional music from both sides of the Atlantic. The Music Stage along with a selection of food and beverage vendors will provide a relaxing atmosphere, where people can sit out and enjoy the music that the festival has to offer.

The beautiful green area at the front of Trim Castle’s Dublin gate will be transformed into a quintessential American style country fair, with the best of Irish and American artisan foods and crafts on sale. The market will give all comers the opportunity to indulge in everything from Californian Blueberry muffins to New England Clam Chowder, a New Yorker Hot Dog to the Deep South’s Creole Cookin’ as well as many unique Irish foods and flavors.

Other events over the weekend will include a Gala Dinner and Charity Auction and an exhibition game featuring County Meath’s very own Trim Bulldogs.

Villanova College will stay at the New Grange Hotel in Navan during their visit, while Oak Park High School will stay at the Royal Hotel in Bray.

“I trust our visitors will enjoy their historic visit to an equally historic county,” said Meath GAA Cathaoirleach (President) Bernard Allen. “Coiste na Mí (County Meath) is determined to make their stay an unforgettable one.

“Páirc Tailteann has hosted many great games since it opened in 1935. Australian youth teams played in the Navan venue, so these teams will be joining an elite group of great sports personnel who will display all that is good in sport. We hope the memories they will take with them from the Royal County will endure well into the future.”

Media may download action photos of Oak Park High School and the GIFT logo for media use only here:
https://www.yousendit.com/download/M3BsVWRqSEI4aU1LSk5Vag

About Páirc Tailteann: The Gaelic Athletic Association stadium in Navan, County Meath, Ireland, is the home of the Meath Gaelic football and Hurling teams. The ground has a capacity of between 20,000 and 23,000 and is the venue of the annual Meath GAA club championship finals of which the winners receive the Keegan Cup (for Football) and the Jubilee Cup (for Hurling). It is the principal GAA stadium in County Meath, which boasts 60 GAA clubs, and was opened in 1935.

About Global Football: Under the guidance of President Patrick Steenberge, a former Notre Dame quarterback and high school All-American at Erie Cathedral Prep, Global Football has produced football games in 19 nations during the past 16 years. Working partners include USA Football, NFL, Super Bowl Host Committees, American Football Coaches Association (AFCA), Notre Dame, Penn State, Pop Warner, Tanzania Sports Council and dozens of NCAA Division III colleges as well as National Football Federations worldwide. www.globalfootball.com

About Education in Ireland
World Class Standards, Warmest of Welcomes:
Ireland’s worldwide reputation for high quality education is built on the solid foundation of commitment to excellence. Ireland is a beautiful island, combining contemporary modern cities with an unspoilt countryside, offering cityscapes steeped in history and landscapes lush with a rich natural habitat. Renowned for friendliness, our safe, English speaking country offers the warmest of welcomes to students from all over the world. www.educationinireland.com

About the Irish American Football Association (IAFA): The National Governing Body for American Football in Ireland is recognised by the Irish Sports Council and the Federation of Irish Sports. It is affiliated to the European Federation of American Football (EFAF) and the International Federation of American Football (IFAF). The Irish American Football League (IAFL) plays adult, full contact American football U.S. college football rules and has also established an 8v8 league to allow new teams to progress.

About The Play Like A Champion Today® Educational Series: An innovative coach and parent education program that is transforming the culture of sports today. Based at the University of Notre Dame, Play Like A Champion Today® offers an athlete-centered, research-based approach to coaching and sport parenting by offering interactive coach clinics, parent workshops and athlete character-building initiatives. http://www.playlikeachampion.org/

About Anthony Travel: The leader in university and sports travel management, playing a critical role in the success of the Emerald Isle Classic and Global Ireland Football Tournament. Providing over 10,000 guests with comprehensive travel solutions to Ireland, Anthony Travel is sure to deliver an unforgettable experience. Contact Sheldon Baxter, sheldonbaxter@anthonytravel.com for details, or visit www.anthonytravel.com/globalfootball/gift.

Tickets to Watch Top US HS & College Football Teams in Ireland This Summer On Sale at Tickets.ie

admin — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 15:00:18 +0000

Tickets to watch top U.S. high school and college American Football teams in action in Ireland this summer on sale at www.Tickets.ie

Admission to Global Ireland Football Tournament 2012 games at Páirc Tailteann, Parnell Park and Donnybrook Stadium on sale priced €15 for adults

Tickets to watch top high school and college American football teams from the United States in action in Ireland this summer at the Global Ireland Football Tournament (GIFT) 2012 have gone on sale through www.Tickets.ie.

GAA stadiums Páirc Tailteann in Country Meath and Parnell Park in Donnycarney on Dublin’s northside and the Donnybrook Stadium home of Rugby Union in Leinster, will each host two American football games, kicking off at 4pm and 7.30pm on Friday, August 31.

Participating teams and fixtures:

Páirc Tailteann: 7.30pm Notre Dame Prep (Arizona) vs. Father Judge (Pennsylvania)
4pm: Game TBA
Parnell Park: 7.30pm Notre Dame High School (California) vs. Hamilton High School (Arizona)
4pm Game TBA
Donnybrook Stadium 7.30pm John Carroll University (Ohio) vs. St Norbert College (Wisconsin)
4pm Loyola Academy, Chicago (Illinois) vs. Jesuit Prep Dallas (Texas)

Patrick Steenberge of GIFT 2012 organizer Global Football said: “We are delighted to partner with Tickets.ie, who will provide a reliable and user-friendly ticket-buying experience to sports fans from Ireland and the United States who are eager to see what these games have to offer.

“We are bringing top-quality American football teams to play the first or second game of their new season overseas in historic venues and I hope Ireland’s sports fans and those traveling to Ireland for the following day’s Notre Dame-Navy game will be as excited as we are at the prospect of seeing them in action.”

Tickets.ie is the leading independent provider of fully out-sourced ticketing services in Ireland. Its core mission is to provide a comprehensive suite of high quality, reliable and innovative ticketing services that continually add value for clients.

Tickets.ie provides industrial-strength, flexible and highly customizable ticketing solutions to the entertainment and leisure sectors, primarily for concerts and other high-demand events. Tickets.ie has a proven track record and is a trusted name to both industry clients and the ticket-buying public with more than 1,800 events currently ticketed each year, more than 4,500 events in total.

The series of GIFT ‘Friday Night Lights’ games will be complemented by activities that are available to the public, including:

Town of Trim hosting a five-day ‘Feile Americana’ festival of Irish and American music, arts and cuisine
Team practices at University College Dublin on Thursday, August 30
American-style Parade and Pep Rally in City Center Dublin on Thursday, August 30

Dublin GAA Chief Executive John Costello said: “The Dublin GAA Board are delighted to host these games in Parnell Park. We can guarantee that those who travel to Ireland to either play or attend this event will have a memorable experience. Dublin is a great sporting city and it is also a unique opportunity for our residents to experience American Football in Parnell Park.”

Meath GAA Cathaoirleach (President) Bernard Allen said: “Páirc Tailteann has hosted many great games since it opened in 1935. Australian youth teams played in the Navan venue, so the United States teams will be joining an elite group of great sports personnel who will display all that is good in sport. We hope the memories they will take with them from the Royal County will endure well into the future.”

David Ross, Leinster Executive Services Manager and Operations Manager for the Donnybrook Stadium said: “Leinster Rugby are delighted with the announcement that four American Football teams will play in Donnybrook on Friday, August 31. We look forward to welcoming the large number of American visitors to our grounds.”

Brian Mullins, the noted Gaelic Footballer who played with St Vincent’s and the Dublin Senior Team and is now the Director of Sport at University College Dublin, will serve as Honorary Chairman for the games at Parnell Park. Former Notre Dame All-American and Green Bay Packers first round draft pick Mike McCoy will also serve as an Honorary Chairman. He graduated from the University of Notre Dame with a BA in Economics where he played football and was a Consensus All-American and played at defensive tackle during an 11-year NFL career.

“Through my role at UCD and having played football and hurling at Parnell Park over the years, I am really excited and enthusiastic about this event,” said Mullins. “I encourage all Irish sports fans to come along and sample a different code of football at a traditional Gaelic sports venue and enjoy what will be a great evening of entertainment.”

The GIFT games will be played on the eve of the Emerald Isle Classic being played at the AVIVA Stadium between Notre Dame and Navy (September 1) and are endorsed by the Irish American Football Association (IAFA) which governs the sport in Ireland and whose season is currently being played.

About Global Football: Under the guidance of President Patrick Steenberge, a former Notre Dame quarterback and high school All-American at Erie Cathedral Prep, Global Football has produced football games in 19 nations during the past 16 years. Working partners include American Football Coaches Association (AFCA), Pop Warner, NFL, Super Bowl Host Committees, USA Football, Notre Dame, Penn State, CONADEIP Mexico, Tanzania Sports Council and dozens of NCAA Division III colleges as well as National Football Federations worldwide. www.globalfootball.com

About Education in Ireland
World Class Standards, Warmest of Welcomes:
Ireland’s worldwide reputation for high quality education is built on the solid foundation of commitment to excellence. Ireland is a beautiful island, combining contemporary modern cities with an unspoilt countryside, offering cityscapes steeped in history and landscapes lush with a rich natural habitat. Renowned for friendliness, our safe, English speaking country offers the warmest of welcomes to students from all over the world. www.educationinireland.com

Donnybrook Stadium Welcomes Top US HS & College American Teams As Tickets Go On Sale

admin — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 15:00:24 +0000

Donnybrook Stadium welcomes top U.S. high school and college American football teams as tickets go on sale for Global Ireland Football Tournament

Tickets for all games and venues available through www.Tickets.ie from March 15

Donnybrook Stadium, the traditional home of Rugby Union in Leinster, will host two American football games featuring top high school and Division III college teams from the United States playing in Ireland this summer as part of the Global Ireland Football Tournament (GIFT) 2012.

Donnybrook Stadium, located on Dublin’s southside, is the former home of the reigning Heineken Cup European champions Leinster Rugby Club, and joins GAA venues Páirc Tailteann in Navan, County Meath, and Parnell Park in Donnycarney on Dublin’s northside for the series of games on Friday, August 31.

Organizer Global Football has also announced that tickets for all GIFT 2012 events, which each offer six hours worth of top-quality American football action, will go on sale on March 15 through www.Tickets.ie/GIFT2012 priced 15 Euros for adults and 10 Euros for students, with free admission for children aged 12 and under.

High school teams Loyola Academy from Illinois and Jesuit College Preparatory School of Dallas, Texas, will kick off the Donnybrook event at 4pm, followed by a 7.30pm clash between John Carroll University from Ohio and St Norbert College from Wisconsin. The ‘double-header’ in Dublin is one of three American football showcases that day featuring a total of 12 teams on the eve of the Emerald Isle Classic at the AVIVA Stadium between Notre Dame and Navy. Details of all games can be found at www.GIFT2012.com.

“From my first visit to Dublin, I identified Donnybrook as an ideal setting for two of our historic games,” said Patrick Steenberge of Global Football. “Upon entering the stadium I got the feeling of a traditional sports stadium where thousands of classic games have been played. Leinster Rugby is the premier club in all of Europe, and our partnership with them and the other rugby clubs that share Donnybrook is very special. With its proximity to City Center Dublin, this will be the easiest GIFT stadium for fans to access.”

“Leinster Rugby are delighted with the announcement that four American Football teams will play in Donnybrook on Friday, August 31.” said David Ross, Leinster Executive Services Manager and Operations Manager for the Donnybrook stadium. “It is the traditional Leinster home ground for our main Schools Rugby Cup Competitions, as well as our Leinster Domestic Rugby Representative sides at underage levels Under 18’s / 19’ s. In addition, Leinster U 20’s and Leinster ‘A’ teams also play their top home games in Donnybrook.

“Being so close to the Aviva Stadium, the August 31 American Football games will be the ideal ‘opener’ for the big game there on September 1 and we look forward to welcoming the large number of American visitors to our grounds.”

The Irish American Football Association (IAFA), whose 2012 league season kicked off in Ireland this month and is highlighted by the Shamrock Bowl on the weekend of July 14/15, endorses the GIFT 2012 games.

Media may download action photos of Loyola Academy for media use only and the GIFT 2012 event logo, here: https://rcpt.yousendit.com/1412096696/842d30afbb1d48fba9d7d7cadb227384

Media may download action photos of St Norbert College for media use only and the GIFT 2012 event logo, here: https://rcpt.yousendit.com/1412092876/63c4ff0b984427d8e4236f5d93090dcf

The teams:

John Carroll University, led by head coach Regis Scafe, is no stranger to Global Football events, having participated in their European Tours every three years since 1996. Most recently, in May of 2010, the Blue Streaks visited France for ten days of football and sightseeing, culminating in a game against the Brussels All-Stars. In 2011, John Carroll posted a 5-5 record, marking the 24th time in the past 25 years that the Blue Streaks have finished at or above .500.

St. Norbert College has won nine Midwest Conference championships, appearing in eight NCAA Division III playoffs under head coach Jim Purtill. The Green Knights finished the 2011 season with a 7-3 record, ensuring St Norbert has recorded at least seven wins in each of the past 13 seasons.

Loyola Academy won the 2010 Chicago Catholic League Championship and the Prep Bowl Championship in 2008 and last season posted 13 wins before losing in the 8A Illinois State finals. During head coach John Holecek’s six years at Loyola, the team has qualified for the IHSA largest school division state playoffs each year.

Jesuit College Preparatory School of Dallas, a top Texas private school program, is one of two private schools that is a member of the University Interscholastic League and competes in District 9 of Class 5A, the state’s largest classification. In 2011 Dallas Prep reached first round of the state playoffs.

About Donnybrook Stadium: The 6,000-capacity stadium has 2,500 individual seats and hosts multiple rugby games for Leinster friendly games, Ireland A, the Ireland women’s team and Leinster schools teams. Local club sides Old Wesley and Bective Rangers also play at Donnybrook, which hosted a Michael Bublé concert in 2008 following its renovation.

For information about the Global Ireland Football Tournament 2012 please visit www.GIFT2012.com or email Patrick@GlobalFootball.com. All team and fan travel for GIFT is being expertly handled by Anthony Travel, which also manages all team and fan travel for the Notre Dame and Navy. Contact Sheldon Baxter, sheldonbaxter@anthonytravel.com for details, or visit www.anthonytravel.com/globalfootball/gift.

Education In Ireland Partners with GIFT 2012

admin — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 15:00:08 +0000

Education In Ireland is delighted to announce today its partnership with the Global Ireland Football Tournament (GIFT 2012) to support their high school and college American Football games around Dublin in August 2012.

Education in Ireland, a government initiative to promote Irish higher education overseas works closely with many US high schools, their students and parents to communicate the benefits and attractiveness of studying in Ireland. Ireland’s worldwide reputation for high quality education is built on the solid foundation of commitment to excellence.

Ireland is a beautiful island, combining contemporary modern cities with an unspoiled countryside, cityscapes steeped in history and a rich natural habitat. Renowned for friendliness, the safe, English-speaking country offers the warmest of welcomes to students from all over the world.

In August 2012 a large group of these students are coming to Ireland, allowing a wonderful opportunity to experience Ireland’s education system first hand!

Three American football showcases featuring a 12 teams from Arizona, California, Connecticut, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Texas and Wisconsin will be played at Parnell Park in Dublin, Páirc Tailteann in Navan, and at a third venue still to be announced as part of GIFT 2012. The games will be played on August 31 at 4pm and 7.30pm, on the eve of the Emerald Isle Classic at the AVIVA Stadium between Notre Dame and Navy.

GIFT 2012 is expected to attract more than 2,500 participants, who will travel from the United States to Dublin for the event, in addition to an estimated 20,000 predominantly American visitors for the Notre Dame-Navy game. Each school will travel with an average of 60 football student athletes, along with cheer groups, marching bands, key campus administrators, family members and alumni. This is the first time that such a large group of American schools and student-athletes have traveled overseas to compete in an American football event.

The participating 10 high schools and two colleges are among the very best academic learning facilities in the U.S. and are located in many of the target states for Education in Ireland’s programme in the U.S. The message about Studying in Ireland will also be carried to a much broader audience through the vast media attention the games will attract.

“I am impressed with the high quality of education being provided by Irish universities and colleges, and happy to work with many of these top schools in and around our GIFT 2012 event,” said Global Football President Patrick Steenberge. “The Education In Ireland mission fits very well with that of Global Football, and their inclusive style will be appreciated by our students, administrators and parents who visit. They are a wonderful partner.”

Tickets for all GIFT 2012 events, which each offer six hours worth of top-quality American football action, will go on sale on March 15, priced 15 Euros for adults and 10 Euros for students, with free admission for children aged 12 and under.

Education in Ireland will have a strong presence at all the GIFT events, full details of which will be released over the next few weeks. www.educationinireland.com

About Education in Ireland
World Class Standards, Warmest of Welcomes:

Internationally recognised qualifications and extensive choice
Irish higher education institutions and qualifications are recognised worldwide for excellence, delivering world-class innovative learning in many disciplines. Students can choose from an extensive range of courses to meet their needs in highly respected business schools, centres of scientific and technology excellence as well as renowned language, humanities and arts faculties.

A friendly, safe country
And it is not just us saying it! Ireland was voted by Lonely Planet as the world’s friendliest country in 2008 and 2010 and was ranked 11th in the 2011 Global Peace Index. The island’s varied environment is ideal for many outdoor pursuits such as climbing, water sports and all kinds of ball and team sports.

English-speaking country
Ireland is an English-speaking country with close cultural, economic and educational links with the English-speaking world, especially with the UK – our next door neighbour – and with the USA. With 36% of the population under the age of 25, Ireland is one of the most exciting places in the English-speaking world to be a student.

Leading global companies in Ireland
Companies who require a skilled, educated and highly capable workforce to drive their success choose to locate in Ireland. Recently, Ireland has welcomed Google, Twitter, Facebook, Pfizer, Apple, Intel to name just a few – all of whom chose Ireland as their European base.

Take the first step to join the growing number of international students choosing Ireland to fulfill their potential. Your future starts here….

About Global Football: Under the guidance of President Patrick Steenberge, a former Notre Dame quarterback and high school All-American at Erie Cathedral Prep, Global Football has produced football games in 19 nations during the past 16 years. Working partners include American Football Coaches Association (AFCA), Pop Warner, NFL, Super Bowl Host Committees, USA Football, Notre Dame, Penn State, CONADEIP Mexico, Tanzania Sports Council and dozens of NCAA Division III colleges as well as National Football Federations worldwide. www.globalfootball.com.

Global Football & Play Like A Champion Today® Partner to Create ‘Character Award’

admin — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 15:00:07 +0000

Global Football and Play Like A Champion Today® partner to create ‘Character Award’ to recognize athletes taking part in Global Ireland Football Tournament

One player from each of 12 schools traveling to Ireland will be nominated for overall award

Image used with permission by PLACT, Inc

Global Football and the Play Like A Champion Today® Educational Series (PLC) have partnered to create a ‘Character Award’ to recognize athletes participating in the Global Ireland Football Tournament (GIFT) 2012 in Ireland this summer.

Play Like A Champion Today® is an affiliate of the Institute for Educational Initiatives at the University of Notre Dame and is a program for teaching, outreach and research. Its mission is to develop the whole person through sports in a moral community by producing and delivering character-oriented, research-based educational programs for coaches, parents, athletes and administrators. The program’s youth and high school coach courses are nationally accredited by NCACE, National Council for Accreditation of Coaching Education.

Each of the 10 high schools and two universities whose football teams will travel from the United States to play their 2012 season-opening game in Ireland on August 31, will be asked to nominate one athlete for the award before heading overseas.

The PLC Character Award will then be highlighted at a private banquet hosted by Price Waterhouse Coopers on Thursday, August 30, in Dublin and the award will be presented at the Pre-Game Tailgate at the UCD Bowl Stadium before the University of Notre Dame plays Navy at the Aviva Stadium on September 1. Play Like A Champion Today® will offer a special presentation to Dublin-area coaches, teachers and students, and the traveling GIFT schools’ families and staff will also be invited.

“As a Notre Dame alum and Monogram Club member, I was impressed when the Play Like a Champion Today® program was first initiated in 2006,” said Global Football President Patrick Steenberge. “I have followed with keen interest their development and impact on student athletes, coaches and families across America, and am extremely proud to have them now as a working partner in Ireland for the Global Ireland Football Tournament.

“Together we will work to carry their positive message overseas, and recognize one top player per participating GIFT team for his character, then name one of them with the PLC / Global Football Character Award for GIFT 2012.”

Kristin Sheehan, M.A., former Notre Dame cheerleader and ND Monogram winner, is the Program Director for Play Like A Champion Today®. She said: “Sport provides an ideal setting to develop the moral and spiritual character of young people. The PLC Character Award will applaud student athletes who possess and demonstrate the soul of a champion.

“These athletes are driven team leaders; disciplined and focused in their sport and respected by their team and larger community for their teamwork, integrity and service. Play Like a Champion Today® is honored to share our champion philosophy with coaches, parents and athletes in Ireland through partnership with Global Football, a true champion-centered program.”

Three American football showcases featuring a total of 12 teams from Arizona, California, Connecticut, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Texas and Wisconsin will be played at Parnell Park in Dublin, Páirc Tailteann in Navan, and at a third venue still to be announced as part of the GIFT 2012 event. The games will be played on August 31 at 4pm and 7.30pm, on the eve of the Emerald Isle Classic at the AVIVA Stadium between Notre Dame and Navy.

About Global Football: Under the guidance of President Patrick Steenberge, a former Notre Dame quarterback and high school All-American at Erie Cathedral Prep, Global Football has produced football games in 19 nations during the past 16 years. Working partners include American Football Coaches Association (AFCA), Pop Warner, NFL, Super Bowl Host Committees, USA Football, Notre Dame, Penn State, CONADEIP Mexico, Tanzania Sports Council and dozens of NCAA Division III colleges as well as National Football Federations worldwide. www.globalfootball.com

Parnell Park Welcomes Arizona & California HS Football Teams

admin — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 15:00:40 +0000

Parnell Park in Dublin welcomes top U.S. high school American football teams from Arizona and California for Global Ireland Football Tournament 2012

Former All-Ireland Gaelic football star Brian Mullins to serve as GIFT Honorary Chairman

The Global Ireland Football Tournament 2012 has confirmed that GAA venue Parnell Park will host two American football games featuring top high school teams from the United States playing in Ireland this summer.

Hot on the heels of announcing Páirc Tailteann as a GIFT 2012 venue, organizer Global Football has secured the 11,500-capacity GAA stadium in Donnycarney on Dublin’s northside for games on Friday, August 31.

Hamilton High School from Chandler, Arizona, which reached the Division 1 State Championship Game for the fourth year in a row in 2011, will face Notre Dame High School from Sherman Oaks, California, at 7.30pm. Two more traveling teams, who will open the two-game festival of American football at Parnell Park at 4pm, will be announced soon at www.GIFT2012.com.

Brian Mullins, the noted Gaelic Footballer who played with St Vincent’s and the Dublin Senior Team and is now the Director of Sport at University College Dublin, will serve as Honorary Chairman for the games at Parnell Park. All 12 participating GIFT teams will hold training sessions that will be open to the public and media at UCD on Thursday, August 30, the day before they kick off their new season in Ireland.

“Through my role at UCD and having played football and hurling at Parnell Park over the years, I am really excited and enthusiastic about this event,” said Mullins, who holds four All-Ireland medals. “I want to congratulate everyone associated with these games for their hard work in making this happen.

“I encourage all Irish sports fans to come along and sample a different code of football at a traditional Gaelic sports venue and enjoy what will be a great evening of entertainment. It is an honor to be asked to serve as a GIFT Honorary Chairman, and as Director of Sport at UCD, I am eager to welcome the American football teams to our campus for their training.”

“Dublin is a great sporting city and it is also a unique opportunity for our residents to experience American Football in Parnell Park.”

The ‘double-header’ in Dublin is one of three American football showcases that day featuring a total of 12 teams from Arizona, California, Connecticut, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Texas and Wisconsin being staged at Parnell Park, Páirc Tailteann in Navan, and at a third venue still to be announced. The games will be played on the eve of the Emerald Isle Classic at the AVIVA Stadium between Notre Dame and Navy.

“From the start of planning this classic American football event for Ireland I have worked hard to have these showcase games played in various historical stadiums across the Dublin area, so fans of different areas of the city could come and enjoy the competition,” said Global Football President Patrick Steenberge.

“Parnell Park, the longtime home of the Dublin GAA, is ideally situated on the northside of Dublin. It allows easy access for all the sports fans in that part of the city, as well as being a very short distance from the city center for the American fans there for the Navy vs. Notre Dame game the next day. Our teams will be able to play on hallowed ground where so many Irish greats of Gaelic Football and Hurling have competed.”

Tickets for all GIFT 2012 events, which each offer six hours worth of top-quality American football action, will go on sale on March 1 at the three host venues and through Ticketmaster, priced 15 Euros for adults and 10 Euros for students, with free admission for children aged 12 and under.

“The Irish American Football Association are delighted with the professionalism of Global Football and Mr. Steenberge,” said IAFA President Greg Loughran, whose organization governs the sport in Ireland.

“The GIFT 2012 event will give the visiting players and coaches a taste of Ireland and it’s sporting heritage that is not normally possible to experience. The fans of American Football and even the casual spectators who attend these games will be very impressed with the intensity and excitement of the little piece of history that they have witnessed.”

Media may download action photos of Notre Dame High School for media use only and the new GIFT 2012 event logo, here: https://rcpt.yousendit.com/1385830040/de73cadf2a4592e409c4e310faefd503

The teams:

Notre Dame High School football has been one of the most consistently successful programs in the state of California since 1993, and during that time has won 14 League Championships, four CIF Championships and has been CIF runner-up three times.

Hamilton High School is one of the top football programs in Arizona and won three consecutive state titles from 2008 to 2010 and also reached the state championship game in 2011. The Huskies also won in 2006 and claimed the Fiesta Region Championship in 11 of the past 12 years and 10 straight since 2002.

About Parnell Park: A Gaelic Athletic Association venue in Donnycarney in the northside suburbs of Dublin, the venue has a capacity of 11,500 and is nicknamed The Nell. The ground hosts the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship, All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship, Railway Cup Dublin Cup Championships and is used by Dublin’s inter-county teams and as a training ground for major games being played at Croke Park.

About University College Dublin (UCD): One of Europe’s leading research-intensive universities where undergraduate education, postgraduate masters and PhD training, research, innovation and community engagement form a dynamic continuum of activity.

The university was established in 1854 by John Henry Newman whose classic work ‘The Idea of a University’ is one of the most enduring texts on the value of higher education and a source of inspiration for UCD’s current educational philosophy.

Today UCD is Ireland’s largest university with almost 25,000 students. It is the most popular destination for Irish school-leavers and actively promotes university life as a journey of academic and personal discovery through its highly innovative and flexible UCD Horizons undergraduate curriculum.

The University¹s Elite Athlete Academy and Sports Scholarship Program has established UCD as the preferred choice for athletes who wish to compete and succeed at the highest sporting levels while simultaneously attaining a degree at UCD. The programme supports high calibre athletes striving for sporting and academic success to allow them to reach their maximum potential inside and outside the classroom.

About the Irish American Football Association (IAFA): The National Governing Body for American Football in Ireland is recognised by the Irish Sports Council and the Federation of Irish Sports. It is affiliated to the European Federation of American Football (EFAF) and the International Federation of American Football (IFAF). The Irish American Football League (IAFL) plays adult, full contact American football U.S. college football rules and has also established an 8v8 league to allow new teams to progress.

Top U.S. High School Football Teams To Play at Páirc Tailteann

admin — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 14:30:26 +0000

Top U.S. high school American football teams from Arizona and Philadelphia to play regular season-opener at Páirc Tailteann in Navan, Ireland, on August 31

Local team the Trim Bulldogs welcomes Notre Dame Prep, Father Judge and fans to a ‘Feile Americana’ five-day festival as Greater Dublin embraces Global Ireland Football Tournament

Two top high school American football teams from the United States will open their regular season at the famous Páirc Tailteann, home of Meath Gaelic Football and Hurling in Ireland, on Friday, August 31 as part of the Global Ireland Football Tournament (GIFT) 2012.

The clash between the Notre Dame Preparatory High School Saints from Scottsdale, Arizona, and Father Judge High School Crusaders of Philadelphia will kick off at 7.30pm local time in Navan. Two more traveling teams, who will open the two-game festival of American football at the 20,000-capacity venue at 4pm, will be announced soon at www.GIFT2012.com.

“The great bond between our two nations is well documented,” said Meath GAA Cathaoirleach (President) Bernard Allen. “I trust our visitors will enjoy their historic visit to an equally historic county. Coiste na Mí (County Meath) is determined to make their stay an unforgettable one.

“Páirc Tailteann has hosted many great games since it opened in 1935. Australian youth teams played in the Navan venue, so the United States teams will be joining an elite group of great sports personnel who will display all that is good in sport. We hope the memories they will take with them from the Royal County will endure well into the future.”

The ‘double-header’ at the historic GAA stadium is one of three American football showcases that day featuring a total of 12 teams from Arizona, California, Connecticut, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Texas and Wisconsin being staged at three different venues in and around Dublin. The games will be played on the eve of the Emerald Isle Classic being played at the AVIVA Stadium between Notre Dame and Navy.

The Irish American Football Association (IAFA) endorses the GIFT 2012 event and one of their member teams, the Trim Bulldogs, County Meath’s first and only American football club, will provide support for the games at Páirc Tailteann. With more than 40,000 gridiron fans expected to travel to Ireland in the last week of August, the Bulldogs will add to the celebrations by holding the ‘Feile Americana’. The 5-day festival will showcase the very best of music, arts and cuisine from both sides of the Atlantic from August 29 to September 2.

Bulldogs head coach Garland Drake said: “I am delighted to hear GIFT 2012 has confirmed their commitment to Meath, the Royal County, to play two competitive games in Páirc Tailteann. This will heighten how popular American football is becoming in Ireland. It is truly an honor for County Meath to have been chosen as a destination for Global Ireland Football Tournament 2012, which is so aptly named.”

Other events over the weekend will include a Gala Dinner and Charity Auction and an exhibition game featuring County Meath’s very own Trim Bulldogs.

The GIFT visiting teams will immerse themselves in the local community during the event. Notre Dame Prep will hold public training sessions at the GAA fields in Trim and the Saints will also stay in the town’s Knightsbrook Hotel Spa & Golf Resort. One of the other teams playing in Navan as part of the GIFT event will stay at the New Grange Hotel there, a bedroom community west of Dublin, and local schools will be encouraged to form a cultural exchange with their American counterparts.

Patrick Steenberge, President of GIFT 2012 organizer Global Football said: “I have been in Ireland numerous times with many teams and only recently had an opportunity to visit County Meath. The people there are just what we Americans all think of when we think of the Irish: warm, friendly, proud and engaging.

“Trim is just a lovely drive from Dublin and boasts the largest Norman castle in Ireland, with the Boyne River flowing through it, and their burgeoning American football team will insure our games in nearby Navan will be well-attended. Páirc Tailteann Stadium is an ideal showcase for our games.”

The teams:

Notre Dame Prep won back-to-back Arizona Class 4A Division II championships in 2007 and 2008 and just missed out on the championship in 2010, losing a heartbreaking 49-48 game to Williams Field, then made the first round of the playoffs in 2011.

Philadelphia’s Father Judge High School’s team finished with a won 7 lost 4 record in 2011. The football program, which competes in the Philadelphia Catholic 4-A league, has won five championships (1964, 1975, 1981, 1983, 1984) and most recently reached the championship game in 2008.

About Páirc Tailteann: The Gaelic Athletic Association stadium in Navan, County Meath, Ireland, is the home of the Meath Gaelic football and Hurling teams. The ground has a capacity of between 30,000 and 33,000 and is the venue of the annual Meath GAA club championship finals of which the winners receive the Keegan Cup (for Football) and the Jubilee Cup (for Hurling). It is the principal GAA stadium in County Meath, which boasts 60 GAA clubs, and was opened in 1935.

About the Irish Association of American Football (IAFA): The National Governing Body for American Football in Ireland is recognised by the Irish Sports Council and the Federation of Irish Sports. It is affiliated to the European Federation of American Football (EFAF) and the International Federation of American Football (IFAF). The Irish American Football League (IAFL) plays adult, full contact American football U.S. college football rules and has also established an 8v8 league to allow new teams to progress.

GIFT Football Programs Lose Out in State Championship Games in Illinois and Arizona

admin — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 13:25:56 +0000

Dublin-bound Hamilton High School and Loyola Academy fell short in their respective state championship games in Arizona and Illinois this weekend.

Teams from Arizona, California, Connecticut, Illinois, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas and Wisconsin will play in three doubleheader matches staged in three different stadiums in Dublin, making up the Global Ireland Football Tournament on Friday, August 31. The following day, the University of Notre Dame and U.S. Naval Academy clash at the city’s Aviva Stadium on Saturday, September 1.

“The fact that two of our teams were competing for state championships underlines the quality of high school football that will be showcased in Ireland next summer,” said GIFT 2012 organizer Patrick Steenberge. “The next time these players pull on the pads for a competitive game it will be under the Friday Night Lights in Dublin and that is a very exciting prospect for sports fans in Ireland, as well as for those thousands of Americans heading there for a historic football weekend.”

Loyola Academy Ramblers from Wilmette, IL, were defeated 21-17 by Bolingbrook in the 8A Illinois State finals on Saturday, November 26. Loyola opened the game scoring on a 25-yard rushing touchdown with 3:15 left in the first quarter but Bolingbrook replied with back-to-back touchdowns.

The Ramblers scored late in the half on a quarterback keeper as the two teams headed into the half tied 14-14. Loyola then connected on an IHSA 8A title game record 40-yard field goal to take a 17-14 lead, but in the third quarter, Bolingbrook took the lead for good to claim their first state championship title.

“We had a great year, but we just couldn’t finish,” said Loyola quarterback Malcolm Weaver. “We set a school record for wins. We did well. We just needed to finish that one game.” Loyola will kick off their 2012 season in Dublin vs a very talented team from Jesuit Prep of Dallas, Texas.

Loyola (13-1) has a long playoff history, having previously been to the state title game twice. They finished second in Class 6A in 2991 and won the 6A crown in 1993. This season, the Ramblers defeated Glenbard North in the semifinals to advance to the state title contest.

Hamilton High School, from Chandler, Arizona, fell to Desert Vista 45-19 in the Division 1 Arizona State championship to end the nation’s longest active winning streak at 53 games at the University of Phoenix stadium. Earlier this season, the Huskies defeated the Thunder 35-10. Hamilton had won six of the last eight state titles including three consecutive state championships.

Hamilton’s Kendyl Taylor’s final game was sensational as he caught 11 passes for 123 yards and two touchdowns. Quarterback Blake Kemp finished the game with 267 yards and three touchdowns and two interceptions.

The Huskies, led by head coach Steve Belles, will look to start a new streak in Ireland as they will open their 2012 football season in Dublin as part of the 2012 Global Ireland Football Tournament on August 31 against the powerful Notre Dame High School from Sherman Oaks, California.

Elsewhere among GIFT-bound schools, Father Judge defeated Abraham Lincoln 48-7 in their annual Thanksgiving game. The Philadelphia-based school, led by head coach Tom Coyle, finished the 2011 season 7-4.

Venues and kickoff times for all GIFT games will be announced later this year and details of the event and participating teams can be found at the website www.GIFT2012.com.

Organizer Global Football has been the world’s primary exporter and producer of American football played overseas since 1996, and never before has such a large number of U.S. teams traveled and played in one country, on one day. Being linked to the Fighting Irish and Midshipmen weekend makes this even more special for the players, coaches and followers who are eagerly preparing for this exciting historic week.

Former Notre Dame All-American and Green Bay Packers first round draft pick Mike McCoy will serve as an Honorary Chairman for the Global Ireland Football Tournament (GIFT) 2012.

McCoy is a native of Erie, Pennsylvania and a graduate of Cathedral Prep High School. He graduated from the University of Notre Dame with a BA in Economics where he played football and was a Consensus All-American. He was the UPI Lineman of the year and was sixth in the Heisman Trophy balloting his senior year. He was the number one draft choice of the Green Bay Packers where he played defensive tackle during an 11-year NFL career, spending seven with Green Bay, two with the Oakland Raiders and two with the New York Giants.

For information about the Global Ireland Football Tournament 2012 please visit www.GIFT2012.com or email Patrick@GlobalFootball.com. All team and fan travel for GIFT is being expertly handled by Anthony Travel, who also manages all team and fan travel for the Notre Dame and Navy. Contact Sheldon Baxter, sheldonbaxter@anthonytravel.com for details, or visit www.anthonytravel.com/globalfootball/gift.

GIFT teams scores: November 24-26

Hamilton High School (Chandler, AZ):
Desert Vista 45 @ Hamilton 19 (Arizona Division 1 Championship game)

Loyola Academy (Wilmette, IL):
Bolingbrook 21 @ Loyola 17 (8A Illinois State Championship)

Father Judge (Philadelphia, PA):
Father Judge 48 @ Abraham Lincoln 7

GIFT Bound Teams Claim Playoff Victories in Illinois & Arizona

admin — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 01:12:45 +0000

Hamilton High School from Chandler, Arizona, and Loyola Academy of Wilmette, Illinois, will continue their playoff journey as both teams claimed victories this past weekend.

Hamilton and Chandler are among American football high school and college teams from Arizona, California, Connecticut, Illinois, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas and Wisconsin that will play in three doubleheader matches staged in three different stadiums in Dublin, making up the Global Ireland Football Tournament on Friday, August 31. The following day, the University of Notre Dame and U.S. Naval Academy clash at the city’s Aviva Stadium on Saturday, September 1.

Hamilton (Chandler, AZ) shut-out local rival Chandler High School 28-0 in the second round of the Arizona State high school playoffs for their 52nd straight win which is just nine short of the state record. Hamilton has only allowed seven points combined in its last three games and the offense has scored 124 points. Hamilton will now face Mesa Desert Ridge.

“They don’t want to be the group that lets ones before them down – the one that ends the streak,” said Hamilton head coach Steve Belles of his program’s latest victory.

Loyola Academy will continue their playoff journey after defeating Lyons 33-10 in the Class 8A Illinois quarterfinals and will now face Glenbard North in the semifinals on Saturday, November 19. The Ramblers had an explosive first quarter scoring 20 straight points.

Kent School from Connecticut won their sixth straight game to remain undefeated beating Loomis Chaffee 32-30 with their closest margin of victory this season. Dallas Jesuit just fell short in the opening round of the Texas High School 5A Division II playoffs as they were topped 49-42 by Sachse.

Notre Dame Prep (Scottsdale, AZ) fell in the first round of the DII AIA Arizona State Playoffs, losing 21-14 to Ironwood Ridge. Notre Dame High (Sherman Oaks, CA) lost to Alemany 21-14 to end their 2011 season.

John Carroll University fell short in its bid to retain the Cuyahoga Gold Bowl, dropping a 45-37 decision to host and western cross-town rival Baldwin-Wallace. The loss ends the Blue Steaks 2011 season and sees them finish with a 5-5 record.

Venues and kickoff times for all GIFT games will be announced soon and details of the event and participating teams can be found at the website www.GIFT2012.com.

Former Notre Dame All-American and Green Bay Packers first round draft pick Mike McCoy will serve as an Honorary Chairman for the Global Ireland Football Tournament (GIFT) 2012.

For information about the Global Ireland Football Tournament 2012 please visit www.GIFT2012.com or email Patrick@GlobalFootball.com. All team and fan travel for GIFT is being expertly handled by Anthony Travel, who also manages all team and fan travel for the Notre Dame and Navy. Contact Sheldon Baxter, sheldonbaxter@anthonytravel.com for details, or visit www.anthonytravel.com/globalfootball/gift.

GIFT teams scores: November 10-12

Hamilton High School (Chandler, AZ):
Chandler 0 @ Hamilton 28 (Playoffs)
Next Week: 11/17 vs. Desert Ridge (Playoffs)

Notre Dame Prep (Scottsdale, AZ):
Ironwood Ridge 21 @ Notre Dame Prep 14

Notre Dame High School (Sherman Oaks, CA):
Notre Dame High 14 @ Alemany 21

Dallas Jesuit (Dallas, TX):
Sachse 49 @ Dallas Jesuit 42 (Playoffs)

Loyola Academy (Wilmette, IL):
Lyons 10 @ Loyola 33 (Playoffs)
Next Week: 11/19 vs. Glenbard North

Father Judge (Philadelphia, PA):
No Game
Next Game: 11/24 @Abraham Lincoln

Kent School (Kent, CT):
11/12 Kent School 32 @ Loomis Chaffee 30

John Carroll University:
JCU 37 @ Baldwin-Wallace 45

GIFT Football Programs Claim Playoff Victories in Illinois and Arizona

admin — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 04:06:14 +0000

Three schools that will participate in the 2012 GIFT (Global Ireland Football Tournament) recorded playoff victories this past weekend as Loyola Academy advanced to their quarterfinals and Hamilton High School and Notre Dame Prep moved on to the second round.

Loyola Academy (11-0) from Wilmette, IL, shut-out Dunbar 29-0 in the Class 8A Illinois playoffs to earn a spot in the quarterfinals where the Ramblers will face Lyons.

Hamilton High School from Chandler, Arizona, defeated Valley Vista 37-7 and will now face Chandler High School in the Arizona Division I quarterfinals. Hamilton, who finished the regular season undefeated, beat Chandler 28-21 earlier this year.

Notre Dame Prep from Scottsdale, AZ, defeated Salpointe Catholic 33-14 in the first round of the DII AIA Arizona State Playoffs and will now face Ironwood Ridge on November 10.

Dallas Jesuit ended their regular season on a high note, defeating Sunset 40-12 to improve to 8-2 and will now face Sachse in the opening round of the Texas High School 5A Division II playoffs.

Father Judge from Philadelphia, PA, fell to La Salle College 26-16. Their final game of the season will be an annual Thanksgiving game on November 24 against Abraham Lincoln.

St. Norbert College clinched its 13th consecutive season with at least seven wins thanks to a 41-6 win against Lake Forest College in a Midwest Conference game. Future Dublin opponent John Carroll fell to Heidelberg University 41-28. The Blue Streaks will look to end the 2011 season on a positive note in their final game of the year against Baldwin-Wallace on Saturday, November 12.

Venues and kickoff times for all GIFT games, which are being organized in association with the Irish American Football Association, will be announced during the fall football season and details of the event and participating teams can be found at the website www.GIFT2012.com.

Former Notre Dame All-American and Green Bay Packers first round draft pick Mike McCoy will serve as an Honorary Chairman for the Global Ireland Football Tournament (GIFT) 2012.

He was the UPI Lineman of the year and was sixth in the Heisman Trophy balloting his senior year. He was the number one draft choice of the Green Bay Packers where he played defensive tackle during an 11-year NFL career, spending seven with Green Bay, two with the Oakland Raiders and two with the New York Giants.

For information about the Global Ireland Football Tournament 2012 please visit www.GIFT2012.com or email Patrick@GlobalFootball.com. All team and fan travel for GIFT is being expertly handled by Anthony Travel, who also manages all team and fan travel for the Notre Dame and Navy. Contact Sheldon Baxter, sheldonbaxter@anthonytravel.com for details, or visit www.anthonytravel.com/globalfootball/gift.

GIFT teams scores: November 4-5

Hamilton High School (Chandler, AZ):
Valley Vista 7 @ Hamilton 37
Next Week: 11/10 Home vs. Chandler (Playoffs)

Notre Dame Prep (Scottsdale, AZ):
Salpointe Catholic 14 Notre Dame Prep 33
Next Week: 11/10 @ Ironwood Ridge

Notre Dame High School (Sherman Oaks, CA):
Notre Dame 17 @ Bishop Amat 12
Next Week: 11/11 @ Alemany

Dallas Jesuit (Dallas, TX):
Dallas Jesuit 40 @ Sunset 12
Next Week: 11/10 @ Sachse (Playoffs)

Loyola Academy (Wilmette, IL):
Dunbar 0 @ Loyola Academy 29
Next Week: 11/10 Home vs. Lyons (Playoffs)

Father Judge (Philadelphia, PA):
Father Judge 16 @ La Salle College 26
Next Game: 11/24 @Abraham Lincoln

Kent School (Kent, CT):
Next Week: 11/12 @ Loomis Chaffee

John Carroll University:
JCU 28 @ Heidelberg University 41
Next Game: 11/12 @ Baldwin-Wallace

St. Norbert College:
SNC 41 @ Lake Forest College 6