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Football at Dougherty.
By Peter McDermott
Philadelphia is looking forward to hosting the North American County Gaelic Athletic Championship Finals this coming Labor Day weekend; Friday, August 31 through Sunday, September 2 in Pennypack Park, 7777 State Road, Philadelphia.
The venue is located along the banks of the Delaware River in the Northeast section of the city. Gaels from all over North America–stretching from Toronto to Texas, Vancouver to Virginia, Denver to D.C., San Francisco to Seattle, and Boston to the Big Apple–will converge on the City of Brotherly Love. George Washington led his troops across this same Delaware River into battle with the Hessians in 1776. Now 236 years later, we will see captains leading their respective clubs into action in pursuit of the North American medals and trophies.
Many of the teams are still in divisional championship contests, so the list of teams will be forthcoming when results are in.
There will be five fields of non-stop action, with the women participating in camogie and Gaelic football, and the men in Gaelic football and hurling. From the early hours of the morning to early evening, the playoff brackets will wind down to the finals, which take place on Sunday. Don’t miss the quarter- and semi-finals throughout Friday and Saturday–some great rivalries will be re-ignited. Shield competitions will be held in select competitions for clubs which are eliminated.
Attendees can enjoy a Taste of Philly while cheering on their favorite teams. Jim’s Steaks, serving up Cheesesteaks in Philadelphia for over 70 years, will be on-site. We will also have breakfast sandwiches, Irish breakfast, Irish scones, and coffee and tea to start your day. Burgers, chicken fingers, sausages, chicken curry, and chips will also be available. Wash it down with an energy drink, a stout, or a lager.
Take a break from the action and stop over at the O’Neills Apparel Tent where you can get the best gear straight from the Emerald Isle. O’Neills have been outfitting clubs and counties worldwide since 1918, and have been sponsors of the North American G.A.A. for a decade.
Most participants and supporters will be staying at the Sheraton of Downtown Philadelphia, in Center City, easily accessible to the Vine Street Expressway, and Interstate 95; just 15 minutes to the playoff pitches.
Tickets to the Event are available at a daily rate ($15 Friday, $20 on Saturday and Sunday) or a discounted weekend pass ($45). Children age 17 and under are admitted free.
Bus transportation will be provided, free of charge, from the hotel(s) to the fields. Regular schedules will be available and posted at the fields and the hotel(s).
For you out-of-towners: Unwind at nearby Irish restaurants and pubs. In the Northern Liberties section, along Spring Garden, you will find Finnigan’s Wake Irish Pub, three floors of fun with music and libations, late into the night. Downtown, across from Love Park, is Tír Na nÓg Irish Bar & Grill. Live music and dancing, coupled with a staff that wrote the book on debauchery. Additional venues will be profiled, closer to that weekend.
Updates of the official schedule are available on the North American G.A.A. website (www.NorthAmericanGAA.com). Also, links, and images of the schedule will be provided on the Philadelphia G.A.A. website .
Friday, August 31 • Schedule
Saturday, September 1 • Schedule
All proceeds will benefit the new GAA sports complex in Limerick, PA, which, when completed, will have two full-sized pitches, a clubhouse with offices and a function room, and locker rooms– a dream finally realized for Gaels throughout Philadelphia.
Check out this video about the new Irish Sports Complex coming to Limerick.
