International Hurling Festival in aid of Galway Hospice starts this Thursday!

Aer Lingus, in partnership with Etihad Airways, has invited teams from all over the world to compete in the first ever International Hurling Festival.  The best hurlers from the USA, South America, Canada, UK, Continental Europe, the Middle East and Australia will descend on Galway for a three-day festival of “ceol, craic agus cultúir”, as well as the first hurling competition of its kind.

The tournament will feature sixteen International teams competing in four groups of four, with the eventual winners crowned in Galway’s Pearse Stadium.  In support of The Gathering, Aer Lingus is bringing hurling fans from all over the world home to celebrate this national game in what promises to be one of the most unique and exciting sporting events of 2013.

Teams will be hosted in Loughrea, Gort, Athenry and Galway City. Qualifying games will take place on Thursday 19th and Friday 20th September with the final taking place in Pearse Stadium on Saturday the 21st of September.

Tickets are available for the Finals Day of the Aer Lingus and Etihad International Hurling Festival held at Pearse Stadium, Galway.  Entry to all qualifying matches, including those played in Loughrea, is free of charge.

• Adult tickets for the Final, priced at just €5, are now on sale from tickets.ie, Croke Park, Pearse Stadium and participating Centra and Supervalu Stores.
• Free entry for all U18’s

Pictured: John Hynes (CEO Galway GAA), Donal Lyons (Chairman Pearse Stadium Commitee), Joe Connolly (Galway Hospice), Mattie Kenny (Aer Lingus) with hurlers Eamon Brannigan and Eoin Kennedy at the annoucement that tickets are now on sale for the Aer Lingus and Etihad Airways International Hurling Festival (Photo: Reg Gordan).

All proceeds for the ticket sales for the Final will go to Galway Hospice.  Thank you for your support!