Hurling back in Fenway Park after 61 years

The Dublin and Galway hurling squads depart Dublin and Shannon airports this morning aboard Aer Lingus flights bound for Boston, ahead of Sunday's AIG Fenway Hurling Classic and Irish Festival. The two teams face each other at the iconic Fenway Park Stadium in Super 11s hurling.

Super 11s has been devised by the GAA and GPA specifically to allow hurling be played at stadia abroad where the standard GAA pitch length could not be accommodated. It allows the opportunity to promote the game and the players internationally. It was first played at the University of Notre Dame in 2013.

Ger Cunningham and his Dublin squad were accompanied by members of his new backroom committee including selectors Patsy Morrissey and Liam Walsh. All-Ireland finalists Galway squad are being led on the trip by Damien Coleman, Malachy Hanley and Tex Callaghan.

Over 25,000 tickets have been sold for Sunday's game making it the biggest Gaelic games event overseas since the 1947 All-Ireland football final at the Polo Grounds in New York when Cavan defeated Kerry. Hurling was last played in Fenway Park in 1954 when then All-Ireland champions Cork took on an American all-Star selection with Cork coming out on top.

The game will form part of an Irish Festival at Fenway Park on that weekend where all aspects of Irish culture and music will be celebrated. It will be played the day after Boston College take on the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame at Fenway Park in a much anticipated college football game. The renowned band the Dropkick Murphys will also be playing at the festival.

The game will be broadcast on live television in the Boston area and also streamed live across America. TG4 will broadcast the game live here at home. Their broadcast commences at 6.10pm on Sunday evening.TG4 will also broadcast a documentary on the whole trip in association with AIG and secondary sponsors Aer Lingus on Sunday, November 29th at 6.05pm.

Speaking ahead of departure General Manager of AIG in Ireland, Declan O'Rourke said; "The AIG Fenway Hurling Classic and Irish Festival is something we are very, very proud to sponsor. We are delighted to be able to bring Ireland's national game to one of America's and indeed the world's most iconic stadiums.

"Boston has been and remains a home away from home for huge numbers of Irish people down through the years and I'm sure seeing hurling played at Fenway Park will be a massive source of pride for all those people living in Boston but with roots here in Ireland.

"As a sponsor, AIG is committed to promote development of our national games in Ireland and abroad. The AIG Fenway Hurling Classic is a clear statement of AIG's commitment to both the Irish and Boston markets.

Both markets are very important for AIG, with employee numbers of over 700 people in the Boston area and close to 850 people in Ireland".

Speaking on behalf of the GAA, Ard Stiúrthóir Chumann Lúthchleas Gael, Páraic Duffy added; "This is another huge opportunity for us to promote our games to an overseas audience. The number of tickets that have been sold for this game has probably surpassed all our expectations and it shows the interest that is there in our games.

"I'd like to thank AIG, Aer Lingus, the Dublin and Galway county boards and players and our partners in the GPA for all the work that has gone in to bring this game about".

Speaking on behalf of the GPA, Chairman Dónal Óg Cusack said: "With 25,000 tickets sold and the potential for thousands more across America to see this game live either on television or via live streaming the AIG Fenway Hurling Classic is a truly wonderful opportunity for us to exhibit hurling to an international audience.

"We are committed to bringing what we believe is one of the world's best sports to as many new audiences as possible and this is another step in that process and what a step to be able to take".

Aer Lingus Chief Executive Stephen Kavanagh said; "The introduction of one of our native games, to an iconic venue, in our home from home is an opportunity Aer Lingus is delighted to support. We are delighted to welcome the Galway and Dublin Hurling teams on board our Boston services today as they make their way to Fenway for what promises to be a memorable event. A night that is sure to challenge the score keepers on the green monster!'

Throw in at Fenway Park for the AIG Fenway hurling Classic is at 1.15pm local time on Sunday, that's 6.15pm here at home.

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