Geraghty to compete for Tara’s High King title

Meath GAA legend Graham Geraghty is to make an All-Ireland come-back of his own this month when he competes for the new High King of Tara title.

The All-Star athlete is one of 13 contestants from all over the world who will take part in the Tara High Kings Festival.

The event will see competitors emulate the feats of the Fianna in a spectacular show of pomp and ceremony.

Geraghty will face stiff competition from Scotland and Russia which will be represented by youth worker Jennifer McLean and Russian lawyer Vitaliy Negoda. Both have Irish backgrounds and are keen Gaelic fans.

Jennifer is one of three women competing in the games which will also include director of Foundation Nepal, Nicky Deasy and national secretary of the Irish Women’s Boxing Association Antoinette Faye.

World Transplant Games winner Darren Cawley will travel from Mayo, representing the Irish Kidney Association and members of the emergency services will also take on the challenge. MC will be Brian Dunphy of the Irish ballad group High Kings. The winner will be the first High King to be announced at Tara for nearly a millennium.

Based on the legendary trials of the Fianna, the contestants will have to sprint 60m while taking a thorn out of their foot, zig-zag a two-foot high balance beam carrying a shield and hazel rod and run over willow garden screening without breaking a twig.

As well as other tasks, they will also have to finish a section of a waist-high ring-fence and then defend themselves from nine people throwing foam javelins.

Tara High Kings Festival takes place on Sat Sept 14th 12-5pm on #Hill of Tara. More info http://t.co/99GpfqH0vD

— Meath County Council (@meathcoco) September 3, 2013

The competition takes place on Saturday, Sep 14. See tarahighkingfestival.iefor more.