Pan European Gaelic finals attracting over 350 players to Limerick

OVER 350 players from across the continent are set to compete in this weekend’s Pan European Gaelic finals in Limerick.

Twenty six men’s and ladies teams from cities like Zurich, The Hague, Toulouse, Brussels, Amsterdam, Gothenburg, Munich, Copenhagen, Paris & Valencia will be in action in the 2011 European City of Sports.

The competition will feature 18 men’s teams which are split into championship and shield divisions, with the games taking place Saturday at the University of Limerick from 9am with the finals fixed for 4.30pm in the Gaelic Grounds.

Entry is free to the games and a banquet for almost 450 people will take place in the Strand Hotel later that evening.

“This is our 11th finals and the first time we have brought the event home to Ireland,” remarked European GAA board secretary Tony Bass. “It offers a great opportunity for the ex-pat community to come home to Ireland and play in front of friends and family. Even more exciting, is the fact that the majority of our teams include non Irish nationals who have fallen in love with gaelic games and now have a chance to visit Ireland for the first time to play competitive games. I’d like to thank the Limerick County Board for playing host to the event and making this year’s Pan European finals our biggest and most special to date.”

Men’s Championship: The Hague, Guernsey Gaels, Valencia, Stockholm Gaels, Belgium and Luxembourg.

Men’s Shield: Amsterdam A+B, Belgium B, Guernsey B, Copenhagen, Frankfurt, Gothenburg, Lyon, Luxembourg B, Niort/Clermont, Toulouse, Zurich/St.Gallen.

Ladies Championship: Barcelona, Belgium A, Belgium B, Holland Ladies, Munich, Niort/Copenhagen/Gothenburg, Paris, Stockholm.