Teams OF Gaelic footballers from Europe, the United States, Britain and Canada will take part in an international tournament in Dublin in the lead-up to the All-Ireland final between Galway and Kildare.
In all, 10 teams will take part and there will be a four-team women's tournament as well with teams from New York, the North American Board, London and Canada.
The St Vincent's club in Dublin will host both tournaments which will take place between September 21st and September 25th. The European team will consist of players from Paris, Dusseldorf, The Hague, Brussels, Luxembourg and Guernsey. The tournament was previously held in 1994 and '96 with North America winning on both occasions. In all some 250 players as well as officials will be taking part in the event.
Welcoming the involvement of so many Irish people domiciled abroad, the president of the GAA Joe McDonagh said: "This is a manifestation of the expanding organisation of GAA activity abroad. The GAA has been the single most significant bonding agent for our emigrants over successive generations".
The Minister for Sport, Dr Jim McDaid, has congratulated the GAA on the organisation of such a tournament. The final of the women's tournament is fixed for Parnell Park on Friday, September 25th at 2.00 p.m. and the men's final follows at 3.30 p.m. All participants will be taken on a tour of the new museum at Croke Park.
Meanwhile, the sponsors of the All-Ireland series Bank of Ireland have announced that The Saw Doctors will top the bill at the street concert called `The Final Fling' in College Green on the eve of the match.
