Ireland’s Finest Hurling Teams to Compete for Championship at AIG Fenway Hurling Classic and Irish Festival as Third Match and New Tournament Format Are Announced
World’s “fastest field sport” returns to iconic Fenway Park with
Dublin, Galway, Tipperary and Clare competing in day-long championship;
Tickets on sale at www.redsox.com/hurling
Boston, MA (October 4, 2017) – Building off the wildly popular 2015 Fenway match, Fenway Sports Management (FSM) announced that the AIG Fenway Hurling Classic and Irish Festival will debut a new three-game tournament championship format when hurling returns to Fenway Park on Sunday, November 19. Previously a doubleheader, the tournament will now feature four of the most prominent teams in the world vying for a championship trophy at one of the most iconic sports venues in the world. Tickets for the AIG Fenway Hurling Classic and Irish Festival, which include all three games of the tournament, are available at www.redsox.com/hurling.
FSM, in partnership with American International Group (AIG), the Gaelic Players Association (GPA), and the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA), will bring ‘Ireland’s Ancient Warrior Sport’ back to Fenway for the second time in three years after a 61-year absence dating back to 1954. The AIG Fenway Hurling Classic and Irish Festival will feature the very best and most competitive Hurling rivals from Ireland beginning at 12:30 p.m. ET as 2017 League and All-Ireland Champions Galway and Dublin square off in a highly-anticipated rematch of their 2015 battle, while Tipperary will take the pitch versus Clare in the other preliminary match up. The winners of the two preliminary games will face-off in the championship match to determine the tournament winner at 3:00 p.m. ET.
“The strong demand and positive response to the inaugural AIG Fenway Hurling Classic in 2015 prompted us to make this year’s event even bigger and better,” said Fenway Sports Management Managing Director Mark Lev. “The game’s exciting combination of speed, skill, constant action and scoring has really resonated with fans. We’re excited to announce the addition of a third match and the introduction of the new tournament format, which will result in one team hoisting our inaugural trophy. This will be a can’t-miss day on the New England sports calendar and we’re grateful to partners AIG, the GPA and GAA for enabling us to add yet another dynamic event to an already compelling off-season line-up at Fenway Park.”
Hurling, widely believed to be the world’s oldest field game, combines agility, strength and intensity, earning it the reputation as the “fastest game on grass” among its loyal and passionate followers. Title sponsor AIG has been an official sponsor to Dublin GAA since November 2013 and has been committed to raising the profile of hurling and other Gaelic Games to a broader global audience.
“Along with the championship trophy, there will be an intense Irish pride for counties competing in the final match,” said GPA Chief Executive Officer Dermot Earley. “The new tournament format is going to bring the best out of four brilliant teams. It will be an unforgettable day for fans, players and the sport of hurling as a whole.”
In addition to the Hurling Classic, AIG and FSM have teamed up to offer attendees a lively Irish festival complete with Irish food, music and dancing. Additional details about the Irish Festival will be continuously posted at the event website. Furthermore, Aer Lingus has signed on as the Official Airline of the AIG Fenway Hurling Classic and Irish Festival and will transport the four teams from Ireland to Boston as well as presenting the stream of the doubleheader in November. For more details on the AIG Fenway Hurling Classic and Irish Festival and ticket information, please visit www.redsox.com/hurling.
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About Fenway Sports Management (FSM)
Fenway Sports Management (FSM) is a global sports marketing firm that specializes in partnership sales, consulting and the creation of unique and memorable events and experiences.
A wholly owned subsidiary of Fenway Sports Group, FSM is a part of an elite family of properties that includes some of the most storied names and venues in all of sports including the Boston Red Sox, Liverpool Football Club, New England Sports Network and Roush Fenway Racing. For further information visit Fenway Sports Management.
About American International Group, Inc. (AIG)
American International Group, Inc. (AIG) is a leading global insurance organization. Founded in 1919, today AIG member companies provide a wide range of property casualty insurance, life insurance, retirement products, and other financial services to customers in more than 80 countries and jurisdictions. These diverse offerings include products and services that help businesses and individuals protect their assets, manage risks and provide for retirement security. AIG common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange and the Tokyo Stock Exchange.
Additional information about AIG can be found at www.aig.com | YouTube: www.youtube.com/aig | Twitter: @AIGinsurance www.twitter.com/AIGinsurance | LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/aig. These references with additional information about AIG have been provided as a convenience, and the information contained on such websites is not incorporated by reference into this press release.
AIG is the marketing name for the worldwide property-casualty, life and retirement, and general insurance operations of American International Group, Inc. For additional information, please visit our website at www.aig.com. All products and services are written or provided by subsidiaries or affiliates of American International Group, Inc. Products or services may not be available in all countries, and coverage is subject to actual policy language. Non-insurance products and services may be provided by independent third parties. Certain property-casualty coverages may be provided by a surplus lines insurer. Surplus lines insurers do not generally participate in state guaranty funds, and insureds are therefore not protected by such funds.
About the Gaelic Players Association (GPA)
The Gaelic Players Association (GPA) is a not‐for‐profit organization supporting Ireland’s elite amateur county Gaelic footballers and hurlers. With over 2000 current playing members and expanding alumni, the GPA supports its athletes through the provision of a comprehensive Personal Development Program. The aim of the program – which covers personal development coaching, education and training, career coaching, leadership development and health and wellbeing – is to make a meaningful difference to the lives of our athletes outside the sports, encourage their long-term personal development and ensure that they realise their potential. The GPA is dedicated to players throughout their lives and guided by the principles of excellence, commitment, compassion, diversity and transparency. We strive to ensure that all our players achieve their personal best in all aspects of their lives.
About the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA)
The Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) was founded in 1884, and is Ireland’s largest sporting organization. It is celebrated as one of the great amateur sporting associations in the world. It is part of the Irish consciousness and plays an influential role in Irish society that extends far beyond the basic aim of promoting Gaelic games.
Media Contacts
Keith Gainsboro, Elevate Communications: 617-895-7905, kgainsboro@elevatecom.com
Karen Thorpe, GPA Communications: +353 1 681 4251, karen@gaelicplayers.com