UCF To Open 2014 Season In Ireland

[Water Pony]

"UCF and Penn State, in conjunction with the Gaelic Athletic Association, will travel across the Atlantic Ocean to open the 2014 football season. The Croke Park Classic is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. ET Saturday, Aug, 30, 2014, in Dublin, Ireland, and will air on ESPN2."

I have been to Croke Park in Dublin and its tradition for the Irish with Gaelic FB and Hurling is unbelievable. Should be a great time for all and if we ever played, I would be there in shot.

http://theamerican.org/news/2013/7/14/F ... 33114.aspx

[Mustangsabu]

Carole Park is one of the great arenas in world sport. Thrilled to see that am AAC team will play there next year. If only it were my Ponies.

It truly is amazing how the GAA has changed in my lifetime. From allowing no "foreign" games to be played on its fields to this... Progress indeed

[RGV Pony]

Next thing you know aggy will allow peruna on Pyle Field

[ponyboy]

Coach O'Brien vs. Coach O'Leary

[PonySnob]

Would be a good win for the AAC!!

[Mustangsabu]

Coach O'Brien vs. Coach O'Leary

O'Brien's is the better pub though...

[East Coast Mustang]

I like the idea of international games for some teams, especially ND, and I like that UCF is scheduling a marquee game like this. I'd like for SMU to stay here in America, though.

[PonySnob]

I like the idea of international games for some teams, especially ND, and I like that UCF is scheduling a marquee game like this. I'd like for SMU to stay here in America, though.

It would be a great reward for the players...........just like playing in Hawaii.

[EastStang]

Will Penn State be bowl eligible by then? This may be in lieu of a bowl after the Sandusky penalty.

[Maryland78]

I went to the Navy vs. Notre Dame game last year in Dublin at Aviva Stadium...then saw the the GAA Championship game at Croke. Mayo vs. Dublin (Ireland's Super Bowl). Awesome atmosphere and awesome game. ESPN should air the GAA final every year...they would be surprised at the audience if they gave it a little pub before the game.

[Water Pony]

I went to the Navy vs. Notre Dame game last year in Dublin at Aviva Stadium...then saw the the GAA Championship game at Croke. Mayo vs. Dublin (Ireland's Super Bowl). Awesome atmosphere and awesome game. ESPN should air the GAA final every year...they would be surprised at the audience if they gave it a little pub before the game.

I watched a GAA (Gaelic football) game at Croke Park two years ago. I agree that the atmosphere was electric and the sport itself, GAA, is spectacular spectator sport. Lots of action and the play is continuous. Exhausting to watch them pursue every ball, opponent and shot. High skills required. Their conditioning is humbling, when you compare it to U.S. football, baseball, etc.

[SMU89]

I went to the Navy vs. Notre Dame game last year in Dublin at Aviva Stadium...then saw the the GAA Championship game at Croke. Mayo vs. Dublin (Ireland's Super Bowl). Awesome atmosphere and awesome game. ESPN should air the GAA final every year...they would be surprised at the audience if they gave it a little pub before the game.

I watched a GAA (Gaelic football) game at Croke Park two years ago. I agree that the atmosphere was electric and the sport itself, GAA, is spectacular spectator sport. Lots of action and the play is continuous. Exhausting to watch them pursue every ball, opponent and shot. High skills required. Their conditioning is humbling, when you compare it to U.S. football, baseball, etc.

Saw a match there several years ago. Very physical and, correct me if I'm wrong, the players are regular O'Tools with a day job. You might see your butcher, local bartender, or accountant on the pitch. Regardless, is that June Jones coaching the Dublin team?

[Lebanese4Life]

I went to the Navy vs. Notre Dame game last year in Dublin at Aviva Stadium...then saw the the GAA Championship game at Croke. Mayo vs. Dublin (Ireland's Super Bowl). Awesome atmosphere and awesome game. ESPN should air the GAA final every year...they would be surprised at the audience if they gave it a little pub before the game.

I watched a GAA (Gaelic football) game at Croke Park two years ago. I agree that the atmosphere was electric and the sport itself, GAA, is spectacular spectator sport. Lots of action and the play is continuous. Exhausting to watch them pursue every ball, opponent and shot. High skills required. Their conditioning is humbling, when you compare it to U.S. football, baseball, etc.

You couldn't think of a better example to illustrate good conditioning than baseball?? Come on.. I love the sport, but ball players do not move much.

[Water Pony]

I went to the Navy vs. Notre Dame game last year in Dublin at Aviva Stadium...then saw the the GAA Championship game at Croke. Mayo vs. Dublin (Ireland's Super Bowl). Awesome atmosphere and awesome game. ESPN should air the GAA final every year...they would be surprised at the audience if they gave it a little pub before the game.

I watched a GAA (Gaelic football) game at Croke Park two years ago. I agree that the atmosphere was electric and the sport itself, GAA, is spectacular spectator sport. Lots of action and the play is continuous. Exhausting to watch them pursue every ball, opponent and shot. High skills required. Their conditioning is humbling, when you compare it to U.S. football, baseball, etc.

You couldn't think of a better example to illustrate good conditioning than baseball?? Come on.. I love the sport, but ball players do not move much.

You misinterpreted my post. I was endorsing the GAA athletes, not baseball's level of conditioning compared to other sports. ;-D

[Water Pony]

I went to the Navy vs. Notre Dame game last year in Dublin at Aviva Stadium...then saw the the GAA Championship game at Croke. Mayo vs. Dublin (Ireland's Super Bowl). Awesome atmosphere and awesome game. ESPN should air the GAA final every year...they would be surprised at the audience if they gave it a little pub before the game.

I watched a GAA (Gaelic football) game at Croke Park two years ago. I agree that the atmosphere was electric and the sport itself, GAA, is spectacular spectator sport. Lots of action and the play is continuous. Exhausting to watch them pursue every ball, opponent and shot. High skills required. Their conditioning is humbling, when you compare it to U.S. football, baseball, etc.

Saw a match there several years ago. Very physical and, correct me if I'm wrong, the players are regular O'Tools with a day job. You might see your butcher, local bartender, or accountant on the pitch. Regardless, is that June Jones coaching the Dublin team?

You are correct. Gaelic football players are amateurs with day jobs. All the more impressive. (I concede that many of the employers seek these opportunities to support the sport.