UCD IS SET to host a Global American Football tournament this summer in conjunction with the upcoming Croke Park Classic.
The Penn Manor Comets and Cedar Cliff Colts — two teams from Pennsylvania — are set to face each other on 29 August at 7pm in the Belfield Bowl, with both sides being granted use of the university’s facilities in the week prior to the game.
The sides last met in the first round of the 2013 Pennsylvania State High School playoffs, with a dramatic comeback inspiring a narrow 35-34 victory for Penn Manor.
“We could not wish for a more exciting matchup than two teams from a true hotbed of high school American football,” said Global Football President Patrick Steenberge in a statement. “Fans from Dublin and beyond will be treated to a hard-fought and competitive clash between two in-state rivals. I played my high school football in Pennsylvania where there is a wonderful tradition around these matches that we are excited to bring over to Ireland.”
Meanwhile, Penn Manor head coach Todd Mealy added: ”This trip is so much more than simply playing a football game, so on behalf of everyone at Penn Manor School District, we are grateful that Global Football has asked us to be part of this experience of a lifetime.
“For every player involved, the trip to Ireland will definitely be the most memorable experience of their high school career, and perhaps their college career. For many it will be the only time that they’ve left the country. For most, it will be their first time on an airplane.”
The game takes place one day before the hotly anticipated Croke Park Classic encounter between UCF and Penn State.
