Junior Irish Wolfhounds To Face Team GB in GIFT 2024
The Global Ireland Football Tournament is returning for another installment this summer, and after they categorically stunned an elite high school program in their 2023 debut, the Irish National Junior American Football outfit will feature prominently on this year’s slate of games.
Their opponents for this occasion are the Great Britain Under 19 Squad, with their duel set to take place on the evening of August 23rd.
Donnybrook Stadium is once again the venue for the tripleheader of games, which will also see no less than four top class US high school football teams take to the field. The action gets underway at 12 Noon, with the Maclay Marauders out of Tallahassee taking on the Windham Jaguars of New Hampshire. At 3.30pm, the IMG Academy (yes, the biggest high school program in America) will face the Episcopal School of Dallas in what should be an absolute cracker of a game. For Irish fans however, the main event then takes place at 7pm with an enticing duel between our Junior Wolfhounds and the British Lions.
“I am proud to return to Ireland for the 5th Global Ireland Football Tournament-GIFT, in partnership with the Aer Lingus College Football Classic.” said Patrick Steenberge, Founder of Global Football and the man behind the High School Football showcase in Dublin.
“With the 6 teams preparing to play August 23 in Energia Park, we will have had 30 high school age teams travel to Ireland to compete, while also learning about the local history and culture through their 6-day experiences there.”
Those in attendance at last year’s game can attest to the magical atmosphere that was in the air, as a young Wolfhounds’ defense confounded the Community School of Naples. The upcoming fixture should be even more of a draw, given the historic rivalry between the two nations. Harking back to the cries of “in your head!” that rang out from the stands while relentless defensive linemen hunted down the opposing Quarterback, it is going to be quite the spectacle to witness these young athletes take to a primetime stage once more.
Speaking to Gaelic Gridiron, Junior Wolfhounds Head Coach Alan Lomasney has this to say: “We are looking forward to GIFT 2024. It was a fantastic experience last year to play against a US high school team in our first ever game for the U19 Wolfhounds & our guys played exceptionally well. This year we are playing an experienced GB U19 team which will be a tough opponent.
It’s another great opportunity for our players to get game experience & to continue their growth.
This is the second year of the U19 Wolfhounds program & we are improving with every practice.
The enthusiasm & dedication that the players & coaches are putting in to the team is fantastic & we are looking forward to the game in August.”
The clash between IMG Academy and the Episcopal School of Dallas is one that should also draw a decent crowd of local spectators and football aficionados. The Florida based powerhouse is one of the most prolific producers of college and NFL talent, and is a name that will bear recognition with fans on this side of the Atlantic as well. Texas High School football is not to be sniffed at either, and these teams are sure to provide a game filled with fast paced action and plenty of fireworks!
According to IMG’s Director of Football Kyle Brey: “IMG Academy is extremely excited to take our first trip to Dublin Ireland as a football program. Our families and their student athletes look for a best in class high school football experience along with getting them prepared to play college football. The opportunity to go to Dublin was a no-brainer for our football department. Our IMG staff, our student athletes and their families could not be more excited for this unique international opportunity!”
This will be the 5th iteration of the Global Ireland Football Tournament, a now annual display of sporting prowess that occurs in tandem with the series of college football games in Dublin. Fandom and awareness of American football has skyrocketed in Ireland in recent months, and the Global Ireland Football Tournament provides fans with a fantastic opportunity to watch some of the best young players in the world.
“While interest in American football continues to expand rapidly across Ireland, Irish sports fans have a unique opportunity to enjoy quality high school talent in historic Energia Park.” Steenberge added. “The GIFT Tripleheader will provide 8 hours of prep football action. Check out future NCAA and NFL prospects, living out their dreams in Dublin! “
Tickets will be available at the end of the month, so stay tuned to @gaelicgridiron on all socials for more information!