The AIG Fenway Hurling Classic and Irish Festival to be held in Boston at the end of November, with Dublin and Galway playing a Super 11 hurling game on Sunday, November 22nd at 1pm local time (5pm Irish time).

Launch events took place at Croke Park and Fenway Park today to mark the count down to the game.

The game will form part of an Irish Festival at Fenway Park on that weekend where all aspects of Irish culture and music will be celebrated.  It will be played the day after Boston College take on the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame at Fenway Park in a much anticipated college football game.  The renowned band the Dropkick Murphys will also be playing at the festival.

Super 11s, which is was the brainchild of the GPA, is an eleven aside format of traditional hurling.  It was developed specifically to allow hurling to be played in stadiums and venues all over the world where the pitch size is smaller than the traditional hurling pitch.  Only goals can be scored in the adapted game.  Training sessions to ensure the players become fully accustomed to the rules will be organised by the GAA and GPA in advance of the trip.

It will be the first time since November of 1954 that hurling will be played at the world famous home of the Boston Red Sox.  Back then All-Ireland Champions Cork defeated an American Hurling selection.

The AIG Fenway Hurling Classic has been in the planning stages for months and has the full support of the GAA, the GPA, both the Dublin and Galway county boards, the North American GAA board and FSM.  Aer Lingus, the official airline partner of Dublin GAA and the official travel partner of the GPA, are also backing the match and will provide flights for the entire travelling party.

Speaking on behalf of the GAA, Director General Páraic Duffy said; "It is encouraging to see the interest and impact our national games can have overseas and we're delighted to be involved in this project for that reason.  Our overseas network is extremely important to us and bringing hurling to what is widely recognised as an Irish city outside Ireland is massively important to us.

"It will be occasion to remember on November 22nd as two excellent teams from Dublin and Galway demonstrate the best skills of our games".

The travelling party will depart with Aer Lingus from Dublin and Shannon Airports on Friday, November 20th and return on Monday 23rd and Tuesday 24th.

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