Red Bull today announced the return of Red Bull Longest Day, Ireland's only 5-a-side hurling and camogie tournament that will take place in Kilkenny Castle on Saturday, 18th June. 

Led by Red Bull Athletes Joe Canning (Galway) and Ashling Thompson (Cork) and supported by Kilkenny's Richie Hogan, Red Bull Longest Day will see 24 hurling and 16 camogie teams from around the country battle it out on the grounds of Kilkenny Castle.

Starting in early morning, group stages will see five-a-side teams battle it out in a round robin format with the top two teams progressing to the knockout rounds. The finals will be played in the castle grounds at dusk.

In 2015, The Rock of Cashel in Co. Tipperary played home to the first Red Bull Longest Day event when over 20 teams battled it out from dawn till dusk in the shadows of the iconic castle. Red Bull athlete, Joe Canning was on hand to oversee the event and crown local club, Cashel King Cormacs, the Red Bull Longest Day Champions for 2015.

Commenting today, Red Bull Athlete and Galway star forward Joe Canning said:

"The tournament last year under the Rock of Cashel was very exciting with a real medieval feel and the games were incredibly competitive.  This year is set to be even bigger and better. With 24 hurling teams and 16 camogie teams taking part, I have no doubt it'll be seriously competitive. Spectators will get to see some really skillful hurling and all under the shadows of Kilkenny Castle."

Red Bull Athlete and Cork camogie captain, Ashling Thompson added:

"There will great fun and excitement on the day. Watching a normal game can sometimes be quite nerve-wracking or it can even be boring if it's not a great match but I think Red Bull Longest Day will be great fun as the games will be so fast paced. Teams won't be taking it too seriously and those are the best kind of games to watch! It'll be action packed."

Killkenny midfielder Richie Hogan added:

"I really love the idea of the event. I am very passionate about the promotion of hurling, so the idea of a five-a-side, all day hurling event sounded fantastic to me. I am especially excited to see this event taking place, right in the centre of Kilkenny city which is probably the home of Irish hurling!"

From dawn till dusk, the first Red Bull Longest Day revived the spirit of pagan Ireland and celebrated hurling, one of the world's oldest sporting events. Games were played in the shadow of the Rock of Cashel, Co Tipperary during the Irish tradition of honoring the coming of Summer Solstice.

Red Bull Longest Day would not be possible without the continued support from the Office of Public Works (OPW).

Registration for this year's event is free but teams must sign up at www.RedBull.ie/LongestDay before 30 May.

For all event details including a video featuring Joe Canning, Ashling Thompson & Richie Hogan, see www.RedBull.ie/LongestDay

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