Some of the GAA's top intercounty stars are heading to Ethiopia for a challenge match.

Limerick hurlers Gavin O'Mahony and Graeme Mulcahy, Clare hurler John Conlon and Meath footballers Jamie Queeney and Mickey Burke will be part of an Irish selection that's taking on the locals in a game of karsa in the city of Aksum next month.

The ancient Ethiopian game is similar to hurling and the trip is part of a fundraiser for Playing For Life, a charity founded seven years ago by Tracy Piggott.

Speaking about the impending fundraiser in the Examiner, O'Mahony revealed: "We've been told to expect a crowd of around 20,000 people at the game.

"The locals get really into it when people come over on charity trips. Tracy was telling us that a few years ago she was over there to take part in a horse race along with another Irish jockey against two Ethiopians.

"When they got to the town, there was a huge crowd there and 80 Ethiopian fellas on horses ready to compete in the race. It's going to be a very different experience.

"The match is one thing we'll be doing but we're going to visit a good few cities as well. We'll be helping in the construction of a school as well and it's a busy itinerary. I was a little bit apprehensive when I first heard about it but after learning about the country, I'm very much looking forward to it

"Myself and Graeme doubled up in everything we did, and our aim was to break over €7,000 between us. But it's been brilliant, we've got to almost €8,200 now at this point. It's difficult times for people financially but the response has been fantastic

"The weather will certainly be better. It's about 28-29 degrees over there at the moment. But from what I'm led to believe, we'll be doing plenty physical exercise. The locals that we meet like to go running and walking with the Irish people, and a short walk for them could be 20 miles. I guess we'll be doing our own warm-weather training." Tweet

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