The thrill of running out in front of a crowd at Croke Park is every GAA player's dream from childhood.

And on July 13 and 14 Leinster GAA will proudly make that dream come true for 3,000  children when they take part in the annual Leinster GAA Under 8 Croke Park Go Games Days.

Over the course of two days of activity and drawn from every corner of Leinster, there will be more than 190 teams representing more than 130 clubs at the Go Games Days.

This is the seventh year of the Leinster GAA Croke Park Go Games Days and in that time more than 21,000 young children have been able to get precious first-hand experience of being a GAA star on the biggest stage.

It's an opportunity for Leinster GAA to acknowledge the work being done at grass roots to promote and develop our games and also a chance for these children to be 'bitten by the bug' by providing them with a chance to experience just what it's like to play on the biggest stage of all.

As well as playing their matches on the hallowed turf, the children also get privileged access to the Croke Park dressing rooms before emerging out through one of the famous tunnels at GAA HQ to the roar of their own supporters and then showcase their skills.

And for the really lucky ones there is the added highlight of following in the footsteps of their heroes and going up the steps of the Hogan Stand to collect a cup as winners.

The buzz and excitement of being part of the Croke Park experience provides memories that will last a lifetime and the feedback from the parents and children involved shows just what a special occasion it is for those involved.

The children all arrive with the shared thrill of living out the dream of being able to grace the same stage as TJ Reid and Bernard Brogan.

And whether they win or lose on the day, they all leave with the same dream too - to one day make it back there to Croke Park for real as a senior inter county hero.

Tweet

Most Read Stories