Chicago Gaelic Park Irish Fest

NCGAA Tournament

National Collegiate Gaelic Athletics Association Tournament
Slated at Gaelic Park During Irish Ïest 2017

On May 27th and 28th, Purdue University will host the National Collegiate Gaelic Athletics Association (NCGAA) Tournament at Gaelic Park in Chicago, IL. The 7th incarnation of the annual tournament will return to roots with the same location as the original 2011 event and take place during Gaelic Park's 31st Annual Irish Fest. This year’s intense competition will see Purdue, University of Pittsburgh, University of Montana, last year’s hosts Colorado University Gaelic Club, and defending champions University of Connecticut give their all to be the last club standing.

Last year’s tournament was superbly hosted by first-time attendees Colorado. Two days of matches saw a thrilling final with Connecticut’s Huskies facing the Montana Grizzlies in a game that remained close right until the end. The Grizzlies were on the hunt for the first NCGAA three-in-a-row and looked to have pulled it off when, down 2, the Huskies scored a goal at the death to claim their first ever National Title and lift the cup. Pittsburgh retained the Shield for the third year running.

Matches will be played on the main pitch at Gaelic Park all day Saturday beginning at 9am and again on Sunday morning before there will be a break for a Chicago Youth GAA match. The Final will be held at 2pm on Sunday. There will also be a Shield Competition.

These clubs are impressively managed by the students themselves, who pack their kits and bags to travel across the country by car or plane every year seeking a National Title. Come watch grassroots Hurling at its finest, with these determined college teams competing to lift the NCGAA Cup!