Cedar Cliff’s Sophomore quarterback Grant Breneman, October 2013
Pic: Global Football
See the Cedar Cliff Colts take on Penn Manor Comets as the Global Ireland Football Tournament 2014 kicks off!
Before the Croke Park Classic on Saturday between Penn State and the University of Central Florida, the UCD Bowl will play host to a real gem of American Football: an epic battle between Pennsylvania high school rivals the Penn Manor Comets and the Cedar Cliff Colts.
Although they are only 41 miles apart back home they have travelled 3,200 miles to go head-to-head as part of 2014’s Global Ireland Football Tournament.
The last time these two met back in November, Penn State staged a massive 21-point comeback to win 35-34, Charles Bell securing victory in the closing minutes with a two-yard run to score his fourth touchdown of the game. With their last encounter being such a close-run thing, both teams are sure to feel they have a point to prove!
The two teams will be holding practice sessions on Pitch 1 in UCD today and tomorrow. Penn Manor will be on today from 1.30 to 4.00pm, with Cedar Cliff warming up from 4.30 to 6.30pm. Tomorrow, Penn Manor will take to the pitch from 9 to 11am, and Cedar Cliff have the afternoon shift from 1.30 to 3.30pm.
Ireland has been an easy decision as a venue for tournament organisers Global Football. According to President Patrick Steenberge, “Ireland holds an allure for many of the high schools and colleges who have traveled with Global Football since we first started exporting the game of American football beyond the United States and of course, many Americans trace their heritage to Ireland… We held a hugely successful GIFT event in 2012 and made many wonderful friends and contacts that ultimately served as a catalyst for Penn State and the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) getting together to create the Croke Park Classic. It made sense for us to bring a high-profile high school game across the Atlantic as a partner event.”
Gates open on Friday at 5.30pm, with kick-off at 7pm. Tickets cost €10 for adults, with students going for €5, and are available from ticketgroup.ie.
By Aimée Mac Leod
