History was made on St Patrick's Day over Stateside as the National Collegiate GAA - or NCGAA for short - had their hurling and football finasl televised on ESPN for the first time ever. It was the first GAA match to be televised nationally in the US since the 1973 All-Ireland final. Purdue University overcame Colorado University at Zion Bank Stadium in Salt Lake City, Colorado to win the hurling final. Notre Dame won the football final.
Zion Bank Stadium should go down as one of the most picturesque venues in GAA with the amazing view of the Rocky Mountains coupled with the clear blue skies on the day it painted a perfect scene for hurling.
A bit of hurling history was made yesterday in Salt Lake City, Utah.
The NCGAA North American College Finals were contested in hurling between Purdue University and Colorado University.
The game was broadcast on ESPN3, and it was the first nationally televised GAA game in the… pic.twitter.com/wEYc4twljE
— Balls.ie (@ballsdotie) March 18, 2024
The NCGAA hurling final was broadcasted live on ESPN 3 for the first time ever and according to the NCGAA's GoFundMe they organised to cover expenses, they have the opportunity to broadcast yearly finals on ESPN for the foreseeable future in what is huge news for the expansion of GAA in America.
It will be re-aired tomorrow on ESPNU.
The finals took place over Paddy's Day weekend with semi-finals, shields and championship finals taking place across the facilities at Zion Bank Stadium. Purdue University from Indiana won the hurling while the Notre Dame Fighting Irish won the football final, beating Navy in the final.
Naoise Waldron was the commentator for the NCGAA hurling final on ESPN and he shared a highlights of the events that took place over the weekend on his twitter.
Day 2 of NCGAA Finals weekend was one I’ll never forget.. Players from all over the world playing Hurling & Football, in a location like that and all broadcast on ESPN!! Unbelievable 🤯 If you missed it, it’ll be re aired on ESPN U, Tuesday 19th of March, at 5pm Eastern 🎙️ pic.twitter.com/diRn8f99Gz
— Naoise Waldron (@NWaldron45) March 18, 2024
There was some bemused reaction on social media, as you'd expect.
No clue what these numbers mean, but the Hurling National Championship is on ESPN3 and heading into the second half. https://t.co/tYMxA62QYV pic.twitter.com/rncW0aeifT
— Sickos Committee (@SickosCommittee) March 17, 2024
SEE ALSO: 'You Don't Pick Up Characters Like Johnny Glynn On The Side Of The Street'
14 March 2024; Insomnia ambassador and Galway hurler Conor Whelan poses for a portait at the launch of Insomnia’s 5-year partnership with the GAA/GPA at Croke Park in Dublin. Photo by Sam Barnes/Sportsfile
