The 2018 Celtic Challenge will begin on Wednesday (2nd May) in the only hurling competition that includes all 32 counties.
This under 17 tournament will see 41 teams icorporating 1250 players play 135 games in May and June in what could be a springboard for those involved to make the step up to inter county level.
Galway have three teams involved named the Maroons, McDonagh and the Tribesmen. The Maroons reached the 2017 decider before going down to South Tipperary.
The Maroons and McDonagh are in Group A and Galway supporters will look forward to their head-to-head clash in Kenny Park on the 16th May. But the Maroons begin this Wednesday (2nd May) when they face Limerick Treaty in Crusheen.
Clare Blues and North Tipperary are the other two teams in this five-team group with the last round taking place on June 6th when Galway McDonagh travel to Nenagh to face North Tipperary.
The Galway Tribesmen are in Group G and begins this Wednesday (2nd May) at the Connacht GAA Centre against Sligo before further meetings with Roscommon, Mayo and Donegal.
Congrats to Craig Potter, Conor Coleman,Phelim Reilly, Jack Mitchell & Niall Kelly on making the panel of the Galway Tribesmen U17 hurling team for the upcoming Celtic Challenge League
— Ballinasloe GAA (@BallinasloeGAA) April 23, 2018
Aside from a packed schedule of matches, the Bank of Ireland Celtic Challenge also features a number of new initiatives on trial for the first time Gaelic games, including the ‘Best & Fairest Award’.
The ‘Best & Fairest Award’ is an alternative approach to the traditional ‘Man of the Match’ awards. The concept is age-appropriate and is underpinned by the GAA Values of Respect and Teamwork.
After every match the Referee will consult with his Match Officials and chose one player from each team to receive the ‘Best & Fairest Award’ on the basis that they:
Displayed a high level of skill and endeavour;
Displayed respect towards Match Officials;
Displayed respect towards fellow players;
Displayed respect toward the Playing Rules.
At the end of the Bank of Ireland Celtic Challenge one of the listed players will be selected at random and receive two tickets for the All Ireland Senior Hurling Final.
2018 Celtic Challenge Fixtures
Wednesday, 2nd May
Group A – GALWAY MAROONS vs Limerick Treaty (7.30pm Crusheen)
Group G – GALWAY TRIBESMEN vs Sligo (7.30pm Connacht GAA Centre)
Wednesday, 9th May
Group A – GALWAY McDONAGH vs Clare Blues (7.30pm Kenny Park)
Group A – North Tipperary vs GALWAY MAROONS (7.30pm Nenagh)
Group G – Roscommon s GALWAY TRIBESMEN (7.30pm Duggan Park)
Wednesday, 16th May
Group A – GALWAY MAROONS vs GALWAY McDONAGH (7.30pm Kenny Park)
Group G – GALWAY TRIBESMEN vs Mayo (7.30pm Sylane)
Wednesday, 23rd May
Group A – GALWAY McDONAGH vs Limerick Treaty (7.30pm Crusheen)
Group A – Clare Blues vs GALWAY MAROONS (7.30pm Tubber)
Saturday, 26th May
Group G – Donegal vs GALWAY TRIBESMEN (2.30pm Connacht GAA Centre)
Wednesday, 6th June
Group A – North Tipperary vs GALWAY McDONAGH (7.30pm Nenagh)
Galway McDonagh’s Jack Barrett is featured in the GAA’s promotional video that also saw a number of hurling legends talk about the importance of the Celtic Challenge.
The #BOICelticChallenge is back for 2018 – 41 teams, 32 counties, 1250 players, 135 games. See https://t.co/PAgZmJi3VC for fixtures and follow us on @GAACelticChall pic.twitter.com/PEZtNf2X4I
— The GAA (@officialgaa) April 23, 2018
