International Rules tie for Cavan

The good work of the Cavan Co Board has been rewarded by the GAA following an announcemnt today that Kingspan Breffni Park will host the opening game of the International Rules next October. Cavan will visit Navan next weekend for the eagerly-awaited NFL Div 3 tie against Meath - a game that should attract a big crowd to Páirc Táilteann. Meath played Louth in an All-Ireland qualifier at the Cavan venue in 2011 - that was a home fixture for the Louth men. Next weekend's game against Cavan will be an all-ticket game and supporters should allow some extra time to gain access to the ground - no cash will be taken at the turnstiles. The GAA confirmed today that the first game in this year's International Rules Series will take place at Kingspan Breffni Park on Saturday 19th October. The second test will take place at Croke Park a week later. This will be the first time that an Ulster venue has hosted a game since the series was revived in the 1990s. In addition to the games that have been played at Croke Park in that period, Pearse Stadium, Galway and Páirc na nGael, Limerick have also staged games. Uachtarán Chumann Lúthchleas Gael Liam Ó Néill congratulated all involved with Cavan's successful bid to stage the first test. He said: "Confirmation of Kingspan Breffni Park as the venue for our first test later in the year will no doubt come as a boost to the people of Cavan. "It is an acknowledgement of the facilities that the Cavan County Board, with the support of others, have developed at the venue and I have no doubt that its location will prove popular with supporters not just from Ulster but from Leinster and Connacht too. "I hope it will be an occasion to remember for what was is a famous venue."