Guide To 2009 Top GAA Matches In Dublin

• By: Editor
• On: 03/Jul/2009
• In: Dublin Travel Tips

When the dust has settled on the Dublin v Kilkenny Leinster Hurling Final (Sun 5th July 2009), the grounds men of Croke Park Stadium will be busy preparing the turf for a hectic couple of months as the GAA Championship kicks into action. The Leinster Football Final will take place on Sunday 12th July 2009 when Dublin take on Kildare in what will definitely be a sell out crowd.

The next big GAA weekend at Croke Park Stadium will be on Saturday 1st August, Sunday 2nd August and possibly Monday 3rd August (to be confirmed) when the All Ireland Football Quarter Finals will take place. In 2008, this stage of the competition served up some memorable games with Armagh's shock defeat to Wexford, Kerry beating Galway in torrential rain and thunder storms, Cork withstanding a late Kildare comeback and then Tyrone putting in a display of "total football" to storm past Dublin.

The All Ireland Hurling Semi Finals are scheduled to take place on Sunday 9th August and Sunday 16th August and regardless as to which teams are still left standing, both of these dates are certain to serve up a feast of hurling skill at the highest level. Will Kilkenny have made it this far? Will Galway deliver on their early season promise? Will Cork's hurlers emerge from the qualifiers in tact? Will Tipperary and Waterford fulfil the potential shown last year? Or will Clare dust themselves down and rejuvenate for a tilt at the Liam McCarthy Cup.

The All Ireland Football Semi Finals are pencilled in for Sunday 23rd August and Sunday 30th August respectively. Again, no one really knows who'll have made to this stage but expect some of the big guns such as Kerry, Dublin and Cork to still have a major say in proceedings.

6th September 2009 is the culmination of the hurling season when the 'sliothar' is thrown in for the All Ireland Hurling Final. This is always an occasion with much fanfare regardless as to who the participating teams are. And similar to the All Ireland Football Final on 20th September, these final days are almost pilgrimage like to GAA followers and indeed to the millions who watch the action on live TV.

Other notable GAA dates for Croke Park Stadium include the All Ireland Camogie and Under-21 Hurling Finals which take place on 13th September while the Ladies Football Final will be held on 27th September.

Whichever game you attend at Croke Park this summer you're guaranteed a fantastic atmosphere in a wonderful setting. And if you're planning to make a weekend of it, why not check out our Dublin hotels.