A traveling trophy up for grabs in Salina – made a trip of over 4,000 miles to become the winner’s prize at a football game Friday night.
When the Sacred Heart Knights and Trinity Catholic Celtics meet on the gridiron tonight, they’ll be playing for more that just an ordinary victory. According to Ryan Harris with the Ancient Order of Hibernians in Hutchinson, the boys will be locked in a battle to take home the prize from the inaugural Shillelagh Game, an authentic blackthorn shillelagh from Ireland.
Harris added the pregame ceremonies will include bagpipes and a blessing for the teams and spectators. Kickoff is set for 7pm and can be heard on KNZS 100.3 FM. Fans can also follow the action live on all digital screens at AdAstraRadioTV.com The University of Notre Dame has two such rivalry games for a traveling shillelagh trophy during NCAA college football when the Irish play against Purdue or the University of Southern California.
About (AOH)
The Ancient Order of Hibernians (AOH) stands as the oldest and largest Irish-Catholic fraternal group in the United States. It began in 1836 in both New York City and Pennsylvania’s coal-mining region.
This group formed during a time when Irish immigrants faced discrimination and violence in America. Members looked out for each other, offered support, and helped new arrivals adapt to life in the U.S. The AOH also worked to defend the Catholic Church and Irish cultural traditions.
