PORT SOIF will again be transformed into a little piece of Ireland this weekend when the annual Gaelic Games return. Eight teams, including two from Guernsey Gaels, will be battling for points in round three of the European Gaelic Football League.

And following the success and popularity of last year’s hurling match, this Sunday sees a full-blown tournament. A combined Guernsey/Europe team goes up against Jersey Irish, McDermott’s of Belfast, and Carrick Emmetts. The Simply Ireland Hurling Tournament starts at 11.30am. It is the seventh time the international football event has been hosted at Port Soif, an established favourite venue for the competitors from Jersey, Ireland and Europe.

‘The presence of the Irish teams will ensure the standard of football is very high,’ said Gerry Mackle, of the Guernsey Gaels.

‘There will also be a ladies’ Gaelic football match on Saturday following on from the Guernsey ladies’ team’s success recently in Rennes.

‘Hurling is a fantastic spectator sport, so this tournament is a must-see,’ said Mackle.

‘We’ve been very fortunate again this year with the quality of the teams that are coming. Last year we were unlucky that a couple of teams could not make it. It’s also been great that we’ve managed to secure sponsorship from Simply Ireland, the Drunken Duck and the Carlton Hotel, which is a huge help to us.

‘After this competition, we will be starting our junior coaching, so this would be the ideal opportunity for anyone who fancies trying the sport to come along, meet the club and get to know a bit more about Gaelic football.’

The eight football teams will be split into two groups of four.

Each will play the others in its group once. A game will be two halves of eight minutes. The top two teams of each group progress to semi-finals, with a 20min. final. The first match starts at 11am, with the final due to take place at 5pm.

The format of the hurling competition has yet to be decided.