World Police and Fire Games
May 30, 2013
GAA President Liam O'Neill. INPHO
Special guests at the GAA hosted forum included Kildare footballer and recently appointed captain Eamonn Callaghan and county football players David Clarke (Mayo), Emlyn Mulligan (Leitrim), Peter Turley (Down) and Denis Glennon (Westmeath). Also attending were former Dublin manager Paul Caffrey, former Dublin All-Ireland winner and All-Star Charlie Redmond and handball star Tom Sheridan from Meath.
Over 100 senior officers representing the Irish Fire Services, Garda, Prison, Customs and Coastguard services were given a special invitation to encourage their staff to sign up for this year's WPFG which will take place in Northern Ireland from 1-10 August 2013.
Speaking at the event Judith Gillespie, Deputy Chief Constable, Police Service of Northern Ireland and Chair of the WPFG Board said: "As we look forward to welcoming the many hundreds of fellow services colleagues from the Republic of Ireland already signed up for the Games, we would like to encourage even more officers along with their colleagues in Irish Fire and Prisons Services, to register and take part in the 56 sports which will be held at 41 venues across Northern Ireland.
"The WPFG provides an excellent opportunity for both serving and retired officers and their families to enjoy the very best of Northern Ireland and carry on the tradition of the Games by enjoying competitive sport, making new friends or catching up with colleagues from other countries.
"We're also very grateful to the GAA and Croke Park for hosting today's information forum and hopefully at the Games closing ceremony on 10th August we will be celebrating a record haul of medals for officers from throughout the island of Ireland."
The Deputy Chief Constable was also joined by Dale Ashford (NI Fire and Rescue Service, Assistant Chief Fire Officer) Assistant Commissioner for An Garda, Fintan Fanning, An Garda Chief Superintendant Michael O'Sullivan, Mark Breen (Irish Prison Service Sports Association), Dave McMyler (Operations & Training Officer, Irish Coast Guard) and Chief Fire Officers, Noel Burke, Celina Barrett and Eoin O'Ceilleachair(Irish Fire Service). Also present were GAA Ulster President Martin McAviney, as well as registered Games competitors from counties across Ireland.
Marking this special GAA and WPFG joint initiative Uachtarán ChumannLúthchleas Gael,Liam Ó Néill said: "The GAA has very strong bonds through its members with our emergency response services across the island - across all disciplines - and it is a relationship we cherish.
"These people make a hugely important contribution to life across Ireland and this competition is the perfect vehicle for them to pit their skills in a competitive setting before forging and re-kindling friendships afterwards. I hope large numbers take up the offer to travel north where a warm welcome will no doubt await competitors, especially those from overseas."
The World Police and Fire Game is a biennial event for serving and retired police, fire, prison and customs officers. Gaelic Football and handball will be played at Queen's Sport, Upper Malone and Queen's PEC.
Information about the Games is available at www.2013wpfg.com or follow on twitter or facebook. Tweet
