DUBLIN, Ireland (WCTV) – Maclay will hit the Aviva Stadium field in Dublin on Friday. Ryder Marks, a Maclay football player said their adventure in Ireland has been “an awesome experience” so far.
“Being able to play our game in a different country is amazing and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and I’m just very excited,” Marks said.
A pep rally held in Merrion Square Park brought four teams competing in the global Ireland football tournament, and the Maclay cheerleaders led the charge.
Sarah Grant, a team parent coordinator for the team, said they were excited to celebrate the team.
“These boys have worked really hard to get to this point and we’re happy that we get to start the season and what a great opportunity it is for them,” Grant said.
The trip was more than a year in the making, and it is setting up to be one for the books.
“Luckily I was able to coordinate with the G.I.F.T. travel agency and the on location travel agency working with them and just trying to figure out what the needs were for the boys and finding the right flights for them and finding what they would need and how we coordinate that,” Grant said.
As for head coach Jason Cauley, he said the boys’ dedication to bringing home a win has not wavered.
“This is a football game and we’re wanting a victory and are going to come out of here with a victory,” Cauley said. “We’re trying to keep things as normal as we can but I don’t know how you can with all these distractions but our guys have really had the fortitude and resilience and are focusing on the task at hand.”
While the Mauraders are looking for the big win, they are also looking forward to the atmosphere.
“I hope a lot of fans from Ireland come to learn about American football,” Marks said. “I think the energy is going to be a lot different during the game.”
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