Akron Celtic Guards Hurling Club - Akron, Ohio

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 3, 2010, Akron, Ohio USA – The Akron Celtic Guards Hurling Club (GAA) and P. O'Kane Hurls are today delighted to confirm a sponsorship deal for Akron, Ohio's hurling club.  The agreement, which commences with effect from today, will see P. O'Kane Hurls – a member of the Irish Guild of Ash Hurley Makers – become the title sponsor of Akron, the only registered GAA hurling team in the Midwest Division of the North American County Board (NACB).  The agreement currently has an annual review and makes P. O'Kane Hurls the sole sponsor name on the Akron jersey, plus contains additional benefits including equipment support for the duration of the deal.  The full uniform kit is now in production with O'Neills in Ireland, and will be available in time for Akron's second appearance in the NACB National Championships which are held in Chicago, Illinois this year.  Akron's first match at this year's Nationals is against Chicago on Friday, September 3, 2010.  Akron jerseys will be available for purchase later in the fall.

Announcing the sponsorship, Gabriel O'Kane said, "My father, Pat, and I, plus all of us at P. O'Kane Hurls are proud of our new relationship with our friends across the sea, the Akron Celtic Guards.  Akron is a young hurling club, and we're happy to lend our support as they participate in Gaelic games and further promote Ireland's national sport.  P. O'Kane Hurls has a huge respect for the Akron organization that continues to grow from strength to strength each year involving a bunch of men and women who thrive in participating and promoting our national game of hurling.  P. O'Kane Hurls provides quality handmade Irish hurleys and accessories and we see this as an excellent opportunity for us to help promote our Irish sport brand in America with this partnership.  We look forward to supporting Akron in 2010 and for the duration of what will be a successful relationship."

Welcoming the deal, Akron Celtic Guards Hurling Club (GAA) Chairman Mark Agner said, "It is a badge of honor to have P. O'Kane Hurls, an actual Irish hurley maker, as our team sponsor and we look forward to proudly displaying their logo on our new jerseys.  This new relationship is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our eight-year-old club, since we have secured an elite Irish hurling brand as our new sponsor and friend, this is a major vote of confidence for the Akron Celtic Guards. 

"This sponsorship agreement is a massive shot in the arm for Akron, our GAA club members, and hurling in the Midwest Division.  This new relationship is essential in helping our ongoing work in increasing participation and standards with all of our teams at every level, but especially the youth program.  We are very much looking forward to working closely with Gabriel and P. O'Kane Hurls over time to ensure this partnership is mutually beneficial."

About the Akron Celtic Guards
The Akron Celtic Guards Hurling Club was started in 2002, and mentored early on by the infamous Al O'Leary, who was a founding member of the Cleveland Kickhams Hurling Club.  Originally coached by Seamus White, then Noel Morton, and now lead by Mark Agner; they have bloomed with the help of the City of Akron, a strong Board of Directors, dedicated players, their loyal fans, the Ancient Order of Hibernians (AOH), the Barley House in Downtown Akron, Ray's Pub in Highland Square, Scorchers in the Valley, and the Superior Beverage Group.  The Club is always looking for new male and female recruits of all ages, and they practice every Sunday (weather permitting).  More info on the Club can be found on their website:  www.akronhurling.com

About P. O'Kane Hurls
As a member of the Irish Guild of Ash Hurley Makers, P. O'Kane Hurls, based in Swatragh, is among an elite of 50-odd members who produce hurls for the top hurlers around Ireland.  P. O'Kane Hurls was established in 2003 by Pat O'Kane.  Having retired, Pat's passion for camogie steered him to begin and craft a few hurls by hand to cater for the local Swatragh Camogie Club.  Never did he imagine that, after his first year, demand would ask him to supply countless hurling and camogie clubs as well as numerous schools and colleges throughout Ireland.

In 2004, Pat's son, Gabriel, who runs a driving school watched his father under constant pressure to meet demand and began spending more evenings and weekends helping out and learning the craft.  With hurls still being made by hand and the orders flooding in, it was decided to move into bigger premises and purchase more up to date equipment.  A copying lathe used by most hurley makers was bought in Italy and aluminum templates of each size had to be designed first and then ordered from Beijing.  A new band saw and belt sander were added to their existing equipment and work could begin.  The volume of work allowed them to employ two more full time staff to start and soon P. O'Kane Hurls were providing top quality hurls on time and at a competitive price.  More info about the company can be found on their website:  www.pokanehurls.com

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For further information (press preferred), contact:

For the Akron Celtic Guards Hurling Club (GAA):
Scott A. Cooper – Secretary
Mob: 330.352.3012
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For P. O'Kane Hurls:
Gabriel O'Kane
69 Gorteade Road
Culnagrew
Swatragh
Co Derry BT46 5RF
Tel: 028 79401320
Mob: 07989 762471
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2010 Akron Hurling City Series Spring Match Schedule Flyer

On Sunday, May 2, 2010, the Akron Celtic Guards Hurling Club held its 2010 spring city series draft at the Barley House in Akron. There was a great turn out of lads and lasses for pints, food, laughter, and draft results. You'll find below the list of team rosters.

Arsenal sponsored by the Ancient Order of Hibernians (AOH):
1. Adam Behm
2. Damon Campbell (c)
3. Mike Clayton
4. Pat Custy
5. Jacob Hernandez
6. Ian Kay
7. Keith Knott
8. Xavier Love
9. Jeff Lynch
10. Pat McIntye
11. Kevin McKee
12. George McKeon
13. Kristen Ramsour
14. Rory Richards
15. Dan Rimmel
16. Tom Selle
17. Robert Shaffer
18. Luke Wilcox
19. David Wright
20. Zach Wysocki


Rebels sponsored by Ray's Pub in Highland Square:
1. Mark Agner
2. Eric Amsden
3. Aaron Bartlett
4. Scott Cooper (c)
5. Kevin Paul Conley
6. Charles Dewitt
7. Damon M Ferguson
8. Paul Heaverly
9. Jonathon Higgins
10. Kathy Ilg
11. Matt Kirn
12. Lenny Krueger
13. Amy McDaniel Kruger
14. Kevin McGee
15. Orlando Reyes
16. Chris Schillinger
17. Patrick Taylor Jr.
18. Robert David Tipton
19. Josh Watson


Selkies sponsored by the Scorchers in the Valley:
1. Nick Ashley
2. Jamison Blose (c)
3. Kareem Brown
4. Holly Bullfinch
5. Joe Caufield
6. Steve Chiarappa
7. Ian Collins
8. Stephan Collins
9. Mark Finley
10. Aiden Kilker
11. Jim Micali
12. Josh Mott
13. Ed Nagle
14. Michael Ruane
15. Mich Schauer
16. Michael Steiner
17. Patrick Taylor Sr.
18. Mike Williams
19. Brittaney Wiolland
20. Roak Zeller

(c) = Team Captain

Akron Hurling: 2010 Spring City Series Match Schedule

Week 1 - Sunday, May 16, 2010 @ 3PM
Arsenal - sponsored by AOH Brown Street
@
Selkies - sponsored by Scorchers in the Valley (H)


Week 2 - Sunday, May 23, 2010 @ 3PM
Selkies - sponsored by Scorchers in the Valley
@
Rebels - sponsored by Ray's Pub in Highland Square (H)


Week 3 - Saturday, May 29, 2010 @ TBD – Cleveland Gaelic Games 7's Tournament
Rebels - sponsored by Ray's Pub in Highland Square
@
Arsenal - sponsored by AOH Brown Street (H)


Week 4  - Sunday, June 6, 2010 @ 3PM
Selkies - sponsored by Scorchers in the Valley
@
Arsenal - sponsored by AOH Brown Street (H)

Week 5 - Sunday, June 13, 2010 @ 3PM
Rebels - sponsored by Ray's Pub in Highland Square
@
Selkies - sponsored by Scorchers in the Valley (H)


Week 6 - Sunday, June 20, 2010  @ 3PM
Arsenal - sponsored by AOH Brown Street
@
Rebels - sponsored by Ray's Pub in Highland Square (H)


Week 7  - Sunday, June 27, 2010  @ 3PM
Arsenal - sponsored by AOH Brown Street
@
Selkies - sponsored by Scorchers in the Valley (H)


Week 8 - Sunday, July 11, 2010 @ 3PM
Selkies - sponsored by Scorchers in the Valley
@
Rebels - sponsored by Ray's Pub in Highland Square (H)


Week 9 - Sunday, July 18, 2010 @ 3PM
Rebels - sponsored by Ray's Pub in Highland Square
@
Arsenal - sponsored by AOH Brown Street (H)


(H) = Home pub that hosts post match activity


The first spring city series hurling match is on Sunday May 16, 2010, @ 3PM and features the Selkies, sponsored by Scorchers in the Valley, vs. Arsenal, sponsored by the Ancient Order of Hibernains (AOH). 

Sláinte!