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The Gaelic Athletic Association is celebrating St Patrick's weekend on Sunday, March 19 with a contest between undergraduates at Manchester colleges and their counterparts in Eire.

University students on both sides of the Irish Sea will take part in the innovative programme organised by Des Culinane, chairman Comhairle Ard Oicheachas, and Peter Mossey, chairman of Universities Gaelic Games in Britain.

Colleges will nominate their best Gaelic footballers and hurlers for awards and will play exhibition matches on Sunday, March 19 as part of the Manchester Irish festival.

The two matches will feature the best talent in college Gaelic football and hurling in the year 2000 and will be played consecutively at the Old Bedians' ground in Manchester at 1pm and 2.30pm.

This will be the first time universities have nominated football and hurling all stars and the first time ever the best talent in universities Gaelic games on either side of the Irish sea have been pitted against each other.