The first appearance of Tractor Football in Ireland took place at the Ploughing Championships in Offaly this week.
A big hit in countries such as Poland and Canada, the new sport has now landed in Ireland!
All-Ireland Hurling Final referee, Brian Gavin, took on commentating duties while Arthur O'Connor took up the mantle of referee, rule-master and co-commentator!
The whole event was put together by W.R Shaw who provided the tractors (€80,000 a piece) and it was all in order to raise awareness for heart failure in Ireland.
Heart Failure mainly affects men. Agriculture is a predominantly male dominated sector with farmers looking after their tractors more than their heart.
The "Know Heart Failure Now" campaign, aims to increase awareness of the risks and symptoms of heart failure and calls Irish people to talk to their doctor if they have more than one symptom of heart failure.
Improved understanding of heart failure, early diagnosis and new treatments can allow patients to live longer, feel better and be more active.
Despite the fact that 90,000 people are living with heart failure in Ireland, the awareness of the condition is extremely low. The aim of the heart failure tractor football is to get people to stop listen and learn some facts about HF while having fun.
www.heartbeat-trust.ie // www.croi.ie
The HF tractor football and the Know Heart Failure Now campaign are supported by Novartis Ireland Ltd.
