Catch the Leprechaun 2017 Tickets

March 17th marks an important day in Ireland, known as St. Patrick's Day. The day is celebrated to commemorate the life of St. Patrick, a patron saint of Ireland who brought Christianity to the country. A popular tradition associated with the day is catching Leprechauns, mythical creatures who are believed to keep a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow. However, in the world of sports, catching the leprechaun has taken on a new meaning.

Many sports teams, particularly those from Irish backgrounds, use the image of the Leprechaun as their team mascot or logo. They often incorporate green and gold, two colours associated with the Irish folklore, into their uniforms. The most famous example of this is the University of Notre Dame football team, who adopted the Fighting Irish Leprechaun as its mascot in 1965.

In sports, catching the Leprechaun has become synonymous with winning against a team that has Irish roots or heritage. Teams will often play with extra motivation to ‘catch’ the leprechaun, signaling a victory over their opponents. This is particularly true in American sports like basketball and football, where Irish-American athletes have a significant presence.

However, catching the leprechaun isn't limited to just American sports. In boxing, the middleweight champion Lee Kelly became known for catching the leprechaun when he knocked out Gary O'Sullivan in December 2018. Kelly, who hails from the Traveller community in Ireland, used the victory as a way to honor his Irish heritage and promote unity among the Irish community.

The pursuit of catching the leprechaun has also extended to individual sports. Professional wrestler Becky Lynch, who was born in Dublin, has incorporated the Leprechaun into her persona, using the catchphrase "I'm gonna kick their (opponent's) arse and take their gold" to indicate a fight against her.

While the tradition of catching the leprechaun started out as a way to hold on to Irish folklore, it has become much more than that. It's a way for athletes to show pride in their cultural heritage and to create an intense sporting rivalry. As sport continues to evolve, we may see new ways that teams use the image of the leprechaun in fun and inspiring ways. But one thing is for sure: the pursuit of catching the Leprechaun will remain a key factor in sports for many years to come.