Huge crowd on the cards in Loughrea for big Feile parade

Date Published: 22-Jun-2011

THE prestigious Feile na nGael under 14 hurling tournament returns to Galway for the first time since 1993 this coming weekend. The top under 14 hurlers, camogie players and handball competitors in the country will descend on Galway from June 24 to 26.

Well known clubs such as Ballygunner, Wolfe Tones, Na Piarsaigh, Kilmacud Crokes, Birr and O’Loughlin Gaels along with representatives from all the other counties of Ireland will head to Galway for Feile weekend where they will be hosted by the various hurling, camogie and handball clubs of the county.

The first Feile na nGael took place in Tipperary in 1971, a competition that was the brainchild of former GAA President, Seamus Ryan. Sixty four teams participated in the inaugural competition with Cork’s Blackrock defeating Eoghan Ruadh of Dublin in the prestigious A’ final.

Since that initial year Feile has gone from strength to strength with many of the most well known clubs in the country annexing titles in the intervening years. These include Na Piarsaigh (Cork), St.Finbarr’s (Cork), Glen Rovers (Cork), Wolfe Tones (Clare), James Stephens (Kilkenny), Ballyhale Shamrocks (Kilkenny), Oulart the Ballagh (Wexford) and Kilmacud Crokes (Dublin).

Galway have also had their successes at Feile with the Christy Ring trophy residing in the county in 1993 when Loughrea defeated Turloughmore who are the current holders having got the better of Na Piarsaigh last June, in Ennis.

Other Galway clubs to have claimed divisional titles at Feile na nGael include Annaghdown, Carnmore, Abbey-Duniry, Killimor and Mountbellew-Moylough.

Camogie was introduced to Feile in 1974 with Rathnure of Wexford the first winners of the Corn Ui Phuirseil trophy. Galway has had considerable success in camogie’s top division with nine titles coming west of the Shannon.

Pearses have won three titles with Sarsfields and Mullagh claiming two each while Athenry and St.Colman’s have also tasted success. Davitts and Pearses have also claimed Division Two titles with Mountbellew, the Division Three winners in 1993.

St Jude’s (Dublin), Cahir (Tipperary), St. Martin’s (Wexford), Courcey Rovers (Cork), Thomastown (Kilkenny) and Loughgiel Shamrocks (Antrim) will be participating at this year’s Feile.

Handball is also an integral part of the Feile experience with many Galway clubs participating including Abbeyknockmoy, Annaghdown, Micheal Breathnach, Ballinasloe, Claregalway, Mountbellew-Moylough, Inis Oirr, Inis Mor, Moycullen, Salthill and Williamstown.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.