This Friday 8th June 24 young men from the Loughgiel Shamrocks GAA team travel the 240miles to Oranmore in Co.Galway. They make the trip to the Féile na nGael representing all the hurling clubs of Co.Antrim, having recently won both the North Antrim Feile beating Glenariffe, and then the All County Final were they defeated Belfast club St.Pauls.
The boys range in ages from 11 to 14 and represent 4 local schools, St.Patricks P.S. Loughgiel, Our Lady of Lourdes Ballymoney, St.Louis Grammar Ballymena and Cross and Passion College Ballycastle.
Féile na nGael – Irish for “Festival of the Gaels” is an annual tournament comprising the sports of hurling, camogie and handball organised by the Gaelic Athletic Association. Its stated aim is to bond communities, forge friendships, provide educational opportunities and unearth new leaders. The competition hosts approximately 25,000 boys and girls each year with all 32 GAA counties represented along with teams from London, Liverpool, Warwickshire, Birmingham, New York and San Franscisco. Féile na nGael states that its primary objective is to facilitate and enable personal, social and cultural development amongst young people with emphasis on cultural and community activities, leadership and training through sport.
Féile na nGael was first held in 1971 and was hosted by Tipperary. Since then it has been held annually in late June in different counties. Féile na nGael 2018 is being hosted by clubs from Counties.Galway and Westmeath. In general all clubs in the host county are invited to participate while all other counties host local versions of the event and the winners are then nominated to represent their county at the National event. The time and effort that goes into preparing underage sporting teams to compete often goes with recognition but Féile na nGael is a great demonstration of how all this hard work can pay off. All the coaches, mentors and parents who are involved in the national tournament deserve the highest of praise.
Féile na nGael is also a fantastic example to young people of the value of teamwork of the pride of representing your local community and how to enjoy playing sport in a fun and respectful way.
We wish everyone travelling to Oranmore, our players, coaches, parents, and the wider family circles a safe and enjoyable trip. #UTS
Back row, L-R – Darrah Patterson, Ronan McCollum, Pearce Patterson, Dairmuid Carey, Ronan Casey, Conin Sheridan, Oran Reid, Jack McKendry.
Middle row, L-R – Eoin McGarry, Charley O’Hagan, Cahir Connolly, Connor Dickson, Finn Henry, Conor McGarry, Ben McGarry, Ronan McLaughlin.
Front row, L-R – Liam Glackin, Danny McAuley, Mark Christie, Ruairi McCormick (capt), Ronan Fitzgerald, Jack McCloskey, Tiago McGarry.