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All Ireland Féile Peil na nÓg - Doire 2010
2nd July 2010
2nd to 4th July 2010
Féile Peil na nOg is a national
festival of Gaelic football for boys and girls under 14 years of age and has
been running since 1982.
Each year approximately 50,000 boys and girls from each of the 32 counties, and some teams from the UK, Europe and USA, participate in Féile. A preliminary competition is held in each county for the right to represent the county at the Féile finals. The winning club then travels to the host county.
Féile Peil na nOg places great emphasis and importance on participation and sportsmanship. Féile involves players, mentors, coaches, committee, clubs, families and community. It is recognised by the GAA as a major festival of great importance for the promotion of football among the youth of our country. Féile Peil na nOg helps to bond communities, forge friendships, provide educational opportunities and unearth new leaders.
Parteen County Clare in 1999 was the last time St.Mary's were involved in this competition when they saw off St.Galls in the county decider to represent Antrim. On that occasion they lost out on score difference to Co. Offaly's Tullamore.
County Derry had the privilege of hosting this competition for the first time in 2010, with Rasharkin being three miles to the Derry border St.Mary's GAC accepted the offer from Derry Feile Peil na nOg organising committee to host a team. The club were then advised early in the year that they would be hosting Tinryland GFC Co.Carlow. Ironically Tinryland competed for the first time in Feile in 1999, this year would be their seventh appearance, Feile County Champions representing Carlow on five occasions (1999, 2004, 2005, 2008 & 2010) and host clubs twice (2003 & 2006). This is an outstanding achievement for a club founded on 1990 and which now cater for more than 150 juveniles.
Preparation work in Rasharkin for this great tournament began in earnest in the spring, an organising committee was established to control the event being chaired by Thomas Doherty who became the club's Feile Officer. Throughout April, May and June the team and management started to get fine tuned for Feile with friendly matches organised with neighbouring Derry clubs such as Kilrea, Ballinascreen, Swatragh and Castledawson. We travelled to Owenbeg for blitzes' and hosted our own blitz at Dreen inviting Bellaghy, Castledawson, Ballerin and Swatragh. The grounds men started cutting strimming, lining pitches and cleaning up, host families were sourced and a heir of excitement rose in anticipation.
Dhoire Feile Peil na nOg graded St.Mary's into Boys Division 3 Group C along with Tinryland Co.Carlow, North London and Coleraine. The first game for Rasharkin was against Tinryland at Dreen on Friday 2nd July, followed by the parade in Derry with both teams then travelling to Coleraine on Saturday morning to take on North London and Coleraine alternatively. The winning team from this section would then progress to the semi final at Banagher on Saturday afternoon and if successful play their final at Foreglen on Sunday.
Proceedings got underway as Tinryland arrived in Rasharkin, both sides lined out and the game started shortly after 1.30pm on Friday. Rasharkin dominated the first five to ten minutes but couldn't show it on the scoreboard. Conor O'Toole shook off the jetlag to convert the first score for the visitors after seven minutes. Adam Murphy landed the first of three first half goals, Mark Lawlor getting the second and Conor O'Tool adding the third. Rasharkin's only first half score came through Conor Mc Ferran as he flicked over a Brendan Cassidy forty five yard strike.
Tinryland dominance was noticeable in the second half through Luke Lawlor and Eoin Fields. Conall O'Se slotted over two points, Conor O'Tool added three and Eoin Fields added another as Tinryland ran out winners 3-9 to 0-3. Second half scores for Rasharkin came form Andrew Hasson and Sean Brennan, as Kristan Scott, Jonathan Mc Keown, Fergus Quigg and Eoghan Kennedy gave good accounts of themselves.
The two teams and management then headed for the club rooms for some well earned refreshments. Soup, sandwiches and tea all were served up by an army of kitchen staff. The two coaches then pulled out for the traditional Feile parade in Derry city. St.Mary's were no. 67 and our visitors Tinryland boys were no.68. The coaches stopped at Faughanvale as they were then ferried into Celtic Park where they joined the procession. The parade started at Celtic Park and made its way to Guild Hall Square via Lonemore Road, Lecky Road, The Diamond and Shipquay Street, where Uachtaran Christy Cooney awarded team captains a Feile Crest. Fergus Quigg collected for Rasharkin as Adam Nolan received for Tinryland. Everyone then made their way back to the bus for the journey home.
Both teams left for Coleraine on Saturday morning. Tinryland saw off Coleraine in the first game 3-6 to 1-3 before Rasharkin took on North London at 10.30am. The Londoners started off at blistering pace and found themselves two goals up after five minutes through Lyndon Bradley and Shaun Dunnellan. Rasharkin tried hard but didn't believe in their own ability as the city slickers turned on the pressure and scored at will three further goals from Lyndon Bradley, another from Shaun Dunnellan and one from Niall Walsh before the half.
It was the same story in the second half as London scored a further 2-4 from Lyndon Bradley and Shaun Buckley. Players of note for London were Liam Gallagher, Jodi Mc Guckin, Alfie Mc Nulty and Ryan Callaghan. Rasharkin had good performances from Jack Quinn, Dylan Doherty, Pearce Kelly, Jonathan Mc Keown and Conor Mc Ferran.
The skills competition was next - Fergus Quigg represented Rasharkin, Patrick Mullan represented Eoghan Rua, Shaun Buckley represented North London and Eoin Fields represented Tinryland. Eoin Fields progressed to the semi final in Banagher.
North London and Tinryland, Co Carlow, both had accrued four points each and two comprehensive victories. The winner of this match would represent this division in Banagher. The two teams fought out a tough contest with an exciting finish. John Murphy for Tinryland got a goal in the first half as London replied with three points through Killian Buckley and Ryan O'Sullivan. The second half had a similar story, points from Niall Lowry and Adam Buggle were not enough as London won by two points on a scoreline 0-7 to 1-2.
The last game of the day was St Mary's against Eoghan Rua. Brendan Cassidy was first of the mark for Rasharkin with a goal but Eoghan Rua replied with points from Paddy Mullan, Joseph Lundy and Kieran Tosh. A goal before the half from Paddy Mullan didn't help as Conor Mc Ferran replied for Rasharkin. Andrew Hasson collected a goal and a point in the second half as Paddy Mullan replied for Eoghan Rua with a goal to leave a full time score of 2-8 to 2-2. Good performances were had from Emmett Mc Ferran, Kristan Scott, Christy Connor, Sean Brennan, Jonathan Mc Keown, Martin Dunlop, Sean Brennan and Adrian Walls.
Tinryland then set off on their travels to take in a few sights with Rasharkin's very own "sat nav" Ciaran Hasson. They toured to the Giants Causeway and round the coast to come back to Castledawson to support their girls who had progressed to their final, beating the Sligo champs and making their way to the final with New York on Sunday.
Both teams and management, along with parents and host families met at the Manor House in Kilrea to conclude the evening with a delicious meal and entertainment. Mementos and gifts were exchanged from both clubs and everyone agreed that it might not have been successful on the playing field but it certainly was successful in terms of sportsmanship, participation and making good friends.
This event would not have been the success it was without the hard work from both clubs, Rasharkin chairman Brian O'Neill and Tinryland chairman Mick Murphy are to acknowledged for their leadership and delegation. St Marys wish to thank Tinryland players, mentors, parents and supporters. It would do no harm to single out Dermot O'Se, Brendan Farrell, Ger Corcoran, Richard Mc Grath, Johnny Nolan for special recognition.
Feile Officer Thomas Doherty is to be thanked along with his organising committee for the smooth running of this weekend. Team mentors Patrick Kennedy, Brendan Hegarty, Mickey Quinn and Terry Hasson are to be recognised for their work with the team. The panel of players are to be thanked for representing the club in the manner the did, Ciaran Hasson is to be thanked for his efforts in helping the smooth running of the weekend and his photography work, the host families are also to be thanked for their hospitality in catering for the Co Carlow visitors, the referees who controlled the games, the sandwich makers and tea ladies who played a vital roll throughout the weekend, the grounds men who as always put in the effort and did the club proud. Anyone who helped the club in any way please accept our appreciation.
Each year approximately 50,000 boys and girls from each of the 32 counties, and some teams from the UK, Europe and USA, participate in Féile. A preliminary competition is held in each county for the right to represent the county at the Féile finals. The winning club then travels to the host county.
Féile Peil na nOg places great emphasis and importance on participation and sportsmanship. Féile involves players, mentors, coaches, committee, clubs, families and community. It is recognised by the GAA as a major festival of great importance for the promotion of football among the youth of our country. Féile Peil na nOg helps to bond communities, forge friendships, provide educational opportunities and unearth new leaders.
Parteen County Clare in 1999 was the last time St.Mary's were involved in this competition when they saw off St.Galls in the county decider to represent Antrim. On that occasion they lost out on score difference to Co. Offaly's Tullamore.
County Derry had the privilege of hosting this competition for the first time in 2010, with Rasharkin being three miles to the Derry border St.Mary's GAC accepted the offer from Derry Feile Peil na nOg organising committee to host a team. The club were then advised early in the year that they would be hosting Tinryland GFC Co.Carlow. Ironically Tinryland competed for the first time in Feile in 1999, this year would be their seventh appearance, Feile County Champions representing Carlow on five occasions (1999, 2004, 2005, 2008 & 2010) and host clubs twice (2003 & 2006). This is an outstanding achievement for a club founded on 1990 and which now cater for more than 150 juveniles.
Preparation work in Rasharkin for this great tournament began in earnest in the spring, an organising committee was established to control the event being chaired by Thomas Doherty who became the club's Feile Officer. Throughout April, May and June the team and management started to get fine tuned for Feile with friendly matches organised with neighbouring Derry clubs such as Kilrea, Ballinascreen, Swatragh and Castledawson. We travelled to Owenbeg for blitzes' and hosted our own blitz at Dreen inviting Bellaghy, Castledawson, Ballerin and Swatragh. The grounds men started cutting strimming, lining pitches and cleaning up, host families were sourced and a heir of excitement rose in anticipation.
Dhoire Feile Peil na nOg graded St.Mary's into Boys Division 3 Group C along with Tinryland Co.Carlow, North London and Coleraine. The first game for Rasharkin was against Tinryland at Dreen on Friday 2nd July, followed by the parade in Derry with both teams then travelling to Coleraine on Saturday morning to take on North London and Coleraine alternatively. The winning team from this section would then progress to the semi final at Banagher on Saturday afternoon and if successful play their final at Foreglen on Sunday.
Proceedings got underway as Tinryland arrived in Rasharkin, both sides lined out and the game started shortly after 1.30pm on Friday. Rasharkin dominated the first five to ten minutes but couldn't show it on the scoreboard. Conor O'Toole shook off the jetlag to convert the first score for the visitors after seven minutes. Adam Murphy landed the first of three first half goals, Mark Lawlor getting the second and Conor O'Tool adding the third. Rasharkin's only first half score came through Conor Mc Ferran as he flicked over a Brendan Cassidy forty five yard strike.
Tinryland dominance was noticeable in the second half through Luke Lawlor and Eoin Fields. Conall O'Se slotted over two points, Conor O'Tool added three and Eoin Fields added another as Tinryland ran out winners 3-9 to 0-3. Second half scores for Rasharkin came form Andrew Hasson and Sean Brennan, as Kristan Scott, Jonathan Mc Keown, Fergus Quigg and Eoghan Kennedy gave good accounts of themselves.
The two teams and management then headed for the club rooms for some well earned refreshments. Soup, sandwiches and tea all were served up by an army of kitchen staff. The two coaches then pulled out for the traditional Feile parade in Derry city. St.Mary's were no. 67 and our visitors Tinryland boys were no.68. The coaches stopped at Faughanvale as they were then ferried into Celtic Park where they joined the procession. The parade started at Celtic Park and made its way to Guild Hall Square via Lonemore Road, Lecky Road, The Diamond and Shipquay Street, where Uachtaran Christy Cooney awarded team captains a Feile Crest. Fergus Quigg collected for Rasharkin as Adam Nolan received for Tinryland. Everyone then made their way back to the bus for the journey home.
Both teams left for Coleraine on Saturday morning. Tinryland saw off Coleraine in the first game 3-6 to 1-3 before Rasharkin took on North London at 10.30am. The Londoners started off at blistering pace and found themselves two goals up after five minutes through Lyndon Bradley and Shaun Dunnellan. Rasharkin tried hard but didn't believe in their own ability as the city slickers turned on the pressure and scored at will three further goals from Lyndon Bradley, another from Shaun Dunnellan and one from Niall Walsh before the half.
It was the same story in the second half as London scored a further 2-4 from Lyndon Bradley and Shaun Buckley. Players of note for London were Liam Gallagher, Jodi Mc Guckin, Alfie Mc Nulty and Ryan Callaghan. Rasharkin had good performances from Jack Quinn, Dylan Doherty, Pearce Kelly, Jonathan Mc Keown and Conor Mc Ferran.
The skills competition was next - Fergus Quigg represented Rasharkin, Patrick Mullan represented Eoghan Rua, Shaun Buckley represented North London and Eoin Fields represented Tinryland. Eoin Fields progressed to the semi final in Banagher.
North London and Tinryland, Co Carlow, both had accrued four points each and two comprehensive victories. The winner of this match would represent this division in Banagher. The two teams fought out a tough contest with an exciting finish. John Murphy for Tinryland got a goal in the first half as London replied with three points through Killian Buckley and Ryan O'Sullivan. The second half had a similar story, points from Niall Lowry and Adam Buggle were not enough as London won by two points on a scoreline 0-7 to 1-2.
The last game of the day was St Mary's against Eoghan Rua. Brendan Cassidy was first of the mark for Rasharkin with a goal but Eoghan Rua replied with points from Paddy Mullan, Joseph Lundy and Kieran Tosh. A goal before the half from Paddy Mullan didn't help as Conor Mc Ferran replied for Rasharkin. Andrew Hasson collected a goal and a point in the second half as Paddy Mullan replied for Eoghan Rua with a goal to leave a full time score of 2-8 to 2-2. Good performances were had from Emmett Mc Ferran, Kristan Scott, Christy Connor, Sean Brennan, Jonathan Mc Keown, Martin Dunlop, Sean Brennan and Adrian Walls.
Tinryland then set off on their travels to take in a few sights with Rasharkin's very own "sat nav" Ciaran Hasson. They toured to the Giants Causeway and round the coast to come back to Castledawson to support their girls who had progressed to their final, beating the Sligo champs and making their way to the final with New York on Sunday.
Both teams and management, along with parents and host families met at the Manor House in Kilrea to conclude the evening with a delicious meal and entertainment. Mementos and gifts were exchanged from both clubs and everyone agreed that it might not have been successful on the playing field but it certainly was successful in terms of sportsmanship, participation and making good friends.
This event would not have been the success it was without the hard work from both clubs, Rasharkin chairman Brian O'Neill and Tinryland chairman Mick Murphy are to acknowledged for their leadership and delegation. St Marys wish to thank Tinryland players, mentors, parents and supporters. It would do no harm to single out Dermot O'Se, Brendan Farrell, Ger Corcoran, Richard Mc Grath, Johnny Nolan for special recognition.
Feile Officer Thomas Doherty is to be thanked along with his organising committee for the smooth running of this weekend. Team mentors Patrick Kennedy, Brendan Hegarty, Mickey Quinn and Terry Hasson are to be recognised for their work with the team. The panel of players are to be thanked for representing the club in the manner the did, Ciaran Hasson is to be thanked for his efforts in helping the smooth running of the weekend and his photography work, the host families are also to be thanked for their hospitality in catering for the Co Carlow visitors, the referees who controlled the games, the sandwich makers and tea ladies who played a vital roll throughout the weekend, the grounds men who as always put in the effort and did the club proud. Anyone who helped the club in any way please accept our appreciation.
