Féile fever grips Leeside
For the next three days, boys and girls will take part in a series of games in different groups, commencing this afternoon, which will culminate in eight finals on Sunday (three for camogie and five for boys' hurling).
Yesterday, teams from the 31 other counties - in some cases two - converged on the southern capital, where they were met by their host clubs.
The games get underway thisafternoon with the opening rounds in the round robin series down for decision at venues throughout the city and county.
The camogie commences at 2pm. and the boys hurling at 3pm. The handball games commence tomorrow for boys and girls at venues in County Cork and Limerick.
There are many highlights in Féile, principally the parade. Patrick Street will come to a standstill later this evening when all 96 teams will march in procession through the city's main thoroughfare to a reviewing stand in Emmet Place.
Prizes will be awarded for the best-dressed team and the best banner. Féile will culminate with the finals on Sunday in Páirc Uí Rinn and Páirc Uí Chaoimh.
Féile was the brainchild of Tommy Barrett, former secretary of the Tipperary County Board, who, with former GAA president Séamus Ó Riain and Eamon Stafford, felt there was a need to do something which would have some effect nationally for hurling. The idea was floated at Croke Park, who backed it wholeheartedly and so Féile was born. The first year the age limit was U15 and the Blackrock club from Cork were the winners with a team that included Tom Cashman, who later went on to captain his county to All-Ireland senior success in 1986.
As the Féile grew in popularity the age limit was reduced to U14 and several different grades were introduced in order that teams were competing at their own level. The concept of accommodating young hurlers was excellent and visiting teams get the opportunity to stay in the homes of families with an interest in hurling. This brought great spirit to the occasion.
Understandably, many of today's senior players played in Féile. Wolfe Tones (Clare) are the only club to win a hat-trick of titles, and current senior Frank Lohan played in two, 1987 and 1988. "Féile was huge for our club. Ger Loughnane was our coach for the 1986 finals, and his preparation set the standard. The joy at winning the prestigious Christy Ring Trophy knew no bounds.
"After winning again in 1987, the dream of winning three in a row was just that, a dream but we were determined to make it a reality. In total, we played five matches and met and beat Bishopstown from Cork in the final. The scenes of jubilation at the final whistle had to be seen to be believed. I will never forget my Féile days. They gave me the incentive to go on to greater things."
Cork's Glen Rovers, who top the roll of honour with neighbours Na Piarsaigh on five titles won, created their own piece of Féile history in the 1970s.
The three McCarthy brothers, Dave, Jim and Liam captained the club to win title, Liam in Togher in 1975, Jim in Páirc Uí Chaoimh in 1976 and Dave in Kilkenny in 1979.
Since the inception of Féile in 1971 Coca-Cola have sponsored the competition, which makes it the longest-running sponsorship deal in the history of the GAA.
Sunday
:
Division 1, Páirc Uí Chaoimh, 11am.
Division 2, Páirc Uí Rinn, 12.30pm.,
Division 3, Páirc Ui Rinn,1.30pm.
:
Division 4, Páirc Uí Chaoimh, 10am.
Division 3, Páirc Uí Rinn, 10.30am.
Division 5, Páirc Uí Rinn, 11.30am.
Division 2, Páirc Uí Chaoimh, 12noon
Division 1, Páirc Uí Chaoimh, 1pm.
:
Today: First Round: Midleton v Wexford, Midleton, 3 pm; Erins Own v Dublin 1, Caherlag, 3 pm
Tomorrow: Second Round: Midleton v Dublin 1, Midleton, 10 am; Erin's Own v Wexford, Midleton, 10.45 am
Third Round: Midleton v Erins Own, Midleton, 11.45 am; Dublin 1 v Wexford, Midleton, 12.30 pm
Today: First Round: St. Finbarr's v Offaly, Togher, 3 pm; Blackrock v Clare, Blackrock, 3 pm
Tomorrow: Second Round: St. Finbarrs v Clare, Togher, 10 am; Blackrock v Offaly, Togher 10.45, am.
Third Round: St. Finbarrs v Blackrock, Togher, 11.45am; Offaly v Clare, Togher, 12.30pm
Today: First Round: Carrigaline v Kilkenny, Carrigaline, 3pm; Douglas v Waterford, Douglas, 3pm.
Tomorrow: Second Round: Carrigaline v Waterford, Carrigaline, 10am; Douglas v Kilkenny, Carrigaline, 10.45am.
Third Round: Carrigaline v Douglas, Carrigaline, 11.45am; Waterford v Kilkenny, Carrigaline, 12.30pm.
Today: First round: Na Piarsaigh v Limerick, Piarsaigh Grounds, 3 pm; Glen Rovers v Tipperary, Glen Field, 3 pm.
Tomorrow: Second Round: Na Piarsaigh v Tipperary, Piarsaigh Grounds, 10 am; Glen Rovers v Limerick, Piarsaigh Grounds, 10.45 am.
Third Round: Na Piarsaigh v Glen Rovers, Piarsaigh Grounds, 11.45 am; Limerick v Tipperary, Piarsaigh Grounds, 12.30 p,.m.
Today: First Round: Mallow v Dublin 2, Mallow, 3 pm; Newtownshandrum v Galway, Newtownshandrum, 3 pm.
Tomorrow: Second Round: Mallow v Galway, Mallow, 10 am; Newtownshandrum v Dublin 2, Mallow, 10.45 am.
Third Round: Mallow v Newtownshandrum, Mallow, 11.45 am; Dublin 2 v Galway, Mallow, 12.30 pm.
Quarter-finals: Winners Section C v Winners Section A, venue TBA 3.30 pm.
Semi-finals: Winners Section D v Quarter-final Winners, venue TBA, 7 pm. Winners Section E v Winners Section B, venue TBA, 7 pm.
Iomáint Division 2 (Canon Fogarty Trophy)
Today: First Round: Aghada v Meath 1, Aghada, 3 pm; Carrigtwohill v Down 1, Carrigtwohill, 3 pm.
Tomorrow: Second Round: Aghada v Down 1, Aghada, 10 am; Carrigtwohill v Meath 1, Aghada, 10.45 am.
Third Round: Aghada v Carrigtwohill, Aghada, 11.45 am; Down 1 v Meath 1, Aghada, 12.30 pm.
Today: First Round: St. Vincents v Mayo 1, Pairc Uinsinn, 3 pm; Killeagh/Itas v Kildare 1, Killeagh, 3 pm.
Tomorrow: Second Round: St. Vincents v Kildare 1, Pairc Uinsinn, 10 am; Killeagh/Itas v Mayo 1, Pairc Uinsinn, 10.45 am.
Third Round: St. Vincents v Killeagh/Itas, Pairc Uinsinn, 11.45 am; Kildare 1 v Mayo 1, Pairc Uinsinn, 12.30 pm.
Today: First Round: Éire Óg v Wicklow 1, Ovens, 3 pm; Cloughduv v Laois 1, Cloughduv, 3 pm.
Tomorrow: Second Round: Eire Og v Laois 1, Ovens, 10 am; Cloughduv v Wicklow 1, Ovens, 10.45 am.
Third Round: Eire Og v Cloughduv, Ovens, 11.45 am; Laois 1 v Wicklow 1, Ovens, 12.30 pm.
Today: First Round: Blarney v Carlow 1, Blarney, 3 pm; Sean Clarachs v Westmeath 1, Charleville, 3 pm.
Tomorrow: Second Round: Blarney v Westmeath 1, Blarney, 10 am; Sean Clarachs v Carlow 1, Blarney, 10.45 am.
Third Round: Blarney v Sean Clarachs, Blarney, 11.45 am; Westmeath 1 v Carlow 1, Blarney, 12.30 pm.
Today: First Round: Sarsfields v Roscommon 1, Riverstown, 3 pm; Inniscarra v Antrim 1, Ballyanly, 3 pm.
Tomorrow: Second Round: Sarsfields v Antrim 1, Riverstown, 10 am; Inniscarra v Roscommon 1, Riverstown, 10.45 am.
Third Round: Sarsfields v Inniscarra, Riverstown, 11.45 am; Antrim 1 v Roscommon 1, Riverstown, 12.30 pm.
Today: First Round: St. Brogans v Kerry 1, Bandon, 3 pm; Bishopstown v Derry 1, Bishopstown, 3 pm.
Tomorrow: Second Round: St. Brogans v Derry 1, Bandon, 10 am; Bishopstown v Kerry 1, Bandon, 10.45 am.
Third Round: St. Brogans v Bishopstown, Bandon, 11.45 am; Derry 1 v Kerry 1, Bandon, 12.30 pm.
Quarter-finals: 1. Winners Section E v Winners Section A, venue TBA, 3.30 pm.
2. Winners Section D v Winners Section B, venue TBA, 3.30 pm.
Semi-finals: Winners of 1 v Winners of 2, venue TBA, 7 pm; Winners Section C v Winners Section F, venue TBA, 7 pm.
Iomáint Division 3 (Michael Cusack Trophy)
Today: First Round: Brian Dillons v Tyrone 1, Tank Field, 3 pm;
Youghal v Kildare 2, Youghal, 3 pm.
Tomorrow: Second Round: Brian Dillons v Kildare 2, Tank Field, 10 am; Youghal v Tyrone 1, Tank Field, 10.45 am.
Third Round: Brian Dillons v Youghal, Tank Field, 11.45 am; Youghal v Tyrone 1, Tank Field, 12.30 pm.
Today: First Round: Fermoy v Antrim 2, Fermoy, 3 pm; St. Catherines v Carlow 2, Ballynoe, 3 pm.
Tomorrow: Second Round: Fermoy v Carlow 2, Fermoy, 10 am; St. Catherines v Antrim 2, Fermoy, 10.45 am.
Third Round: Fermoy v St. Catherines, Fermoy, 11.45 am; Carlow 2 v Antrim 2, Fermoy, 12.30 pm.
Today: First Round: Kilta Og v Meath 2, venue TBA, 3 pm; Fr. O'Neills v Roscommon 2, Ladysbridge, 3 pm.
Tomorrrow: Second Round: Kilta Og v Roscommon 2, Venue TBA, 10 am; Fr. O'Neills v Meath 2, Venue TBA, 10.45 am.
Third Round: Kilta Og v Fr. O'Neills, venue TBA, 11.45 am; Roscommon 2 v Meath 2, venue TBA 10.45 am.
Today: First Round: Newcestown v Armagh 1, Newcestown, 3 pm; Courcey Rovers v Kerry 2, Ballinspittle, 3 pm.
Tomorrow: Second Round: Newcestown v Kerry 2, Newcestown, 10 am; Courcey Rovers v Armagh 1, Newcestown, 10.45 am.
Third Round: Newcestown v Courcey Rovers, Newcestown, 11.45 am; Kerry 2 v Armagh 1, Newcestown, 12.30 pm.
Today: First Round: Aghabullogue v Westmeath 2, Coachford, 3 pm; Croke Rovers v Wicklow 2, Kanturk, 3 pm.
Tomorrow: Second Round: Aghabullogue v Wicklow, Coachford, 10 am; Croke Rovers v Westmeath 2, Coachford, 10.45 am.
Third Round: Aghabullogue v Croke Rovers, Coachford, 11.45 am; Wicklow 2 v Westmeath 2, Coachford, 12.30 pm.
Quarter-finals: Winners Section E v Winners Section C, venue TBA, 3.30 pm.
Semi-finals: Winners Section B v Quarter-final Winners, venue TBA, 7 pm; Winners Section A v Winners Section D, venue TBA, 7 pm.
Iomáint Division 4 (Dr Birch Trophy)
Today: First Round: Russell Rovers v Donegal, Shanagarry, 3 pm; Mayfield v Down 2, Mayfield, 3 pm.
Tomorrow: Second Round: Russell Rovers v Down 2, Shanagarry, 10 am; Mayfield v Donegal, Shanagarry, 11 am.
Third Round: Russell Rovers v Mayfield, Shanagarry, 12.15 pm; Down 2 v Donegal, Shanagarry, 1.15 pm.
Today: First Round: Kilbrittain v Mayo 2, Kilbrittain, 3 pm; Sam Maguires v Tyrone 2, Dunmanway, 3 pm.
Tomorrow: Second Round: Kilbrittain v Tyrone 2, Kilbrittain, 10 am; Sam Maguires v Mayo 2, Kilbrittain 11 am.
Third Round: Kilbrittain v Sam Maguires, Kilbrittain, 12.15 pm; Tyrone 2 v Mayo 2, Kilbrittain, 1.15 pm.
Today: First Round: Valley Rovers v Louth 1, Innishannon, 3 pm; Baqllinhassig v Armagh 2, Ballinhassig 3 pm.
Tomorrow: Second Round: Valley Rovers v Armagh 2, Innishannon, 10 a.m; Ballinhassig v Louth 1, Innishannon, 11 am.
Third Round: Valley Rovers v Ballinhassig, Innishannon, 12.15 pm; Armagh 2 v Louth 1, Innishannon, 1.15 pm.
Today: First Round: St. Marks v Cavan, Kilbrin, 3 pm; Milford v Derry 2, Milford, 3 pm.
Tomorrow: Second Round: St. Marks v Derry 2, Kilbrin, 10 am; Milford v Cavan, Kilbrin, 11 am.
Third Round: St. Marks v Milford, Kilbrin, 12.15 pm; Derry 2 v Cavan, Kilbrin, 1.15 pm.
Semi-finals: Winners Section A v Winners Section B, venue TBA, 7 pm; Winners Section C v Winners Section D, venue TBA, 7 pm.
Iomáint Division 5 (McMahon Trophy)
Today: First Round: Carrignavar v Warwickshire, Carrignavar, 3 pm; Kanturk v Monaghan, Kanturk, 3 pm.
Tomorrow: Second Round:Carrignavar v Monaghan, Carrignavar, 10 am; Kanturk v Warwickshire, Carrignavar 11 am.
Third Round: Carrignavar v Kanturk, Carrignavar, 12.15 pm; Monaghan v Warwickshire, Carrignavar, 1.15 pm.
Today: First Round: Watergrasshill v Sligo, Watergrasshill, 3 pm; Castlelyons v Leitrim Castlelyons, 3 pm.
Tomorrow: Second Round: Watergrasshill v Leitrim, Watergrasshill, 10 am; Castlelyons v Sligo, Watergrasshill, 11 am.
Third Round: Watergrasshill v Castlelyons, Watergrasshill, 12.15 pm; Leitrim v Sligo, Watergrasshill, 1.15 pm.
Today: First Round: Glanworth v Louth 2, Glanworth, 3 pm; Ballygiblin v Fermanagh, Ballygiblin, 3 pm.
Tomorrow: Second Round:Glanworth v Fermanagh, Glanworth, 10 am; Ballygiblin v Louth 2, Glanworth, 11 am.
Third Round: Glanworth v Ballygiblin, Glanworth, 12.15 pm; Fermanagh v Louth 2, Glanworth, 1.15 pm.
Today: First Round: Kinsale v London, Kinsale, 3 pm; Kilmeen/Kilbree v Longford, Kilmeen, 3 pm.
Tomorrow: Second Round: Kinsale v Longford, Kinsale, 10 am; Kilmeen/Kilbree v London, Kilmeen, 11 am.
Third Round: Kinsale v Kilmeen/Kilbree, Kinsale, 12.15 pm; Longford v London, Kinsale, 1.15 pm.
Semi-finals: Winners Section B v Winners v Section C, venue TBA, 7 pm; Winners Section A v Winners Section D, venue TBA, 7 pm.
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
