Comórtas set to attract top players

SOME of the countries best known GAA stars including Meath’s Graham Geraghty, Cork’s Anthony Lynch, Donegal duo Kevin Cassidy and Brendan Boyle along with Kerry’s Darragh, Marc and Tomás O Sé are set to thrill spectators at the Comórtas Peile na Gaeltachta National finals in Belmullet in June (4-7).

The host club have invested over €1.8m in a new state-of-the-art GAA facility on the outskirts of town ahead of the annual competition for gaeltacht teams.

The new GAA complex boasts two playing pitches, 4 dressing rooms, a new club house, a covered stand and parking facilities. 10,000 people are set to attend the tournament with 25 teams competing.

Former Mayo All Star and Belmullet native Willie Joe Padden launched the competition yesterday.

“The Comórtas Peile na Gaeltachta national finals showcase all that is good about the GAA. It was such a great honour for me to play and win two national Comórtas titles during the eighties with Belmullet and now it is a great honour for me to be launching the 2010 national competition on my own doorstep.

“I am delighted that the national Comórtas finals are back in Mayo and I am sure everyone that comes to Béal a’Mhuirthead will get a massive Céad Míle Fáilte,” he stated.

The national finals of Comórtas Peile na Gaeltachta will be broadcast on TG4 and RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta.

“We have every hotel room, hostel, B+B and holiday home in north Mayo earmarked for the event. Teams are coming from Belfast, London, Kerry, Cork, Galway, Donegal, Waterford, Meath and of course Mayo to participate in the event this year,” commented Sean O Gallchóir Cathaoirleach of CLG Bhéal a’Mhuirthead.