Naas too good for Nemo

The Connacht GAA Centre in Bekan, Co Mayo was a hive of footballing activity yesterday as the finals of Feile Peil na nÓg took place.

The Division 1 blue ribband awards went to Naas boys and Foxrock/Cabinteely girls, while South London staged a surprise in the boys Division 3 and New York girls also picked up their best ever result at the competition with victory in their Division 3 final.

An estimated 15,000 to 18,000 people attended the three days of football andaccording to ConnachtGAA Secretary John Prenty the event was a massivesuccess.

“This is why we opened this place, to stage events like this. Nearly 5,000 children took part in the games over all. It was a huge success,” Prenty said.

In the boys Division 1 Cup final Kildare’s Naas defeated Nemo Rangers 2-9 to 1-6, which clinched a week to remember for the club after last week winning the Division 2 hurling title in Derry.

Foxrock/Cabinteely turned on the style in the second-half to defeat Galway’s Kilkerrin/Clonberne in the girls Division 1 Cup final, holding their opponents scoreless in the second period to register a 1-6 to 1-2 victory.

All-Saints of Ballymena, Antrim beat Portlaoise to claim the Division 2 boys Cup by two points, but the boys Division 3 Cup final was, for many, game of the day as South London stunned Monaghan’s Aughnamullen 3-2 to 0-8 which equalled the best ever performance by a British team in the Feile. A 2-2 haul from the talented Will Ozono – who recently signed as a schoolboy with Crystal Palace – lit up the final, but the team effort pleased their coach.

“Some of these lads are only playing football for a few months now,” said South London manager Brian Smith. “The lads have been outstanding throughout. Some of them were introduced to Gaelic football in Primary School. The coaching has really paid off,” said the Westmeath native.

And to add to the international festivities, the New York girls team were next on the winners’ rostrum to collect their Division 3 Cup after their 4-3 to 2-4 victory over Down’s Carrigduff.

“I’m going to Disneyland!,” said New York manager, Pat McGovern. “I don’t know what to say I’m stuck for words right now and that’s a rarity, we’re just going to enjoy tonight and you’ll have to drag us out of here,” said the Donegal native.

In the girls competitions there was plenty to celebrate for Galway’s Corofin, who edged past Kilkenny City 2-3 to 1-4, to claim the Division 1 Shield, while Bredagh, from Down, captured the Division 1 Boys Shield after defeating Ulster rivals, Killeshil of Tyrone, in the final.