UNDERAGE CLUB FÉILE HURLING REPORT
Participation at Féile naGael 2019 saw Clonakilty GAA Club rise to the challenge of being Féile HQ for the weekend of 7th to 9th June as a number of local Clubs and their visiting teams competed in Division 5 of Féile naGael hurling, including our own U14 team.
We hosted games throughout the whole weekend – Friday evening, Saturday morning and afternoon and Semi-Finals and Finals throughout Sunday.
We welcomed a tremendous group of players, coaches and parents from the O’Rahillys Hurling team of Co. Down, an amalgamated team from Castlewellan GAA and Liatroim-Fontenoys GAA.
The Down visitors joined us from Friday afternoon and, thanks to families of our own U14 squad, we provided accommodation for a large contingent of O’Rahillys players.
The friendships that developed between both teams over such a short period of time was a fantastic experience for all.
On the pitch, we were drawn in a group with our new friends from O’Rahillys, our neighbours St. Colums and their host team Naomh Eoin, Sligo in Group A.
The Clon boys commenced the battle for Féile glory on Friday evening with a comprehensive win over Naomh Eoin scoring 5.09 against Naomh Eoin’s 1.02.
This was followed by a defeat to St. Colums in the second group game, final score being 1.08 to 1.02.
Early Saturday morning, Ahamilla was buzzing with all Clonakilty hurling and camogie teams playing their visiting teams in three exciting games.
The hurlers took on O’Rahillys of Down and ran out three point winners in what was our final group game on a scoreline on 2.03 to 2.00.
We went on to play our Cup Quarter Final later on Saturday, and despite putting on our best performance of the weekend and possibly of the season, Bandon emerged as winners scoring 2.08 to our 1.04.
With games being 15 minutes per half, some early scores conceded proved just too much to claw back.
Over our four Féile matches, our boys played with a skill level, intensity and commitment that will surely set a new standard for the rest of the season and through the whole experience we were led on the pitch by our excellent captain Fionn McCarthy.
The group results meant O’Rahillys progressed to the Shield quarter-finals where they played Lámh Dearg from Keady, Co. Armagh in a lively contest at 2pm on Saturday afternoon.
Our guests went on to win the Shield Competition against Ibane Gaels.
Winning against Courcey Rovers in the Cup Semi-Final, Bandon went on to take the Cup title after extra time against Four Roads from Roscommon in an exhilarating Final on Sunday afternoon, scoring 4.08 to Four Roads 3.05.
The Clon U14 boys may take some consolation from being defeated by the eventual winners of the Cup, having won their group stage match against the eventual winners of the Shield, our visiting team from Co. Down.
Féile 2019 has been an unbelievably positive experience for everyone involved with underage hurling in Clonakilty.
There has been so much to learn from observing how other teams and their mentors
operate and being part of such an exciting competition.
We are extremely thankful to the vast number of people who helped out over the weekend in the club and in the lead-up to the Féile weekend.
Thanks to all our U14 parents, including host families, for all their support.
A special thank you to Fintan O’Regan and Denis Murphy for their involvement in coaching the lads.
Qualification efforts for Féile 2020 have already begun!
On behalf of the Underage Club and Organising Committee:
Colm Murnane,
Underage Chairperson
