Féile na nGael a winner in Clare

A MAGNIFICENT milestone for Féile na nGael and the GAA was how association president Christy Cooney described the Féile na nGael festival, which took place in County Clare last weekend.
“It was a magnificent weekend, a fitting tribute to the 40th anniversary celebrations and one that will live long in the memory of everyone that attended,” the president added, before paying tribute to the organisers, the participants and all in Clare, who contributed to the weekend.
Three Clare clubs featured amongst the winners, with Tulla winning the Division 1 handball crown, Éire Óg claiming the Division 2 camogie title and St Breckan’s capturing Division 4 hurling honours and the Dr Birch Trophy.
Ruan and Ogonnelloe contested hurling finals, while Wolfe Tones and Killanena reached camogie finals, with Clooney reaching a girls’ handball final but all had to be content with the runner-up spots.
Turloughmore from Galway won the Division 1 hurling title and the Christy Ring Trophy when they defeated the hot favourites Na Piarsaigh from Cork at Cusack Park on Sunday afternoon.
It was the Galway club’s first such success and they won on a scoreline of 0-12 to 1-4.
In the Camogie Division 1 final, Lucan-Sarsfields of Dublin defeated Burgess-Duharra of Tipperary by 6-4 to 0-2, winning the Corn Uí Phuirseil Trophy, which they last won in 2008.
Over 4,000 youths from clubs throughout Ireland and beyond participated in the finals over the three days of competition.
The Féile parade, one of the highlights of the festival, took place on Friday evening and huge numbers turned out to see the participating teams in hurling, camogie and handball parade through the streets of Ennis, having assembled at Cusack Park.
The finalists were presented with their medals by the respective presidents of the associations, Christy Cooney, Joan O’Flynn (camogie) and Tony Hannon (handball).
Results
Hurling
Division 1 Christy Ring Trophy: Turloughmore 0-12, Na Piarsaigh 1-4
Division 2 Canon Fogarty Trophy: Raharney 4-10, Bredagh 1-3
Division 3 Michael Cusack Trophy: Castletowngeoghen 5-8, Ruádhán 5-8
Division 4 Dr Birch Trophy: St Breckans 1-7 Tubber/Crusheen 1-5
Division 5 McMahon Trophy: Naomh Eoin 1-4, Ogonnelloe 1-2
Division 6 Lár Tíre Trophy: Seán O’Heslin’s, Ballinamore 2-2, Old Christians 0-3.

Camogie
Division 1 Corn Uí Phuirséil: Lucan Sarsfields 6-4, Burgess Duharra 0-2
Division 2 Caithlín Ní Thoimín Shield: Éire Óg Ennis 2-3, Camross 1-1
Division 3 Shield: Celbridge 5-1, Wolfe Tones Shannon 1-1
Division 4 Coiste Chontae an Chláir Shield: Ciarraí 4-5, Cill an Aonaigh 0-0.

Boys’ handball 40 x 20
Division 1: Winners, Tulla; runners-up, Carrickmore, Tyrone
Division 2: Winners, Kiltimagh, Mayo; runners-up, St Bridget’s, Laois
Division 3: Winners, Friary Abbeyside, Waterford; runners-up, St Patricks, Cavan
Division 4: Winners, Goresbridge, Kilkenny; runners-up, St Canice’s, Kilkenny
Division 5: Winners, Malloe, Cork; runners-up, Cullohill, Laois
Division 6: Winners, Broadford, Limerick; runners-up, Brian Ború, Dublin.

60 x 30
Division 1: Winners, Cashel; runners-up, Mullinavat
Division 2: Winners, Clogh, Kilkenny; runners-up, Ballina, Tipperary.

Girls’ 40 x 20
Division 1: Winners, Michael Breathnach, Galway; runners-up, Ballymacgelligot, Kerry
Division 2: Winners, Leixlip; runners-up, Clooney
Division 3: Winners, Leixlip; runners-up, Knock.