Féile na nGael hurling groupings announced

SEVENTY-two teams will compete in the National Féile na nGael hurling competition in Clare in June. They will be divided into six divisions.
In camogie, 56 teams will compete and they will be divided across four divisions.
Five clubs from outside of Clare have agreed to act as hosts clubs with four of these in Galway and one in Limerick. Gort, Ardrahan, Michael Cusacks (Beagh and Kilbeacanty) and one more to be confirmed will be joined by Na Piarsaigh. Gort, Ardrahan and Na Piarsaigh will compete in Division 1 for the Christy Ring Trophy while the other two Galway clubs will be in Division 2 where the winners will receive the Canon Fogarty Trophy.
Divisions 1 and 2 will have 10 teams each with the winners of each group going through to the play-offs. This will result in one quarter-final.
The remaining four divisions will have eight teams in two groups of four and two will qualify from each group for the semi-finals.
Monday’s draw was attended by national committee chairman, Jerome Conway, who is also the chairman of Kerry GAA and by Pat Doherty the national Féile secretary.
The teams were drawn by national chairman Conway and by the Clare Féile chairman, Ger Hickey.
Prior to the draw, both the Clare chairman Michael O’Neill and Jerome Conway addressed the gathering.
Conway told a packed hall that all counties that have hosted the Féile have benefitted.
“This is an opportunity for the clubs to rejuvenate and re-examine their structures,” he said.
In his address, Clare chairman Ger Hickey stressed the importance of all clubs having a Féile officer in place.
“There are still a few clubs that haven’t done this,” he said, appealing to those present to make the appointment this week.

The groupings are (host club named first):
Division 1, Christy Ring Trophy
Section A: Gort v Tipperary; Ardrahan v Kilkenny 2;
Section B: Na Piarsaigh v Galway; Clonlara v Waterford;
Section C: Sixmilebridge v Limerick; Éire Óg v Kilkenny 1;
Section D: Inagh-Kilnamona v Cork; Kilmaley v Wexford;
Section E: Doora-Barefield v Dublin; Wolfe Tones v Offaly.

Division 2, Canon Fogarty Trophy
Section A: Michael Cusack’s v Kerry; Outside host v Down;
Section B: Newmarket v Carlow; Ballyea v Laois;
Section C: Feakle-Killanena v Meath; Clooney-Quin v Wicklow;
Section D: Smith O’Brien’s v Derry 1; O’Callaghan’s Mills v Kildare;
Section E: Clarecastle v Westmeath 1; Tulla v Antrim.

Division 3, Michael Cusack Trophy
Section A: Broadford v Westmeath 2; Cratloe v Mayo;
Section B: Corofin v Roscommon; Ruan v Armagh.

Division 4, Dr BirchTrophy
Section A: Scariff v Derry 2; Parteen v Donegal;
Section B: Crusheen-Tubber v Longford; St Breckan’s v Tyrone.

Division 5, McMahon Trophy
Section A: Ogonnelloe v Cavan; Meelick v Louth;
Section B: Whitegate v Monaghan; Bodyke v Fermanagh;

Division 6, Lár Tíre Trophy
Section A: Banner v London; Ennistymon v Warwickshire;
Section B: Kilmaley v Sligo; Doora-Barefield v Leitrim.