Courtesy of The Western People
The National Feile na nGael hurling championships celebrates its 40th anniversity this year, as the nation’s biggest underage hurling competition arrives in Clare. Over 100 teams of hurling, camogie and handballers will descend on the Banner County next weekend, for one of Ireland’s most prestigious tournaments.
Mayo will be represented by the Moytura hurling club based in Ballinrobe. The club, which was founded in 2006, were the surprise winners in this year’s Mayo feile competition, fending off the challenge of Castlebar, Westport and fellow newcomers Caiseal Gaels to take the ‘A’ title for the first time. Moytura will be hosted by the Cratloe club from South Clare in Division 3 of the competition, while also grouped with Broadford (Clare) and Castletowngeoghegan (Westmeath). Hopes are high in South Mayo that Moytura will cause a shock or two along the way.In the camogie competition, Mayo will again be represented by the Na Brideoga Club in East Mayo. Na Brideoga are the current All-Ireland Division 4 Feile na nGael champions, and this year will compete for the Division 3 prize. They are to be hosted by the Inagh Camogie club in West Clare, and are also grouped with Wolfe Tones (Clare) and Celbridge (Kildare).Mayo’s other participant on the weekend will be Sean Mulroy, who takes part in the National Feile na nGael Skills competition. The Straide native becomes the first Ballyvary hurler to represent his club at Feile na nGael.
