Féile celebrates ten years
“We want to honour the parents and coaches who ensure thousands of young players are brought together annually in celebration of the GAA’s community ethos through underage competition.”
Those were the words of John West Ireland Head of Marketing, Anne-Claire Monde, as John West, sponsors of the GAA’s under-15 annual Féile Peile na nÓg (football) and Féile na nGael (camogie and hurling) competitions, revealed how they want to honour Cork's ‘unsung heroes’ of Féile as part of its celebration of the 10 year anniversary of the partnership.
To mark the hugely successful decade long collaboration, it brought together parents with current and future stars at the launch in Croke Park of John West Féile 2025.
Féile veterans and John West Féile 2025 Ambassadors, inter-county players Aoife Donohue, Galway (camogie); Cork’s Patrick Horgan (hurling), Niall Morgan, Tyrone (Gaelic football) and Dublin LGFA’s Carla Rowe were joined by their parents as well as parents and players across all four codes from Whitehall Colmcille GAA Club.
She said: “Throughout its sponsorship of Féile, John West has focused on the importance of natural, tasty nutrition in fuelling families, whilst encouraging teenagers to participate in Gaelic games and enjoy an active, healthy lifestyle. John West Féile is, for many players, their first time to compete in a national competition. We have always been focused on ensuring a positive experience for players, parents and coaches who make such a valuable contribution to ensure it is so special.”
In the 10 years of John West’s sponsorship of Féile, the competition has grown to become one of the biggest underage sporting events in Europe.
This year’s Féile na nGael national division one finals will take place at Halo Tiles Wexford GAA Centre of Excellence in Ferns on Saturday 21 June.
The Féile Peile na nÓg national division one finals will take place at the Derry GAA Centre of Excellence at Owenbeg a week later on Saturday 28 June.
In 2024, more than 400 teams, comprising 9,000 players competed in the final stages alone. Féile na nGael has been in existence since 1971, while Féile Peile na nÓg will mark 43 years this year.
Regional finals in all four codes for division 2 and 3 sides will also take place on the second last Saturday in June (Féile na nGael) and the last Saturday of that month (Féile Peile na nÓg), at venues nationwide.
Féile na nGael county competitions will be played over the month of April, with Féile Peile na nÓg county competitions taking place over the month of May.
Uachtarán CLG, Jarlath Burns, said Féile is an integral and very important part of the GAA calendar. “It has nurtured a wonderful enthusiasm for our games and has been the making of many friendships and memories. Generations have experienced the joy of being a part of Féile na nGael and Féile Peile na nÓg. I look forward to seeing that tradition continue this year.”
Ladies Gaelic Football Association President, Trina Murray, highlighted the Féile’s emphasis on fun, friendship and participation. She said: “Players will make new friends and re-connect with old friends. John West Féile will once again provide young players with lifelong memories.”
Brian Molloy, Uachtarán of The Camogie Association, said the concept of Féile na nGael has thrived through the invaluable contribution of parents and coaches.
“I hope John West Féile 2025 will be a positive experience both on and off the field for everyone involved and I would like to pay tribute to the volunteers who make such a valuable contribution to make it so special,” he said.