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Pictured at Dublin’s Sandymount Strand for the launch of the Lidl Comórtas Peile Páidi Ó Sé 2019 GAA Football Festival, which takes place in the Dingle Peninsula from 15th to 17th February, was former Kerry star Kieran Donaghy and Dublin All-Ireland winner Lyndsey Davey. Photo by Thomas White
GAA clubs from Tralee will join teams from the United Arab Emirates, Scotland, England and 17 counties across the four provinces of Ireland taking part in the 30th anniversary of the Lidl Comórtas Peile Páidi Ó Sé 2019, with 44 adult men’s and ladies club teams descending on the Dingle Peninsula from February 15-17.
The football festival, which is supported by Lidl Ireland, EJ Menswear.com, Kerry County Council Tourism Unit and Lee Strand Milk, was officially launched at an event in Dublin this week by former Kerry great Kieran Donaghy and Dublin ladies star and holder of three senior All-Irelands Lyndsey Davey, and which was also attended by Kerry Ladies nine-in-a-row legend Eileen Lawlor, Listowel’s Billy Keane, Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh, former Kildare footballer Dermot Earley and many more.
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The festival, founded by Kerry iconic footballer Páidi Ó Sé, has attracted over 15,000 club players over 30 years and has grown into a major international GAA event with senior, intermediate and junior competitions as well as teams attending cultural and social events at Comórtas HQ, Páidí Ó Sé’s pub in Ventry, Co. Kerry.
There is some stiff opposition in the Dermot Earley senior men’s cup with Westmeath’s Rosemount back to defend their 2018 title against local sides An Daingean, Milltown Castlemaine and An Ghaeltacht while newcomers including Laois’s Portarlington and Éire Óg Inis of Clare will be attempting to leave their mark on this historic year.
Also competing at senior level is Cork’s Knocknagree, who won the Comórtasintermediate final two years ago, setting them on their winning ways to All-Ireland Intermediate Club final victory in Croke Park later that season.
There are 11 Kerry teams competing in total. Apart from the senior Kerry clubs, the intermediate men’s clubs include Annascaul, Lispole, Cromane and Renard. The intermediate ladies’ competition sees Austin Stacks and Corca Dhuibhne togging out while John Mitchel’s and Dingle Ladies line out in the Junior Ladies competition.
The football festival will also host nightly free music and entertainment which is open to the general public and a Saturday Night Players Banquet at the Comórtas marquee at Páidi Ó Sé’s pub in Ard a’ Bhóthair , Ventry
Comórtas Chairman Pádraig Óg Ó Sé said; “We are delighted with the response to our 30th anniversary Comórtas with 17 counties represented, the largest amount in our history. The support of local host clubs is crucial in ensuring we can maintain such a high number of teams and we thank them for their co-operation.”
Michael Collins, Regional Manager, Lidl Ireland said; “We are delighted to continue our partnership with this year’s Comortas Peile Paidi O Se. Our store teams in Dingle and Tralee are proud to support the Comortas Peile Paidi O Se and we are all looking forward to the festival of Gaelic Football ahead.”
PARTICIPATING CLUBS
SENIOR MEN’S
· An Ghaeltacht CLG, Kerry
· Daingean Ui Chuis, Dingle, Co. Kerry
· Milltown Castlemaine, Kerry
· Éire Óg Inis, Ennis, Co Clare
· Knocknagree, North Cork
· Portarlington, Co Laois
· Rosemount GAA, Rosemount, Co. Westmeath
· Ballydesmond, Co. Cork
INTERMEDIATE MEN’S
· Annascaul GAA, Annascaul, West Kerry
· Lispole GAA, Lispole, West Kerry
· Tubber, Co. Offaly
· Millstreet, Co. Cork
· Ballyhegan Davitts GAC, Armagh
· St Anne’s Tallaght, Dublin
· Golden/Kilfeacle, Tipperary
· Dunmore Machales, Dunmore, Co. Galway
JUNIOR MEN’S
· Fenagh, Co. Carlow
· Cromane, Kerry
· Dubai Celts, United Arab Emirates
· St Breckans, Co. Clare
· Mungret St. Paul’s GAA, Monateen, Limerick
· Renard GAA, Kerry
SENIOR LADIES
· Ballyboden St. Enda’s, Ballyboden, Dublin
· Mullahoran GAA, Kilcogy, Co. Cavan
· Thomas Davis Ladies, Dublin
· Burrishoole Ladies, Mayo
· Templeport St. Aidan’s, Bawnboy, Cavan
· St. Joseph’s ladies GFC, Leitrim
· Newbridge Sarsfields Ladies, Co. Kildare
· Louisburgh Ladies GAA, Louisburgh, Co. Mayo
INTERMEDIATE LADIES
· Corca Dhuibhne Ladies, West Kerry
· Blessington Ladies, Blessington, Co. Wicklow
· Austin Stacks, Tralee, Co. Kerry
· Dunedin Connolly’s, Edinburgh, Scotland
· Belturbet Rory O’Moore’s, Belturbet, Co. Mayo
· Ballymore Ladies, Co. Longford
JUNIOR LADIES
· John Mitchell’s, Tralee, Kerry
· Glen Rovers GAA, Watford, UK
· Dingle Ladies, Dingle, Co. Kerry
· Round Towers GAA, London, UK
· Ballyboden B Ladies, Dublin
· Clonaslee St. Manmans, Clonaslee, Co. Laois
· Kingdom Gaels, Finchley, London, UK
· Tír Chonaill Gaels, Greenford, London, UK
