Féile na nGael 2015

The Youghal U14 Feile hurlers who performed gallantly in the recent Féile na nGael hurling tournament held in Ulster. Youghal were based in the Glens of Antrim and the panel of players and supporters who travelled did the club proud. Up the Youghal boys…. from everyone in Youghal GAA Club

Fé 14 hurlers travel to Antrim to play in 2015 Feile na nGael
Youghal U14 hurlers set off for the lovely Glens of Antrim on Thursday 18th June 2015 to compete in the prestigious Feile na nGael hurling tournament. Having stayed in Dundalk on Thursday night, the young hurlers finally arrived at their host club, Glenarrife, Co Antrim at 4pm Friday 19th. The hosts treated us to team and sandwiches and cake and also let us use their facilities at their club to loosen up the legs before 2 round robin hurling games that evening. Youghal started the campaign with a win against Cushendall (Antrim) but lost to a very strong team St Earnans (Westmeath) in game 2, indeed this team were to be the eventual winners of the tournament.

A huge Youghal support was both audible and visible and that gave the team great heart throughout the opening 2 games. The players were then collected by their host families and enjoyed a welcome rest. Game 3 was played Saturday morning and this was against the host team, Glenarriffe, with the winners getting 2nd place. Glenarriffe prevailed in a ding- dong game and only for a superb save from their keeper at the end, denied Youghal victory.

So 3rd place secured and this ensured a Shield semi-final game that Saturday afternoon against O’Donovan Rossa (Antrim). Youghal recaptured their form and some early scores set up a welcome victory. This meant the Youghal convoy would be on the move to Derry in the early morning. Spirits were good on Saturday night, Glenarrif and Youghal clubs dined together after attending Mass and exchanged gifts and glowing tributes to each other. The highlight was each Youghal player individually presenting a sliothar to each Glenarrif Oisins player, which created a bond between the players. Indeed news had just filtered through that Youghal senior hurlers had prevailed against Killeagh in the SHC (there was no reception where we were) and a rendition of “Up the Youghal Boys” was sung with gusto by all.

Sunday morning and the trip to the Ownabeg complex in Dungiven, Co Derry, was next, Youghal were first onto the field where they met Dunloy (Antrim) and produced their best display in terms of skill, determination, heart and temperament, a very close game went Youghal’s way, and so qualifying for the Shield Final. Unfortunately, Ballycastle from Antrim were just that bigger and more powerful than Youghal and ran out easy winners, but the Youghal lads were attacking to the very end, indeed if a chance was taken just after scoring their goal mid-way though the second half, then maybe….

The U14 panel and mentors are: Kelvin Yellop, Ian Fitzgerald Hehir, Cian O Sullivan, Brian O' Driscoll, Evan Villis, Ethan Cliffe, Joshua Varian, Aidan Kelly, Danny Dorrian, Jake O'Brien, Jake McCarthy, Alan Carter, Cúlann Geary, Aaron Creamor, Devon O’Donoghue, Niall Sheehan, Dean Coleman, Adam Dempsey, Shane Morgan, Cian Coleman Butler, Conor O Neill, Nathan Daly, Oreoluwa Amosu, Aaron Fitzgerald, Sele Ovianria, Oisin Hill, Michael Breathnach, Oran Finn. Mgr : Hugh Dorrian, Sels: Tommy O’ Connell, Billy O’Connell, Domhnaill O’Sullivan, John Morgan, Philip Monaghan,

​Special thanks to all who travelled and made this a very special weekend for all concerned, indeed a bond has been created by all who were there and many happy memories formed. Eochaill Abú