Féile Peile na nÓg 2009

PRESS RELEASE
21.05.09

Féile Peile na nÓg 2009 takes centre stage in Kildare

Féile Peile na nÓg 2009, which will be sponsored by Coca-Cola, returns to Kildare for the first time in 21 years on the first weekend of July and will be the largest underage sporting competition of its kind in Europe this year.

More than 30,000 boys and girls across the country and in overseas units have competed for a place in this year’s finals, which will involve six divisions for boys and four for girls.

Clubs from visiting counties will enjoy the hospitality of Kildare’s host clubs who will be represented by a combined total of 77 boys’ and girls teams.

Uachtarán Cumann Lúthchleas Gael Criostóir Ó Cuana, in the company of Uachtarán Cumann Peile na mBan Pat Quill, will officially launch the competition this evening.

The GAA President lauded the excellent organisational skills that have been evident in the planning of the event.

He said: “It has been impossible to ignore the real buzz that is detectable around the county of Kildare over the course of my visits to schools and clubs in recent days and I think everyone lucky enough to be involved with the Féile weekend can expect a competition to rival any.

“The attention to detail shown and the success of the organising committee in harnessing so much goodwill in recent weeks and months means Kildare can expect a Féile Peile na nÓg competition organised to the highest standards.

“This competition is about so much more than the games and the social interaction between the players and mentors with people from other clubs, counties and overseas units should ensure that this turns out to be a weekend to remember.

“I thank everyone involved, sponsors Coca-Cola and all parties who have supported this venture and I am confident that we will be treated to a competition that shows why this event is so firmly etched in the GAA’s calendar.”

Coca-Cola’s support of Féile competitions stretches back as far as 1971 and is one of the GAA’s longest running national sponsorships.

Erica Roseingrave, Public Affairs and Communications Manager for Coca-Cola HBC Ireland said: “We’re delighted to be sponsoring the 2009 Coca-Cola Féile Peile na nÓg finals in Co Kildare, and are very much looking forward to an exciting festival of Gaelic football later this summer.

“We’d like to wish the local and national organising committees, officials, clubs, participating teams and everyone associated with the finals the very best of luck over the coming weeks.”

Féile Peile na nÓg 2009 will begin with the traditional parade on Friday July 3 in Newbridge. It will feature participating teams, eight bands, including The Artane Boys Band, The Defence Forces Brass Band, The Air Corps Pipe Band and The Garda Band.

Coiste Féile Chill Dara is delighted to announce that President Mary McAleese will be in attendance to review the parade while renowned broadcaster Michael Ó Muircheartaigh will act as MC and present each team as they parade past the review stand.

Coiste Féile Chill Dara and all the Kildare clubs extend a warm hand of friendship and hospitality to all the visiting clubs, demonstrating the true meaning of Féile, and hopes that their Kildare experience is one of enjoyment, camaraderie in sport resulting in a weekend that turns out to be a truly memorable event in the sporting lives of all participating.