Féile Peile na nÓg

Féile Peile na nÓg is a national festival of Gaelic Football for U-15 age group (changed from U-14 in 2021). The competition was proposed by and first held in Cavan in 1982, and was the brainchild of Granard native Fintan Tierney, based in Butlersbridge who was Chair of the Cavan Schools Board at the time. Féile An Peile na nÓg An Cabháin in 1982 saw a total of 40 teams participate (20 Cavan, 20 Other). Shannon Gaels (Rathcline) were nominated to represent Longford at the 1982 National Féile as there was no County Féile competition in Longford at that time. In addition, Dromard were also invited by the organising committee to participate. The first Féile Peile na nÓg competition held in Longford took place in 1983.

Each year thousands of boys and girls from each of the 32 counties, along with teams from the UK, Europe and USA, participate in Féile Peile na nÓg. Individual counties host local competition and the winner is nominated to represent their county at the National Féile. Sometimes the runners-up in certain counties may also be invited to compete in the National Feile competition. In 2021 the pandemic caused a change to the format whereby 36 teams (8 Football, 8 Hurling, 8 LGFA, 8 Camogie) were invited to compete in Féile in Croke Park to celebrate 50 years of Féile. Longford did not have any representative in Football at National Féile that year. Féile Peile na nÓg places great emphasis and importance on proper participation, presentation, punctuality and sportsmanship. It is recognised by the GAA as a major festival of great importance for the promotion of Gaelic Football. The competition has been sponsored over the years by Coca Cola (1982-2012), Bus Eireann (2013 & 2015), Irish Pride (2015) and John West (since 2016). The Hurling equivalent of Féile Peile na nÓg is Féile na nGael.

Longford winners at National Féile Peile na nÓg:

1992 Division 4 Cup: Ballymahon
Beat St. Brendans (London) by 5-5 to 1-3 in Meath.

2010 Division 4 Cup: Northern Gaels
Beat De La Salle (Waterford) by 2-4 to 0-0 in Derry.

2012 Division 4 Cup: Killoe Óg
Beat Newtownblues (Louth) 2-3 to 0-5 in Laois.

2018 Division 9 Cup: Granard/Ballymore
Beat Curry (Sligo) by 0-4 to 0-3 in Down.

2019 Division 4 Cup: Clonguish Óg
Beat St. Marys (Sligo) by 1-7 to 0-7 in Mayo.

2022 Division 5 Shield: Clonguish Óg
Beat Two Mile House (Kildare) by 3-6 to 1-3 in Dublin.

Other finalists at National Féile Peile na nÓg included St. Vincents (Drumlish-Ballinamuck) who reached the Division 4 Cup final in Wicklow in 2006 but lost out to Cooley Kickhams by 1-7 to 0-8, while Carrick Sarsfields reached the Division 10 Cup final in 2019 and Division 7 Shield final in 2014. In Ladies Gaelic Football, Clonguish won the 2019 National Féile Division 4 Cup beating Knockainey (Limerick) in the final, while St. Brigids Gaels (Ardagh) reached the 2018 National Féile Division 4 Cup final and Killoe Ladies reached the 2022 National Féile Division 4 Cup final.

– Longford Féile na nÓg competition began in 1983.
– No competition in 2020 due to Covid-19 pandemic.

Note: In 1982 Shannon Gaels were nominated as Longford’s representative at the inaugural National Féíle in Cavan. The organising committee also invited Dromard to participate.

– St. Michaels was later renamed Longford Slashers. 
– Lough Forbes Gaels was later renamed Clonguish Óg. 
– Various clubs added ‘Óg’ suffix to their name in 2000’s.
– St. Dominics is the underage section of the Kenagh club.
– St. Francis is the underage section of the Dromard club.
– Shannon Gaels is the underage section of the Rathcline club.
– St. Vincents is underage section of Fr. Manning Gaels club.
– St. James was a team for Ardagh & Moydow in 1990’s & 2000’s.
– Northern Gaels is the underage team for both Abbeylara and Mullinalaghta clubs.
– Shamrock Gaels is a combination of Ballymahon Forgney Gaels & Southern Gaels.
– Ballymahon Leo Caseys was Ballymahon underage prior to Ballymahon Forgney Gaels.

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