Huge crowds attended the final day of the 2014 Comórtas Peile na Gaeltachta in Moycullen GAA Club to celebrate all things Irish at the annual festival.
On this occasion it was Donegal side Cill Cartha (Kilcar )that prevailed over local Connemara outfit Micheal Breathnach’s.
Kilcar, captained by Mark McHugh and with brother Ryan selected as man of the match, finished 3-14 to 0-13 in this year's senior event.
Former Sligo manager Kevin Walsh’s Micheal Breathnach had advanced to the final when overcoming An Gaeltacht Ciarraí by 1-9 to 0-8, while Kilcar progressed to the final with a win over hosts Moycullen by 2-15 to 1-7.
In the junior final, Oileáin Arainn took home the Gael Linn Cup for
the second time, overcoming first-time finalists, London's Moin Dearg by 0-15 to 0-9.
There was some luck for the host club, which won the 1971 Comórtas Peile na Gaeltachta in Baile Bhuirne, with the ladies winning the junior cup, and club chairman Liam Hynes was delighted with this year's event which attracted some 5,000 to the games and festival programme.
“There was huge anticipation and excitement for the Comórtas because it is massively important to the culture, language, and heritage of Gaelic Games in the Gaeltacht regions. We’re honoured to have hosted it in Moycullen,” he said.
Supported by sponsors TG4, Raidio na Gaeltachta, Udarás na Gaeltachta, the GAA, SuperValu and local businesses, this year's Comortas was based at the Moycullen GAA Club at Baile Dóite which boasts extensive facilities that contributed to the tournament's success.
Speaking on behalf of TG4, main sponsors of the 2014 Comórtas Peile na Gaeltachta, Padhraic O Ciardha said the venue in Maigh Cuillin was a fantastic setting for the games and the club had put in huge efforts with the addition of a large pitch side screen and other excellent visual features.
The local Maigh Cuillin community with a population of approximately 3,500 people were heavily involved with Cumann Peile Mhaigh Cuillin, showing exceptional community spirit with extensive voluntary work to make the 2014 Comórtas Peile na Gaeltachta one of the most successful festivals in its history.
“ This was a hugely successful Comórtas which saw the games going live across the world with the added excitement of a London-based team Moin Dearg in this year’s junior final," he said.
History was made at this year's event with the first London club reachingthe junior final after overcoming Naomh Columba, Co Dhún na nGall, 3-7 to 1-10.
There was a local win for Bearna in the intermediate ladies' final, overcoming Naomh Anna by 4-10 to 2-7, while Tearmann Dún na nGall were the senior ladies winners by 4-15 to 2-10 over Connemara's An Fhairche.
