Grainne Mhaols narrowly lost the Junior ladies final at the Lidl Comórtas Peile Páidí Ó Sé which took place in West Kerry last weekend. Thirty-five years since the Comórtas Peile Páidí Ó Sé began, there is no stopping this juggernaut of a GAA club festival.
There were over 600 players at the festival, socialising and filling up hotels and BnB’s across the Dingle Peninsula last weekend, giving a huge economic boost to the area during the off-season.
Grainne Mhaols played in the four-team knockout competition, coming up against Dublin's Skerries Harps who had former Dublin All-Ireland winner Lyndsey Davey in their ranks. They led 1-3 to 0-4 at half time and thanks to strong play from captain Amy Ni Ghionmain, and the outstanding Mairead Coyne, they won out by 2-7 to 0-7.
Their opponent in the final was Round Towers of London, who earlier beat Dingle Ladies convincingly. The Galway girls hit the crossbar five times during the match. They eventually lost 4-3 to 2-7.
In the senior men’s cup, defending champions Killannin lost their straight knockout semi-final to the eventual winners Clane of Kildare, on a scoreline of 5-14 to 1-4. Renvyle competed in the junior men's competition losing their straight knockout semi-final to Cahir of Tipperary by 8-9 to 2-2.
As usual, some well-known people were part of the line-up, including former Down 1994 All-Ireland winning captain DJ Kane who managed Cooley Kickhams in the senior men’s cup. The aforementioned multi All-Ireland winning All-Star Lyndsey Davey lined out for Skerries Harps. While Johnny B O’Brien of The Two Johnnies was player/manager of his native Cahir GAA of Tipperary; they lost the junior men’s final by one point to Galbally of Limerick.
Comórtas Chairman, Pádraig Óg Ó Sé said: “We are thrilled to have Galway representation again this year. Both teams conducted themselves very well all weekend. The tournament is a big organisational and financial undertaking and special mention has to go to Lidl, our title sponsor. They have really changed the ladies game in Ireland and have been with us for six years now, which shows their commitment to our national sport. We also have strong partners in Doctor.ie, Medel Healthcare, EJ Menswear, Udaras Na Gaeltachta and Kerry County Council Tourism Unit who see the value of being part of one of the most well-known GAA club tournaments in the country.”
Pádraig Óg Ó Sé continued: “Our volunteers and locals clubs who give us their pitches are vital and the goodwill is unreal from everyone involved to make this happen annually.”
