![Athenry camogie players make history with a second successive All Ireland title at the annual Féile na nGael. [Photo: Patrick Browne]](http://www.advertiser.ie/images/2024/06/142134.jpg "Athenry camogie players make history with a second successive All Ireland title at the annual Féile na nGael. [Photo: Patrick Browne]")
Bonfires were blazing in Oranmore and Maree at the weekend when the victorious U15 hurlers returned with the John West Féile trophy.
Oranmore Maree, one of two Galway winners at last weekend’s annual John West Féile na nGael camogie and hurling finals, prevailed over Midleton by 1-7 to 1-5 to win the Christy Ring Cup.
The girls from Athenry made history when winning the rounders final for a second successive year; their win over Glynnbarnstown making it back-to-back All-Ireland titles for the first time.
Some 200 clubs took part in the festival across 22 venues, celebrating hurling, football, camogie, rounders and handball for children aged under 15.
Aussies keen to make their mark at feile finals in Connacht
Meanwhile, a team representing Australasia has travelled 5,000km from Perth to Connacht to compete in the John West Féile Peile na nÓg on Saturday.
The visitors will compete alongside 28 teams at the Connacht GAA Centre of Excellence at Bekan, Co Mayo, for the division one and division five finals.
The Perth-based side, which is managed by Brian Briscoe, originally from Dublin, says his team would certainly recall next weekend in Mayo with fondness for years to come.
“I still fondly recall my own Féile in 1990. I am so excited about our boys making similar, life-long memories,” he says.
The Australasia side comprises mainly Western Australia players, and a complement from Victoria and South Australia.
Now one of the biggest underage sporting events in Europe, the Féile marks the 30th anniversary of the ladies’ football element of John West Féile Peile na nÓg.
This weekend’s event boasts some 170 teams and 3,400 players competing at 21 venues across Ireland for teams outside division One and division five on the same day. It follows last weekend’s action when saw 4,000 camogie players and hurlers in their respective finals.
This is the ninth year of John West’s sponsorship of Féile, and for a second year John West partners with SuperValu to promote John West Féile in stores across the country.
Uachtarán CLG, Jarlath Burns, says John West Féile is an integral part of the GAA calendar.
“It nurtures an enthusiasm for our games, where friendships and memories are made,” he said. “Generations have experienced the joy of being a part of Féile na nGael and Féile Peile na nÓg, and I look forward to seeing this tradition continue this year.
