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37th Feile Na Gael a big hit
 Towns
in Carlow and Kilkenny were hit by a clash of the ash this past weekend
as hurling and camogie teams from Britain and Ireland took part in the
annual Feile Na Gael.
Over 4,000 hurling, camogie and handball players took to the field in
the three day competition. Feile na Gael 2007, which in the past produced
some of the GAA’s most accomplished hurlers such as James ‘Cha’
Fitzpatrick and Henry Shefflin, lived up to every expectation.
In the boys event Castleknock clinched the Christy Ring Trophy when they
overcame Ahane 4-8 to 0-3 in Nowlan Park. The victory signals a remarkable
rise for Castleknock who clinched the Dublin U-13 Division 1 Hurling Championship
and U-12A title the previous year. Other winners include St. John’s
(Round 2), Bennettsbridge (Round 3), Keady (Round 4), Conahy Shamrocks
(Round 5) and Windgap (Round 6). The Camogie competition saw Sarsfield
of Galway beat Milford. Other winners include Ballycran (Round 2), Rower
Instigioge (Round 3) and Rothaoth (Round 4).
The British representative sides in Feile Na Gael included London, Warwickshire
and Erin Go Bragh Camogie Club. London and Warwickshire played in Division
6 of the hurling competition whilst Erin Go Bragh took part in Camogie
Division 4. This year saw London take part in their 14th successive competition
a feat which has seen over 200 hurlers enjoy the unique experience the
Feile na Gael brings.
The team from the capital who included players from four local clubs were
looking to re-capture the fine form which saw them clinch the Division
5 title in 2003. Despite a bright start from London when they overcame
their host club in the opening game, the green-and-whites were defeated
in their two remaining games.
A Warwickshire side opened with a heavy defeat to Windgap and Slieve Ru,
but peaked in their remaining game when key players Dougie Sweeney, Phil
Boxwell, Kieran Phelan and Liam O’Hanlon inspired the Midlanders
to victory against Mornothoumitton 0-3 to 2-3.
Erin Go Bragh Camogie Club were the surprise entry for Britain in Feile
Na Gael 2007 when they disposed of a Tullogher team 0-0 to 1-0 and followed
this up with victory against Kilmacow 0-1 to 0-2. However, tiredness set
in for the girls from Birmingham and they bowed out of the competition
to Mayo 4-0 to 0-0 in their final game.
Star players for the Braghs included Emily Kenny, Lauren Kavanagh, Sophie
Richmond-Epps and captain Kathy Lamb.
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