Féile 2011

The hype has now come to an end. Months of planning and preparing for the competing teams , host clubs , National and County Féile Committees and many , many more volunteers who have given countless hours to making sure Féile Corcaigh 2011 was a festival of football for both our young boys and girls from around Ireland and our overseas visitors.

As the sun made a welcome visit to Cork in time for Féile ,the first ball in Féile 2011 was thrown in by Munster Development Officer , Mary Beades as she took charge of the Banteer v New York , Division 4 match in Banteer. I travelled to Banteer and the grounds were decked out with club flags and buntings announcing the pride the club had in their participating boys and girls sides and a very warm welcome followed to make the New York Ladies feel like one of their own. New York went on to record the competitions first victory.

All hosting clubs played their visitors on last Thursday with many of the visitors gaining the upper hand and recording good victories. Together both clubs then made the various journeys to the City for the parade through Cork.

Over 4,500 Boys and Girls Féile teams gathered in the Mardyke , where welcoming speeches from both associations greeted the teams and their mentors. Then at 7-30pm sharp the bands began to be heard announcing the arrival of the parade.

Singing , chanting , laughter and excited teams parading club colours , mascots and colourful banners were seen by the people of cork and the many thousands of visitors that lined the streets. All went smoothly and it was back to the hosting clubs to prepare for the busy days football ahead.

16 venues hosted 64 teams in four divisions on Friday. Competitions began at 10 am , and again the sun was shining over Cork adding to the occasion. Many skilled players fought hard to help their team qualify for the semi finals , some were successful but for others by 2pm Féile was over . Midway through each qualifying round one club player took part in the Féile skills competition. I just stood back and admired these young ladies demonstrate their speed , agility and accuracy , but like everything there could only be one venue winner. Hosting clubs were marvellous , feeding teams and providing refreshments for all .

A short break for those who qualified for the semi finals and skills semi finals before heading closer to the city venues of CIT, for Division 1 ; Caherlag ,for Division2; Bishopstown, for Division3 ; and Ballincollig for Division 4. By 8 pm we had our Féile 2011 finalists in all divisions with our four skills finalists confirmed.

Rochestown Park was our next stop for the Féile mass and dinner, and I can tell you the meal was most welcome after the long day. 1am I was home and in bed awaiting the following days finals.

Saturday , Páirc Uí Rinn at 10-15am and the Féile Finals began. Peter O Leary, Beara , took charge of the Division 4 final which consisted of Bandon v Dungarvan from Waterford. The Deise girls displayed the stronger panel converting many fine scores but the ladies from Bandon fought for their club till the final whistle and maybe a little bit of inexperience cost them on the day. Dungarvan 3-5 Bandon 0-2.

The Division 3 final was an all Ulster affair , Clan Éireann , Armagh faced Lurgan from Cavan. The Cavan girls showed an exhibition of defence foiling what had been a strong scoring side from Armagh , and when match referee Gene Buckley from Grenagh blew the full time whistle the Cavan girls celebrated a deserved win. Lurgan 3-6 Clann Éireann 1-2.

A short trip followed across the city as we all headed for Páirc Uí Chaoimh. The Crowds in Páirc Uí Rinn had yet to follow and it was a quieter venue that welcomed us. Just in time for the Division 2 final , Páirc Uí Chaoimh was beginning to fill. Cork representatives Boherbue possibly entered favourites to capture this Division 2 final refereed by Kanturk’s Derek Carroll, but playing in front of their home crowd on the county grounds of Páirc Uí Chaoimh , the occasion got to the girls, and they found it hard to settle into their usual rhythm of football. Their Opponents from Offaly, Ferbane , , are a small club, but they possessed a fighting spirit and hunger , and a desire to take home an All Ireland title , this they did in fine style. Ferbane 2-1 Boherbue 0-3

The Féile Skills finals were next on the day’s events. Cork had two qualifiers , with Aghada’s Amanda Bennett , the Division1 winner and Megan Connolly from Nemo Rangers winning Division 3 competing against , Rebecca Hughes , Emyvale , Co Monaghan the Division 2 winner and Aimee McErlean , Glin , Derry the Division 4 winner. Stewarded by Ladies Football officials both the Girls and boys skills finals commenced. For the girls , Megan Connolly , Nemo Rangers was crowned All Ireland Champion 2011.

Kinsale’s Chris Cronin , took charge of the main event of the day , the Division 1 final between last years winners Claregalway , Co Galway , and St Vals of Cork. To win a top grade All Ireland , every chance presented must be capitalised on , for the Tribal girls , their experience from the previous year yielded these such scores , but St Vals spurned several chances to keep them in touch. Defensively , Claregalway have probably the best club goalkeeper in the country, confident , athletic and very strong under the ball, aided by a strong six backs , and Midfield the St Vals attack were hounded into shooting off target. Not to say the St Vals defence did not display a strong rear guard they did , but Claregalway posed and equally strong attack and it was the power of three shots in particular the raised the games goal flags. Claregalway travelled in large numbers as the final whistle sounded closing the curtain on Féile 2011 the Galway girls celebrated their retention of the All Ireland Féile title. Claregalway 3-3 St Vals 0-3.

It was a long three days , but what wonderful memories – highlights – there are too many to mention , but I think the utmost memory must be the enjoyment everyone experience in what was truly a festival of football.

I wish to thank the venue coordinators, the match officials , Referees , Umpires , skills coordinators, lines people and 4th Officials, every host club and their volunteers. Our County Senior Footballers for attending venues and our finals. Elaine Hayes for compiling the scores. Brian Enright for his leadership before and during Féile but one person in particular, Jim Ryng , Bishopstown – he is the main person who this successful tournament is a credit to , wherever I went , Jim was there before me overseeing every event , making sure everything ran in accordance with Féile, on schedule. Míle Buiochas Jim.

The Flag has now left Cork to head for Laois / Kildare who will host Féile 2012 .

Féile Results

Thursday June 30th

Division 1 : Mallow 1-1 Kilmacud Crokes 6-8, Liscarroll 0-1 Claregalway 9-5 , Fermoy 5-3 Westport 1-2 ; Aghada 0-3 The Banner 2-5 .Eire Óg 1-7 Portlaoise, 1-4 . St Vals 2-5 Monaleen 0-1 , Douglas 1-9 Castleisland. 2-1 Rosscarbery 1-0 Sarsfileds 4-4 .

Division 2 : Boherbue 2.5 v Seneschalstown 2.1 ;Mourneabbey 0-5 St Martins,4-1;Inch Rovers 0-1 Errigal Ciaran ,11-7 ;Erins Own 0-3 St Judes 2-6 ;St Michaels 3-12 Naomh Connaill 1-1 ;Carrigaline 1-4 Cahir 3-6 .Kinsale 1-1 Emyvale 5-9 ;Beara 5-5 Ferbane 2-1 .

Division 3 : Kilshannig 1-0 Thomastown 2-6; Kanturk0-3 Clann Éireann 5-10; Glanmire 5-9 St Nathys ; Middleton 4-4 Ballintinglass 2-2;Coursey Rovers 1-0 Lurgan 2-7 , . Valley Rovers 2-2 Moate 2-2 , Passage West 2-8 St Pauls 1-1 ,Nemo Rangers 9-8 Mount Leinster Rangers 0-1.

Division 4 : Banteer 0-1 v New York 5-9 . Ballincollig 2-0 v St Ciarain 5-9; Mayfield 1-2 Glin 3-4 , Ballyphehane 2-4 Newmarket 1-3 ;Youghal 2-0 Sean O Heslins, 2-11; Watergrasshill 1-1 Dungarvan ,5-4; . Bandon 2-3 London 0-0.

July 1st / July 2nd

Division 1: Mallow 0-2 Claregalway 10-8; Kilmacud Crokes 5-5 Liscarroll 0-1; Kilmacud Crokes 2-2 Claregalway 1-5; Mallow 4-8 Liscarroll 1-3; Aghada 2-8 Westport 2-6; The Banner 2-3 Fermoy 1-4; Westport 0-2 The Banner 4-5; Aghada 0-2 Fermoy 1-5; Rosscarbery 3-5 Castleisland 4-7; Sarsfileds ( Kildare) 1-1 Douglas 0-7; Rosscarbery 1-3 Douglas 2-3; Castleisland 3-6 Sarsfields 0-6; St Vals 3-5 Portlaoise 2-1; Monaleen 2-3 Eire Óg 1-11 ; St Vals 6-4 Eire Óg 1-5; Portaloise 3-3 Monaleen 1-1.

Semi finals: Claregalway 4-3 The Banner 0-2; St Vals 3-4 Douglas 1-4.

Final: Claregalway 3-3 St Vals 0-3.

Division 2 : Seneschalstown 4-10 Mourneabbey 1-3; Boherbue 2-7 St Martin’s 1-2 ; Boherbue 4-6 Mourneabbey 1-3; Seneschalstown 4-6 St Martin’s 0-2; Errigal Ciaran 2-7 Erins Own 0-3; St Judes 2-9 Inch Rovers 1-1; Erins Own 4-1 Inch Rovers 1-0; Errigal Ciaran 1-4 St Judes 2-1; Ferbane 6-4 Kinsale 1-0; Emyvale 3-6 Beara 2-2; Beara 1-4 Kinsale 2-0 ; Ferbane 4-4 Emyvale 2-1; Carrigaline 3-2 Naomh Conaill 1-2; Cahir 4-5 St Michaels 1-5; Carrigaline 3-2 St Michaels 3-1 ; Cahir 4-2 Naomh Conaill 2-2;

Semi finals: Ferbane 3-2 Cahir 1-7; Boherbue 5-10 Errigal Ciaran 1-0.

Final: Boherbue 0-3 Ferbane 2-1.

Division 3 : Clann Eireann 5-13 Kilshannig 1-0; Thomastown 1-12 Kanturk 1-0; Kanturk 2-5 Kilshannig 1-1; Clann Eireann 2-7 Thomastown 2-7; Middleton 1-6 St Nathys 0-2; Glanmire 5-6 Baltinglass 1-6; Middleton 1-2 Glanmire 0-5; Baltinglass 3-5 St Nathys 3-1; Lurgan 2-6 Valley Rovers 1-1; Moate 1-1 Coursey Rovers 0-3; Valley Rovers 1-5 Coursey Rovers 2-2 Lurgan 3-3 Moate 0-2; Nemo Rangers 6-3 St Pauls 0-2; Mount Leister Rangers 3-2 Passage West 0-2; Nemo Rangers 7-7 Passage West 1-3; St Pauls 4-4 Mount Leinster Rangers 0-4.

Semi finals : Lurgan 1-8 Nemo Rangers 1 -3; Clann Eireann 4-9 Glanmire 3-3.

Final: Lurgan 3-6 Clann Eireann 1-2.

Division 4: New York 7-7 Ballincollig 0-0; St Ciarans 5-4 Banteer 0-1; Ballincollig 3-0 Banteer 1-6; New York 2-4 St Ciarans 2-3; Dungarvan 1-3 Mayfield 0-4; Glen 8-7 Watergrasshill 1-1; Mayfield 2-7 Watergrasshill 0-1; Dungarvan 3-3 Glen 1-2; Bandon 6-3 Glyde Rangers 1-2; Gabriel Rangers 5-4 London 0-3; Bandon 4-3 Gabriel Rangers 0-1; Glyde Rangers 3-4 London 3-4; Newmarket 4-3 Youghal 2-1; Sean O Heslins 3-5 Ballyphehane 2-2; Ballyphehane 2-6 Youghal 1-0; Newmarket 6-2 Sean O Heslins 4-2.

Semi finals : Bandon 4-5 Sean O Heslins 3-2; New York 2-4 Dungarvan 4-4.

Final: Dungarvan 3-5 Bandon 0-2.