Ladies football season in full swing

Season in Full swing.

Activitities are in full swing at every level after the short
and necessary break for all those doing exams at every level.
Ladies football at adult level and even at Inter-Co level enjoys
a very young age profile with players as young as 16 regulars
on co Teams.

The Suzuki National League was once again a huge success and a
massive boost to the sponsors. Titles were won by Cork Div 1,
the Co’s first ever Grade A title at National level, inevitable
after wining 8 All-Ireland underage titles in the past 5 years.
Armagh won Div 2 Tipperary Div 3 and Wicklow Div 4. Leinster relieved
Munster of the Inter provincial trophy in a close final The TG4
Championships are well under way and already there have been a
number of upsets. Former kingpins Monaghan came within a few seconds
of exiting this years championship after a last minute goal against
Tyrone saved them after they had been defeated by Donegal in the
first round. Down ran Donegal to 2 points.

In Leinster All-ireland runners up for the past 2 years Dublin
drew with Laois who subsequently lost to Meath. Dublin had a big
win over Longford as had Kildare. In Munster Cork the holders
got past Kerry, while other great National campaigners Waterford
with just 5 of last years starting Championship team, 5 retired
and 5 gone abroad for the summer, were much too strong for Clare.

Galway the All-Ireland, champions lost their first outing to Mayo
while Mayo just kept their 100% record with the narrowest of wins
over Roscommon. So its all still to play for. Sligo, Armagh, Tipperary
and Wexford look the strongest teams in their Province at Junior
level, so with TG4 on board and plenty TV coverage there is much
to look forward to.

Dublin the rising power at underage have already been crowned
under 14 champions for the 2nd year in a row. They defeated another
rising power Donegal in the final. The under 16 showdown between
Cork and Dublin is eagerly awaited. Dublin, Donegal Cork and Galway
will all have ambitions of annexing the Minor title.

Feile

The recent Feile competitions very well organised by Limerick,
provided very exciting fare and an insight into some of the rising
stars. The titles were won by Foxrock/Cabinteely Div 1. The Banner
Clare Div 2 and Charlestown Mayo Div 3.

Tyrone supplied the winner of the skills, competition through
Lisa Marie Skeffington. Off the field grass roots power decreed
that the sin bin rule, would not be practical for the younger
age groups. As for Peil we were quite pleased with the reaction
to the first issue. A bit disappointed there were so few entries
for the competitions, with such attractive O’Neills prizes of
footballs and team jerseys. We got no response to our circular
we sent out to 32 counties, with the first issue looking for info
such as team management’s for 2005.

There has been better news on the commercial front, with a private
Company taking 8 pages of ads and copy for this issue, this will
help pay the bills. Central Council has also decreed that each
Co be given 100 copies per issue @ €1 a copy, giving them a chance
of 100% return on their modest investment. This help on 2 fronts.
1 It helps to get the magazines to all the Counties
2 it helps sales, the higher the sales the greater chance of advertising.

We welcome items for the October issue, and with so many exciting
games on the horizon there will be no scarcity of material. Enjoy
the Summer enjoy the games, enjoy Peil.

Fr Liam Kelleher and Alan Gunn