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 The 38th Féile na nGael began in impressive fashion on Friday, with the hosting of the Parade for 200 teams - which ran from O'Moore Park through Portlaoise town on Friday night, under the organisation of Jack Nolan.
GAA President Nickey Brennan, Uachtarán Cumann Camogaíochta na nGael Liz Howard, Handball President Tony Hannon; local T.D.'s Sean Fleming and Olywn Enright, and Portlaoise Mayor Rotimi Adebari; were among the dignatories that watched each of the teams pass the platform in Market Square, with the captain of each side receiving a pennent from the GAA President.
Large crowds gathered from early evening to watch the parade which was led by the Garda Mounted Unit, the Féile torch and the Artane Band.
Providing commentary of the parade was RTÉ GAA Commentator Michael Ó Muircheartaigh, while the event was videoed by John and Brendan Brophy and photographed by Alf Harvey and Kevin Byrne, along with the many parents, families and friends who all brought along their cameras!
Stewarding was provided by the Laois and Offaly County Boards, along with the Civil Defence, and the Gardaí - who included Kilkenny hurler Eddie Brennan, who is stationed in Portlaoise.
Earlier in the day the teams arrived with their host clubs to play their first matches in the premier Underage sporting competition to be seen on these shores.
And it was a tough opening day for Laois sides in the competition.
There were no Laois teams taking part in the Division 1 Hurling competition, although there were games hosted in Shanahoe and Mountmellick, with Cork's Na Piarsaigh accounting for Sixmilebridge of Clare by 0-14 to 1-4, while Waterford's Dungarvan had a comfortable 5-10 to 0-8 win over Kiltha Óg of Cork.
In Division 2 Rathdowney/Errill succumbed to visitors Slaughtneil of Derry by 4-7 to 1-5, in section B Camross drew with Muinebheag of Carlow by 2-5 to 1-8 while last years beaten finalists St. John's of Antrim were 2-14 to 2-3 winners over Borris-in-Ossory/Kilcotton. In section C Kerry side Causeway were 5-3 to 2-3 winners over Clough/Ballacolla, but Portlaoise 1 romped to a 12-7 to 1-1 victory over reigning Division 2 champions Castletown/Geoghegan of Westmeath.
In Division 3 Abbeyleix had a 2-3 to 0-8 win over Toreen of Mayo, Harps Gaels accounted for Kerry's Lixnaw by 4-8 to 3-3, while the newly formed Naomh Eamann club from the Castletown and Slieve Bloom areas, recorded a 5-5 to 1-6 win over Athleague/Tremane of Roscommon. Colt were 3-9 to 2-3 winners over Westmeath's Clonkill, while to complete the Laois winning streak in Division 3, Tinnahinch ran out 4-9 to 2-6 winners over St. Mullins of Carlow.
There were just two Laois teams in Division 4, where in Division 4D, Ballyfin Gaels were 5-6 to 3-1 winners over Bredagh of Down, while Dungannon of Tyrone had a 5-9 to 0-1 win over Ballypickas.
In Group A of Division 5 Portlaoise 2 had a 5-5 to 1-1 win over Knockbridge of Louth, while Monaghan side Clontibret had a 1-4 to 0-3 win over Timahoe. In Section B Mountrath had a convincing 7-14 to 0-1 over Mullahoran/St. Joseph's, Cavan while Clonad/Park/Ratheniska were 6-5 to 0-3 over Knock Grattans of Fermanagh.
And for the fledgling upcoming sides in Division 6, Coolera/Strandhill of Sligo were 6-11 to 0-4 winners over St. Joseph's of Laois, while St. Paul's accounted for Ballinamore of Leitrim by 1-3 to 0-1.
The remaining group games take place today, while the ten finals commence at 10am on Sunday, and are divided between O'Moore Park and Pairc Uí Fhaolain - the Portlaoise GAA Club grounds.
ALL THE LATEST FÉILE RESULTS CAN BE FOUND HERE
We'll have audio interviews with GAA President Nickey Brennan, Camogie President Liz Howard and Kilkenny hurler Eddie Brennan giving their thoughts about the hosting of the Féile in Laois/Offaly this weekend, along with an audio report on the Féile parade to follow. |
