Team to travel 15,000km to Mayo for this weekend's Féile finals

A team representing Australasia will journey 15,000km from Perth to Connacht to join almost two hundred club sides, comprising nearly 4,000 players, competing in the John West Féile Peile na nÓg (Gaelic football and ladies’ football) Finals 2024 this Saturday, June 29.

The boys U15 side will compete alongside 28 teams, comprising over 500 Gaelic footballers, who will descend on the Connacht GAA Centre of Excellence at Bekan, County Mayo, for the Division One and Division Five finals.

Brian Briscoe, originally from Dublin, who manages the Australasia side, said 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 said.

What has grown to become one of the biggest underage sporting events in Europe will this year mark the 30th anniversary of the ladies’ football element of John West Féile Peile na nÓg.

Meanwhile, over 170 teams, involving 3,400 players, will take part in the John West Féile Peile na nÓg finals taking place at 21 venues across Ireland for teams outside Division One and Division Five on the same day.

Last weekend, 4,000 camogie players and hurlers took part in the John West Féile na nGael finals.

Club sides from the US, Europe and UK are also represented across the four codes.

The Australasia side comprises mainly Western Australian players and a complement from Victoria and South Australia.

The squad was visited by the Irish Ambassador to Australia, Tim Mawe, who wished them luck in the run-up to their departure.

John West Féile brings together thousands of young hurlers, camogie players and Gaelic footballers in a celebration of the GAA’s community ethos through underage competition.

Uachtarán CLG, Jarlath Burns, said 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.

“Our thanks to John West for their support in the promotion of this competition and to the national organising committee for their work on John West Féile 2024.” 

Ladies Gaelic Football Association President, Mícheál Naughton, highlighted John West Féile’s emphasis on fun, friendship, and participation.

“Players will make new friends and reconnect with old friends. John West Féile will once again provide young players with lifelong memories.”