The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
Countdown to 30th Anniversary Páidi Football Festival
GAA clubs from the United Arab Emirates, Scotland, England and 17 counties across the four provinces of Ireland will take part in the 30th anniversary of the Lidl Comórtas Peile Páidi Ó Sé 2019, with 44 adult men’s and ladies club teams descending on the rugged Dingle Peninsula from 15th to 17th February.
There is some stiff opposition in the Dermot Earley senior men’s cup with Westmeath’s Rosemount back to defend their 2018 title against local sides Dingle, Milltown Castlemaine and An Ghaeltacht while newcomers including Laois’s Portarlington and Éire Óg Inis of Clare will be attempting to leave their mark on this historic year. Also competing at senior level is Cork’s Knocknagree, who won the Comórtas intermediate final two years ago, setting them on their winning ways to All-Ireland Intermediate Club final victory in Croke Park later that season.
There are 11 Kerry teams competing in total. Apart from the senior Kerry clubs, the intermediate men’s clubs include Annascaul, Lispole, Cromane and Renard. The intermediate ladies’ competition sees Austin Stacks and Corca Dhuibhne togging out while John Mitchel’s and Dingle Ladies line out in the Junior Ladies competition.
There are some big names in the eight team senior ladies’ competition which are all from outside Kerry including 2018 Comórtas champions Ballyboden St. Enda’s of Dublin along with Thomas Davis, Cavan’s Mullahoran and Templeport At Aidan’s, Kildare’s Newbridge Sarsfields, 2018 Leitrim senior champions St. Joseph’s as well as Mayo’s Burrishoole ad Louisburgh.
There is a large travelling party from the UK Ladies GAA club scene with Dunedin Connolly’s Ladies, Edinburgh, Scotland in the intermediate ladies competition while Glen Rovers GAA, Watford, Round Towers GAA, Tír Chonaill Gaels and Kingdom Gaels of Finchley of the greater London area all line out in the junior ladies competition. The Comórtas also welcomes Dubai Celts who travel for the second time to the competition, lining out in the junior men’s cup.
Guímid gach rath ar Chomórtas Peile Pháidí Uí Shé