The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
WOULDN’T PÁIDÍ BE PROUD?
COMÓRTAS PEILE:
COMÓRTAS Peile Páidí Ó Sé is ‘tríocha bliain ag fás’ or ‘thirty years a-growing’.
Indeed, it has grown to become an event of local, national, and international significance.
Last weekend saw west Kerry host the sporting festival bearing the name of one of its most famous sons – the late Páidí Ó Sé – for the 30th time. It’s over six years since the eight-time All-Ireland winner and legendary An Ghaeltacht club man passed away – but if the popularity of his competition is anything to go by, memories of the great Kerry defender haven’t faded one jot.
This year it welcomed 42 teams from 16 different counties, and four different countries: Ireland, England, Scotland, and the United Arab Emirates. While the weather often failed to show its best side to the 1,000-or-so people who attended, the sun came out just in time for a drone to capture a scene of scenes; ladies finalists Mullahoran and Thomas Davis joined An Ghaeltacht club folk to form a human ‘30’ at Páirc Caide Ghallarais.
In amongst the 42 clubs were seven men’s teams from Kerry – Dingle, Milltown/Castlemaine, An Ghaeltacht, Lios Póil, Annascaul, Cromane, and Renard – and another four took part in the ladies competitions: Austin Stacks, Corca Dhuibhne, John Mitchels, and Dingle.
And this Kerry contingent did more than enough to ensure much of the silverware wouldn’t leave the county.
Dingle emerged as winners of the senior men’s competition, with a win over Laois’s Portarlington sealing that victory, while Annascaul made it a double for west Kerry courtesy of a 1-10 to 1-6 win over Galway’s Dunmore MacHales in the intermediate final.
But west Kerry’s teams weren’t alone in keeping our county to the forefront; by winning the Junior Men’s Cup, Cromane made it a clean sweep for Kerry in the men’s competitions.
Football aside, there was something for everyone over the Lidl-sponsored weekend, with plenty music and entertainment on offer. But the height of the festivities, arguably, was a Saturday night players’ banquet at a marquee set up at Páidí Ó Sé’s pub in Ceann Trá.
In recent years, it’s often been said that football, even at club level, has become too serious and has moved too far from what should always be at its heart: enjoyment. Events such as those that took place at Páidí Ó Sé’s pub make sure that the weekend is rich in fun, not just good-quality football.
No doubt this side of things has contributed to the fact that more than 15,000 club players have travelled to west Kerry over the last 30 years.
“We work hard as a committee for months in advance to ensure a smooth Comórtas,” said the event’s Chairman, Pádraig Óg Ó Sé, Páidí’s son. “We are indebted to our sponsors, Lidl Ireland, EJMenswear.com, Lee Strand Milk and, of course Kerry County Council Tourism Unit, who allow us to run the tournament.
“We feel responsible for the well-being and, of course, enjoyment of upwards of 1,000 people from all parts of the world who descend on the Peninsula.
“It’s a huge promotion for potential future visits by these players and supporters later in life, with families or whatever. That’s where it really pays off for businesses locally; it’s all building brand equity for the entire peninsula.
“My Dad always said to leave them wanting more – and I think we have the perfect mix of good football, some craic and socialising”.
It all bodes well for Comórtas Peile na Gaeltachta, the All-Ireland championships for Gaeltacht clubs, which will return to Corca Dhuibhne this June for the first time in 29 years.