Páidí Ó Sé tournament has 2020 vision

GAA clubs from Orange County in California, Edinburgh, London and 14 counties across the four provinces of Ireland will take part in the 31st edition of the Lidl Comórtas Peile Páidi Ó Sé 2020, with 36 adult men’s and ladies club teams descending on the rugged Dingle Peninsula from February21toFebruary23.

The football festival, which is supported by Lidl Ireland, McKeever Sports, EJ Menswear, Kerry County Council Tourism Unit and Lee Strand

Milk, was officially launched at Ballyboden St. Enda’s GFC, Dublin last week by Kerry’s ace forward Tommy Walsh and which was also attended by 10 time All-Ireland football winner Cork’s Valerie Mulcahy, current manager of Ballyboden Ladies, legendary broadcaster Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh, former Galway Manager John O’Mahony and representatives of all the participating clubs.

Some management pedigree is on show this year with former Cavan star Larry O’Reilly managing Knockbride in the senior men’s competition, Cork footballing legend Valerie Mulcahy is managing Ballyboden St Enda’s ladies’ senior team while former Offaly senior football manager Stephen Wallace, a native of Ardfert in Kerry, is managing West Kerry side Castlegregory

The festival, founded by

Kerry iconic footballer Páidi Ó Sé, has attracted over 16,000 club players over 30 years and has grown into a major international GAA event with senior, intermediate and junior competitions as well as teams attending social events at Comórtas HQ, Páidí Ó Sé’s pubinVentry.

There is some stiff opposition in the Dermot Earley senior men’s cup with Dingle back to defend their 2019 title against other local West Kerry rivals Annascaul and An Ghaeltacht, while there are five newcomers including Mayo’s Breaffy, Crosserlough of Cavan, Westmeath’s Mullingar Shamrocks, Granemore GFC, County Armagh and North Cork’s Kiskeam, who will all be attempting to leave their mark.

There are 10 Kerry teams competing in total. Apart from the three Kerry clubs in the Dermot Early Cup, the intermediate men’s competition includes Listry and also Castlegregory, under the stewardship of former Offaly senior manager Stephen Wallace while Lispole play in the Junior Men’s competition. Corca Dhuibhne line out in the intermediate Ladies cup while Dingle LGFA, Ballymacelligott and Annascaul compete in the Junior Ladies cup. Newcomers to the intermediate ladies competition include Araglen Desmonds Bui of Cork, Cavan’s Ballymachugh, Ballyroan of Laois while Belturbet Rory O’Moores of Cavan, Edinburgh’s Dunedin Connolly’s and Corca Dhuibhne of West Kerry return again this year.

The intermediate men’s competition sees Kerry’s Listry and Castlegregory lining out with Louth’s Na Piarsaigh (Dundalk) and Hunterstown Rovers (Ardee), St John’s of Sligo along with Cavan’s Knockbride.

In the Junior ladies cup, Kerry have the strongest representation with Ballymacelligott, Annascaul, Finuge / St Senan’s and Dingle LGFA competing against Mayo’s Breaffy and Ballyboden St. Enda’s Ladies, Dublin.

Wild Geese GFC of Orange County, Los Angeles, USA will be up against it in the Junior Men’s Cup in a group that includes West Kerry’s Lispole, Killenaule of Tipperary and London’s St Brendans GAA.

The football festival will also host nightly free music and entertainment which is open to the general public and a Saturday Night Players Banquet at the Comórtas marqueeatPáidiÓSé’spubinArda’Bhóthair,Ventry

Comórtas Chairman Pádraig Óg Ó Sé said, ‘Páidi’s idea to expand the tournament beyond senior men’s teams back in 2009 was visionary and he would be proud to see new clubs getting involved year on year, all wanting to experience all that is good about the GAA.

“We are pleased that the tournament continues to be one of the most talked about GAA events in the calendar and we wish all clubs a safe and enjoyable experience. The support of local host clubs is crucial in ensuring we can maintain such a high number of teams and we thank them for their co-operation and making fields available to us.”

Ó Sé continued, “A special mention is due to Lidl who are in the fourth year of their partnership with us and who have contributed enormously to promoting ladies’ football in the country. We are grateful to our local partners Lee Strand Milk and Kerry County Council Tourism Unit who are backing us also to continue with the Comórtas, which has become a big benefit in terms of local tourism.

“We are also delighted that EJMenswear.com of Sligo, who are related to the Ó Sé family as well as new clothing sponsors McKeever Sports are partnering up with us to ensure it will be another weekend to remember.”