Local clubs bid for Féile success in Cork

WESTMEATH and South Roscommon will be well represented at this weekend's All-Ireland Féile Peil na n"g in Cork, with Athlone GAA Club bidding to make a major mark on the renowned national competition for a second year running. Athlone and St Brigid's under-14 teams will compete in the Boys' competition, while Moate Ladies will also feature at the tournament. Athlone have been placed in Boys Division 4 (Group D) and will face Donoughmore (Cork) in the opening game on Thursday at 12.30pm. They will also play Michael McCraith Tramore (Waterford), Canovee (Cork) and Courcey Rovers (Cork) in the group phase. Kiltoom-Cam outfit St Brigid's will be in Boys Division 3 (Group B) with Kiltha "g (Cork), Youghal (Cork), Killeagh/Ita's (Cork) and Carrickmacross Emmetts (Monaghan). It's Athlone's second year in a row to attend the mega underage Gaelic football festival, and team mentor Jim Rigney, who assists manager Davy Allen, thinks the competition will be a "fantastic experience" for the youngsters. "It's a major achievement for the young lads. They've done very well as a group, and we've eleven of the panel that competed at last year's Féile. We came through a tough Westmeath Féile to get to the national finals, beating The Downs and Killucan at the end of two tough blitzes. A lot of hard work has been put in at underage level in Athlone, by many people, and we've some very good players on board. Hopefully, the young lads will enjoy the experience and compete well in Cork," said Jim. Moate ladies, under team mentors Trina Murray, Elton Hughes, Mairead Moran and Eamon Coughlan, are also looking forward to the tournament, after recently sealing a place at the event by beating a tough St Loman's outfit in the county decider. Féile Peil na n"g is a national festival of Gaelic football for boys and girls under 14 years of age. It was first held in Cavan in 1982, and this year's host club is Valley Rovers (Brinny), near Innishannon in Cork.