John West was today joined by Cork hurler Eoin Cadogan, Dublin footballer Paul Mannion, and Roscommon ladies Gaelic footballer Amanda McLoone to launch the 2018 John West National GAA Féile competitions in Croke Park.

The John West Féile na nGael and Féile Peile na nÓg competitions are national festivals for Gaelic football, Ladies Gaelic football, Handball, Hurling, Camogie and Rounders played at Under 14 level involving both national and International teams. The highly-anticipated competition gives up-and-coming GAA superstars the chance to participate and play in their respective John West Féile tournaments, at a level which suits their age, skills and strengths.

This is the third year that John West will sponsor the underage tournament, which is the biggest competition of its kind in Europe. Throughout its sponsorship of the Féile, John West has focused on encouraging children to participate in Gaelic Games while emphasising the importance natural protein plays in fuelling a young athlete.

Speaking at the announcement, John West General Manager Peter Rooney said: “We are delighted to continue our Féile sponsorship into 2018. The Féile competitions are such unique events and we in John West feel privileged to be a part of them. They hold a special place in our calendar and are something that the whole company really looks forward to, year on year.”

“The Féile competitions highlight the importance of sport in children’s lives and this is something that John West is truly passionate about. We pride ourselves on supporting children who are playing and taking part in sports and make a continuous and conscious effort to highlight the importance of continuing to play into their teenage and adult years. Alongside this, the Féile competitions give us the opportunity to highlight the importance of protein in our children’s diets, and the range of John West products created to support active families in a contemporary way whilst consistently delivering the health benefits of fish.”

The John West design the Féile 2018 jersey competition was run in partnership with O’Neills in March of this year providing an additional vehicle for children to get involved in Féile. Promoted by O’Neills, John West and the GAA, the competition received lots of entries of a very high standard from Féile enthusiasts nationwide making judging very difficult.

The winning design was submitted by Aoibheann O’Neill from Stoneyford in County Kilkenny whose local club is Carrickshock. Aoibheann based her winning design on the jersey colours of hurling & camogie winners of the John West Féile 2017. As part of their Féile activation campaign in 2018, John West will be releasing a series of videos where their ambassadors will talk about their Féile memories, give training & nutritional advise and go head to head with future intercounty players Finn Bruton, Alex Kelly, Jack Kelly, Erica Collins, Leah Dunne and Sophie McIntyre from Lucan Sarsfields to test their skills!

GAA President, John Horan said; “Féile has long been established as a special event within our family of competitions and in many ways brings out the best in the communities and families that make the GAA what it is. The chance for teams from all around the island and beyond to come together with hosting clubs sees friendships forged and in many ways is a coming of age for young players and the increased opportunities for players to compete has been welcomed.

“I would like to thank John West for their imaginative and passionate support of these competitions. The efforts of those who work with us to ensure our players remain engaged in our games through competitions such as this are always welcome and I look forward to exciting games to come.”