International Participation in John West Féile 2024

The John West Féile brings together thousands of young hurlers, camogie players and gaelic footballers at Under 15 level, in a celebration of the GAA’s community ethos through underage competition.

This year World GAA units will be well represented in the long-standing competition with 22 teams across the four codes.

Féile Chairperson, Diarmuid Ó Cathail notes the ties between the GAA and the Irish diaspora;

“It’s fantastic to see the continued participation of the international teams with all codes across the Féile weekends. The international teams, with their new generation of players from both Irish and non-Irish descent, maintains and develops the strong relationship between the GAA and the Irish diaspora.

For many players this may be their first visit to Ireland, giving them an opportunity not only to play our national games but also experience many other aspects of Irish culture. Hopefully these weekends provide enjoyment and create new friendships and memories for all our visiting teams.”

This is the second time that Australasia will be sending a Féile team to Ireland – flying over 9,000 miles to compete. Brian Briscoe, originally from Dublin managing the Australasia football team recalls his Féile days;

“I still recall my Féile in 1990 with such fond memories. I am so excited about our squad of boys making the same life-long memories for themselves.”

New York are no strangers to the competition, with their first Hurling team competing in the competition back in 2017. Laurence Kennedy from Ballinascreen in County Derry, the New York Féile Hurling manager highlights the part Féile plays in the player pathway;

“We are really looking forward to the team travelling home. The trip gives them an experience of a lifetime and the opportunity to keep hurling into their adulthood.”

Kenny O’Connor is the New York Féile Football manager – preparations have been coming along well for the footballers who will be competing in Division 1;

“We have been training since the beginning of March, twice a week with a panel of 24 players. We’ve been training in Van Cortland, Rockland, Gaelic Park, Paddy’s Field and recently in the newly opened Redmond Park too. Challenge games are hard to come by, but we played Boston a few weeks ago.”

With five teams from North America, Chairperson of USGAA, Paul Keane outlines the impact the competition has had;

“USGAA are delighted to have players from across the US again participating in Féile, with teams competing in games from Wexford to Mayo. In addition to being the trip of a lifetime for the players and their families, it is also an important part of the Player Pathway, which for the first time now includes a USGAA Adult Inter-County team. In years to come, I am sure that many of our future inter-county players will look back on their Féile trip as an important stepping stone on that path to becoming an Inter-County player.

We’d also like to thank the coaches and families of these players, whose dedication and commitment to fostering the players interest in football and hurling, has driven the phenomenal growth we have seen throughout the country.”

Provincial Council of Britain Chairperson, Sean Hopkins commented;

“On behalf of Provincial Council, I would like to wish all the teams from Britain competing in the Féile competitions the best of luck. The Féile is part of our GAA calendar and is eagerly anticipated by the GAA Community here in Britain. It gives us the chance to showcase the strength of our homegrown talent from various parts of the country. The Féile gives the players great memories and hopefully encourages their future development on their pathway to playing Senior football. I would like to thank all the coaches for their dedication and the parents who are travelling in support.”

For the third time Europe will be represented at Féile. In 2022 Berlin won the European Féile, Vannes in 2023 and now Belgium alongside Boqueixon of Galicia will represent Europe in 2024. Liam Breslin, Chairperson of Belgium GAA said:

“Féile is the pinnacle for a young player. But for clubs like Belgium, tournaments such as Féile, European Féile and Benelux tournaments are critical enablers for the development of the game in Europe as they incentivise players.

“And not just in terms of competition, but also tournaments are fantastic for team building, making new friends and having fun, especially those that involve travelling. It’s what memories are made of.”

John West Féile na nGael takes place this Saturday June 22nd for Hurling and Camogie clubs at Under 15 level, this includes four international teams with New York GAA entering a Camogie team for the first time ever.

John West Féile Peile na nÓg takes place next Saturday June 29th for LGFA and Gaelic Football clubs at Under 15 level, this includes eighteen international teams.