Eighty-four (84) club sides, including teams from the US, Europe and the UK, will compete in the 2023 John West Féile Peile na nÓg (Gaelic football and ladies’ football) national finals.
The event will take place across ten venues in Connacht on Saturday 1 July.
What has grown to become one of the biggest underage sporting events in Europe will see 2,000 Gaelic footballers descend on the Connacht GAA Centre of Excellence, in Bekan, Co. Mayo, as well as MacHale Park, Castlebar, and Castlebar Mitchels.
Lifelong Memories
Ladies’ Gaelic Football Association president Mícheál Naughton highlighted that the John West Féile’s emphasis is on fun, friendship and participation.
“Players will make new friends and reconnect with old friends. [The] John West Féile will once again provide young players with lifelong memories.”
Matches will also be played at Páirc Seán Mac Diarmada and Kiltoghert, in Co. Leitrim; Tuam, Claregalway and Clonberne, in Co. Galway; and Castlerea and Tubbercurry, in counties Roscommon and Sligo.
Meanwhile, 136 teams comprising 3,000 players will take part in the John West Féile na nGael regional finals, taking place at 17 venues across Ireland for teams outside the top division on the same day.
Sponsorship Extension
Earlier this year, the company announced an extension of its Féile sponsorship until 2025.
Anne-Claire Monde, head of marketing, John West Ireland, said, “John West is passionate about promoting easy and tasty natural nutrition, and the company engages with Irish families through [the] Féile.
“The competition brings together not only thousands of under-15 hurlers, camogie players and Gaelic footballers, but also their families and supporters, in celebration of the GAA’s community ethos.
“John West has launched a nationwide campaign focusing on its No Drain products – naturally high in protein and Vitamin D, to support muscle health.
“Developed in partnership with expert dieticians who are key opinion leaders in the nutrition field, our high-quality natural protein products help optimise the physical growth and development of young players.
“Our ‘Eat Strong, Go Strong’ strength-and-resilience-through-natural-nutrition message is part of a campaign to build awareness among young athletes of how and when to refuel, particularly before and after matches and training.
“Protein is essential to the formation, growth and repair of muscle tissue. A serving of 15-25g of high-quality protein is recommended within three hours of exercise, to ensure maximum benefit.
“At John West, we are passionate about establishing good nutritional habits among teenagers. [The] Féile gives us the opportunity to highlight the importance of eating good-quality natural protein and Vitamin D, to support an active lifestyle.”
Integral Part Of GAA Calendar
Uachtarán CLG Larry McCarthy said that the John West Féile is an integral part of the GAA calendar.
“It nurtures an enthusiasm for our games, where friendships and memories are made,” McCarthy said.
“Generations have experienced the joy of being a part of Féile na nGael and Féile Peile na nÓg, and I look forward to seeing this tradition continue this year.”
© 2023 Checkout – your source for the latest Irish retail news. Article by Donna Ahern. For more A-brand news, click here. Click subscribe to sign up for the Checkout print edition.
