Irish language to the fore at Mayo Comórtas Peile na Gaeltachta rounds
Glór na nGael were delighted to visit Baile an Chaisil at the weekend when the Mayo finals of Comórtas Peile na Gaeltachta took place. Baile an Chaisil is located on the north coast of Mayo with their pitch and clubhouse located near the popular tourist destination of Downpatrick Head. Although the village itself is not officially in the Gaeltacht, the club serves the parish of Dún Fhíne, which is home to the Gaeltacht village of Béal Deirg. Mayo Gaels therefore, made their way to Páirc Tom Langan, as they sought to represent Mayo in the national competition, which will be held in Cill Chártha over the bank holiday weekend between 29th May and 1st June.
On Saturday, the two junior men’s football semi-finals were played with four Gaeltacht clubs competing. In the first match, the home side played the Béal an Mhuirthead seconds team. They were neck and neck throughout the game, but the visitors eventually managed to get the upper hand by a single point to progress to the junior final on Monday. CLG Acla and CLG Thuar Mhic Éadaigh made the long journey to Baile an Chaisil to line out in the second semi-final. Acaill had recently beaten Tuar Mhic Éadaigh in the Mayo league a few weeks earlier and the match proved very tight and competitive. Tuar Mhic Éadaigh eventually won by two, thanks to a couple of great late scores, including a two pointer. The final was played on Monday and Tuar Mhic Éadaigh held on to win by a single point to secure a place in the national junior men’s competition in Donegal.
Cill tSéadhna will represent Mayo in the senior football competition this year. Unfortunately, they did not have a game in the Mayo qualifiers as the other two senior teams were forced to withdraw due to injuries and other commitments. Neither Cill Chomáin nor the Béal an Mhuirthead first team were able to field on Saturday in the semi-final and Cill tSéadhna were awarded the title of Mayo champions. Cill tSéadhna is located in the west of the county and the club serves the area between Baingear, Gaoth Sáile and Dumha Thuama.
A large crowd will be travelling from Tuar Mhic Éadaigh in the Dúiche Sheoigheach area of south Mayo to the national competition with the club’s Ladies’ team also winning the Mayo round a few weeks ago. Tuar Mhic Éadaigh defeated Béal an Mhuirthead in the final 2-6 to 1-6. The national committee of Comórtas Peile na Gaeltachta introduced a new rule this year that stated that all clubs taking part in the competition must give a commitment to increasing the use of Irish in the club and register with Glór na nGael’s Fondúireacht Sheosaimh Mhic Dhonncha scheme. Mayo was very loyal to the rule and all 8 Gaeltacht clubs in the county were registered with the scheme before taking part in the comórtas. Cill Chomáin currently has a silver medal for the promotion of the Irish language in the club and Glór na nGael would like to encourage and support the other clubs in achieving recognition for what they do for the Irish language.
In the other county rounds held this weekend, Gaoth Dobhair won the Donegal senior men’s championship and Gaeil Fhánada won the junior cup. An Tearmann won the senior Ladies’ cup, with Naomh Columba winning the intermediate and Cill Chártha will be represented in the junior competition. In Galway, Maigh Cuilinn will be going forward as senior winners in men’s football and An Fhairche in junior football. Baile Chláir na Gaillimhe, Cumann Naomh Anna in Leitir Mór and Carna Caiseal will be representing Galway in the Ladies’ competition following their victories at the weekend. Cumann Caide na Gaeltachta and Lios Póil will represent Kerry and Naomh Abán will be the Cork representatives this year. Bhulf Tón and Clann na nGael will take part in the men’s competitions on behalf of Meath, as will the ladies team from Clann na nGael.