The National Launch of the John West Féile 2018 was held in Croke Park yesterday Tuesday 24th April. The Féile na nGael Handball Event is part of the All-Ireland Féile Club festival for all GAA Clubs aimed at players both Boys and Girls at Under 14 years of age on the 1st January. Like last year the Handball event has it’s very own standalone weekend with Hurling, Camogie and Football Féile on different weekends.
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”.
Also 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.”
Representing Handball was GAA Handball President Mr Joe Masterson and Diarmuid Nash (Clare) fresh after his recent success at the World Open Doubles Trials at the weekend. Diarmuid took part in Féile from where he has a runner up’s medal from Div 1 and his club Tuamgraney has been a great supporter of Féile Handball over the years with their last Div 1 success back in 2016 when they took the Girls Div 1 title while they last won the Boys Div 1 in 2015.
Dairmuid Nash stated “My Féile experience was one I look back on fondly. Although we didn’t win, the experience of staying with the host families and competing with high quality opposition from across the country is something that has never left me”
Diarmuid also stated “Everything that is good about handball and the GAA is captured in the Féile weekend”
The Féile Handball competition takes place this year on Saturday 16th June and are being hosted by Galway Handball clubs.
