Three in a row for westport gaelscoil at gael linn football file

GAELSCOIL na Cruaiche, Westport, have been crowned champions of Féile Peile Gael Linn - for the third year in a row.  

This popular annual football tournament, organised by Gael Linn for Gaelscoileanna and Gaeltacht primary schools, was held yesterday and today (Wednesday and Thursday) in An Spidéal in the Connemara Gaeltacht.

In an exciting all-Mayo final, the Westport footballers narrowly defeated their opponents from Scoil Raifteirí, Castlebar, by just one point on a scoreline of 4-5 to 3-7.

Teacher and team trainer Colm Ó Conghaile was naturally thrilled with his pupils’ fantastic achievement, making it a hat trick for the school.

The team was jointly captained by Malcolm Mac an Mhile and Áine Ní Nuanáin, and there were cheers from their delighted schoolmates and supporters as they accepted the Gael Linn Cup on behalf of the victors from special ‘féile’ guest, Paul Conroy - Galway senior football captain.

Almost 160 pupils from eight schools, accompanied by their teachers, were in An Spidéal for the two-day festival. Teams travelled to the area from Gaelscoil Raifteirí, Castlebar, Gaelscoil de hÍde, Roscommon, Gaelscoil na Cruaiche, Westport, Gaelscoil Dara, Galway, and Scoil Iognáid, Galway, to participate with teams from Connemara schools Scoil Mhic Dara, An Cheathrú Rua, a combined team from schools in the Camus/Rosmuc area, and the home team, Scoil Éinne, An Spidéal.

Games administrator Éanna Ó Conghaile commended all the young players for their sporting play during the festival.