Thousands of camogie players and hurlers gear up for John West Féile na nGael finals
Tipperary star Darragh McCarthy with U15 O'Tooles hurler Jamie Carroll at Croke Park in advance of the John West Féile na nGael finals 2026. Photo by David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile.
Over 200 club sides, comprising thousands of players, will compete in the John West under-15 Féile na nGael Camogie and Hurling Finals 2026 across numerous venues nationwide this Saturday (June 20).
What has grown to become one of the biggest underage sporting events in Europe will see top tier teams descend on O'Moore Park and the LOETB Centre of Excellence, Portlaoise, as well as other Laois and Carlow venues, for the national finals.
On the same day, almost 200 teams will take part in the John West Féile na nGael regional finals taking place at venues across Ireland for sides outside the top grade.
The Féile Peile na nÓg (Gaelic football and ladies’ football) national finals will take place at the Derry GAA Centre of Excellence, Owenbeg and other Derry venues on Saturday, June 27, when regional finals for teams outside the top tier will also take place at venues nationwide.
The John West Féile finals have drawn teams from all over the world, including the Americas, Australasia, and mainland Europe and Britain, where the competition is credited with helping fuel interest in Gaelic games amongst children from non-Irish backgrounds.
For the first time, a team representing Europe LGFA will take part in the John West Féile Peile na nÓg finals this year.
A Gaelic games festival across all four codes and grades at under-15 level, John West Féile is, for many players, their first time to compete in a GAA national championship. It also comprises rounders and handball competitions.
At the John West Féile finals, competing sides from outside the island of Ireland are usually an amalgamation of club teams playing under a county banner, while club sides here play off at local level for the honour of representing their county.
In the 11 years of John West’s sponsorship of Féile, the competition has grown remarkably. The company seeks to promote the importance of resilience and nutrition among juveniles through its sponsorship.
Jonn West has reaffirmed its long-standing commitment to the GAA’s national under-15 Gaelic games celebration, across camogie, Gaelic football, hurling and LGFA, as well as rounders and handball, until 2028.
“As John West Féile is, for many players, their first time to compete in a national competition, the GAA has always worked to ensure a positive experience for players, parents and coaches, who make an incredible contribution to ensure it is so special,” said John West Ireland Head of Marketing, Anne-Claire Monde.
“Every year, thousands of young players are brought together annually in celebration of the GAA’s community ethos through underage competition,” she said.
All-Ireland winning Galway camogie captain Carrie Dolan with U15 O'Tooles player Holly Dempsey at Croke Park in advance of the John West Féile na nGael finals 2026. Photo by David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile.
Uachtarán CLG, Jarlath Burns, said John West Féile is an integral and very important part of the GAA calendar.
“It has nurtured a wonderful enthusiasm for our games and has been the making of many friendships and memories,” he said.
“Generations have experienced the joy of being a part of Féile na nGael and Féile Peile na nÓg. I look forward to seeing that tradition continue this year.
“Our thanks to John West for their support in the promotion of this competition and to the national organising committee for their work on John West Féile 2026.”
Brian Molloy, Uachtarán an Chumainn Camógaíochta, said the concept of John West Féile na nGael has thrived through the invaluable contribution of parents and coaches.
"I am hugely looking forward to John West Féile 2026. It is one of the standout events of our calendar and is one of the most cherished moments in the development of many camogie players.
“The very best of luck to all participants this weekend. I would also like thank our officials and volunteers, who make these events happen. Go n-éirí le gach éinne a bheidh páirteach, agus bainigí taitneamh as."
Féile na nGael has been in existence since 1971, while Féile Peile na nÓg will mark 44 years this year.
This year’s competitions allow eligible clubs compete against teams facing similar demographic realities, fostering balanced matches and helping sustain underage Gaelic games in communities where numbers are under pressure.
