Feile Dreams
June 13, 2019
The sun set on Féile last Sunday night but it will leave an afterglow that will light fond memories for many years to come. The clash of the ash still echoes around the village after a packed programme of matches over three days that showcased the best of hurling talent at under 14 level from the four corners of Ireland.
The two pitches looked magnificent and reflected a massive club effort to prepare for Féile. Excitement had steadily risen over recent weeks and reached giddy proportions as our visiting team from Boolavogue Monageer, County Wexford, arrived by bus on Friday afternoon. They were greeted by all the host families who had generously volunteered to offer accommodation to the twenty-two players and six mentors who had made the long journey from the sunny south-east.
Soon it was down to business, however, as the programme of matches got underway. Killavullen played two games on Friday night, losing to Hospital Herbertstown, Limerick, before gaining the upper hand over near neighbours Carrignavar.
All four teams were catered for afterwards in the community hall in a wonderful display of hospitality and community spirit.
On Saturday morning we had a great game against our new friends Monageer Boolavogue, and with little to divide the teams, the visitors prevailed. The sequence of results sent Killavullen to Ballyhooley and the quarter-final of the shield competition, where we met Thurles. This was a cracking game, with Killavullen, despite injuries to key players, leading by two points with time almost up. We conceded a late, late goal that shattered our Féile dreams.
To compound our disappointment, Monageer Boolavogue went out at the same stage of the cup competition. But that disappointment gradually eased with another very enjoyable evening in the community hall. A big effort was made to show the Cork Waterford game on a large screen and the rebel victory was loudly cheered by the joint Cork and Wexford fan club. The hurling post mortems were put on hold while mixed teams locked horns over a fun quiz in which practically every young participant went home with a sporting prize. In the true spirit of cooperation, the coaches settled on an exchange of skills and strategies that continued into the small hours at various locations around the village. With friendships forged and invitations extended for a trip east, a guard of honour waved good bye on Sunday morning to the Wexford visitors. All the locals spoke highly of them, sharing stories of their good humour, kindness and appreciation of the local hospitality.
Immediately we had to turn our attention to the busy schedule of matches on both fields, as eight teams did battle, from as far away as Connemara, Meath, Armagh, Roscommon, Westmeath and South Kerry and two teams from Cork. Buses and cars brought players and supporters, bringing a great variety of colour and accents. Tears and cheers in equal measure as the harsh lessons of sport left some regrets but unforgettable memories for all involved in such a fantastic competition.
It was especially memorable for our wonderful players who did themselves, their families and their club proud. The club is incredibly proud also of the massive volunteer effort made to prepare and execute the full Féile programme to the highest standard. So many helped fill so many roles, from parking and stewarding to officiating at matches, organising teams at the hall and dressing rooms and catering for many hundreds of players and supporters, and of course hosting players. A huge thank you to all the volunteers. The success of the weekend depended on so many, but would not have been possible without the super-human effort of club officers Rosemaria Taylor and Tommy Cremin, Caroline Hogan and co-ordinator extraordinaire John Beechinor. John’s late father, Johnny, had masterminded the last local Féile celebration in 1985, so it was entirely fitting that John took up the mantle, and no-one could have done it better.
All told it was a fantastic weekend.
Best wishes to Monageer Boolavogue and warm thanks for the presentation made by them to our club. Beir bua an dá chlub.
Killavullen Féile Panel:
Charlie Cremin, Darragh O’Connor, James Lyons, Tomás Fennell, Dan Cronin, Barry Cotter, Fearghal Hogan (c), Eoin O’Hanlon, Willie Gifford, Stephen Rea, Rory O’Regan, Colm Hannon, Owen Magner, Colm O’Mahony, Ian O’Mahony, Evan Sheahan, Eoghan Forde, Dara O’Neill, Jamie Lowe, Shayne Cahill, Niall Feaheny, Seamus Cronin, Conor O’Neill, Colm Hayes.
Coaches:
Michael Rea, John Hannon, Kevin Lillis & Greg Fennell
For the record, the winners in Killavullen on Sunday were; Div 10: Cup : Micheal Breathnach (Galway) 2-6, Southern Gaels (Westmeath) 0-4.
Div 10: Shield: St Dominics (Roscommon) 3-3, Kilmessan (Meath) 1-5.