Mallow Under 14 footballers had an action packed few days last week when they took part in the All Ireland Feile Fe 14 Football tournament which this year was held in Cork.

Mallow were entered in Section 1 and our games were played in Carrigoon and involved matches against Charleville, Na Piarsaigh, Claremorris (Mayo county champions) and Ballymun Kickhams (Dublin County Champions)

On Thursday Mallow’s first game was against local rivals Charleville and like many of the recent games between these clubs the match was played at a frantic pace with a lot of skill being shown by both teams. Also as consistent with recent results there was little to separate both teams all through and the game ended All square which was a fair result.

That evening the players and coaches went to Cork city where together with a further 194 boys and girls teams marched from The Mardyke to the Grand Parade where each team was met by the President of the GAA Mr Christy Cooney.

On Friday morning early we took on Na Piarsaigh. In what turned out to be a very competitive match, we were in contention right up to the last five minutes at which time the greater strength of our opponents took over and they ran out winners by five points.

Due the system of blitz competition we were required to take to the field 15 minutes later to take on the Dublin County Champions, Ballymun Kickhams and with fatigue and injuries we never got going and had to play second fiddle to much stronger opponents. Incidentally Ballymun Kickhams were crowned All Ireland Champions the following day.

Our Final game was against Claremorris (Mayo champions) and this was a very even game up to half time. However the strength in depth of the opposition’s bench told in the last ten minutes and eventually won out by 9 points.

The coaches and selectors wish to congratulate All 24 players on a fabulous effort put in by everyone. Lads you did yourselves, your club and your families proud. We were entered in a Section above our capabilities but acquitted ourselves very well.

The Team and Mentors would like to give special thanks to our Feile Coordinator Ciara Kiely and our First Aid person Tom Woulfe on a job well done.

Panel: K Doyle,J Healy, D Moynihan, D O Donoghue, A Sheehan, J Kennedy(Captain),D Breen, MMcGrath, L Delaney, C Moynihan, A Woods, R Browne, G Lehane, R O Mahony, P Doyle, B Kelly, P Lyons, K Taylor, S O Callaghan, J Connaughton, K Hayes, R Walsh, B Kennedy and R Barrett

Coaches/Selectors/ Mentors: A Copps, K O Halloran, M O Mahony, B O Halloran, H Dockery,A Mc Grath and D Sheehan