24th-26th June 2016
Féile na nÃg is a Club festival for Gaelic football and Ladies Gaelic football at Under 14 level, involving teams from across the Association. The Féile na nGael National tournaments will be held in Kerry, West Limerick and West Cork on the weekend of 24th â 26th June 2016.
Féile provides an opportunity for:
A core aim of Féile tournaments is to promote a philosophy whereby
every player has the opportunity to participate and play in their
respective Féile tournament at a level commensurate to their age, skills
and strengths.
1. Participating Teams
Féile na nÃg competitions are composed of host and visiting teams. Host
teams are drawn from the host region (Counties). Visiting teams
participating at the National Finals of Féile na nÃg will be nominated
by their County Bord na nÃg to represent their respective Counties. Both
host clubs and visiting Counties are graded into their respective
divisions. Normally the identity of the visiting teams is determined by
the results of internal Féile na nGael competitions, however, due to the
level of interest from host clubs, each visiting County is usually
asked to nominate 2 â 3 representatives. All overseas units are also
asked to nominate representatives to take part at Féile na nÃg.
2. Competition Format
Generally divisions are composed of 16 teams â 8 host clubs, and their 8 visiting teams. Depending on local requirements, deviation from the 16 team division is possible in co-operation with the national Féile committee.
Since 2014, Féile na nÃg has introduced both Cup and Shield competitions in each Division. To facilitate this each division of 16 teams is divided into four groups (Groups A â D) of four teams (two host clubs and their visiting clubs). Each team plays each other team on a round robin basis. Upon completion of the three group games teams are ranked 1 â 4. Teams ranked 1st and 2nd proceed to the Cup quarter finals, while teams ranked 3rd and 4th proceed to the Shield quarter finals. Therefore, each participating team is guaranteed a minimum of four games â three group games, and either a Cup or Shield quarter final.
Thereafter, knockout quarter finals, semi-finals and finals take place in each of the Cup and Shield competitions.
3. Playing Numbers
Participating teams shall be 15-a-side (unless Coiste Stiúrtha Náisiúnta Féile has decided that a certain Division may deviate from the 15 a-side rule), comprising of players who are over 11 and under 14 years of age on 1st January in the year of Féile. Panels in a 15-a-side division are limited to 24 players.
Depending on the requirements of the host region, certain division may be designated as 13 or 11a-side. Participation at 13 or 11-a-side is limited to those clubs that field at 13 or 11-a-side in their local Under 14 competitions. Where a division is designated as 13 or 11-a-side, the visiting Counties will also be asked to nominate a 13 or 11-a-side club. It is not possible for either host or visiting clubs to request to be designated as 13 or 11-a-side for the purposes of participation at Féile only. Where competitions are based on reduced team numbers e.g. 11 or 13 a side Coiste Stiúrtha Náisiúnta Féile will stipulate a reduced maximum panel size for all teams participating in that competition.
Similarly, amalgamated teams are permitted to participate in Féile na nÃg, though again this is limited to those clubs that field as an amalgamated unit in their local Under 14 competitions in that year. It is not possible for either host or visiting clubs to request to amalgamate for the purposes of participation at Féile only.
Each team shall be accompanied by a maximum of 4 team mentors.
4. Competition Schedule
The final competition schedule is to be confirmed, however usually the schedule is as follows:
Friday 24 June | Each team plays their first two group games |
Saturday 26 June | Each team plays their final group game Each team plays their Cup or Shield quarter final |
Sunday 27 June | Cup and Shield semi finals Cup and Shield finals |