Féile na nGael Champions 2026Our U15 hurlers have booked their place in the Féile na nGael National Competition for 2026 following an epic weekend of hurling in Mungret St. Paul’s. Guided by the trusty leadership of Micheál Downes and his management team, the boys played their hearts out in all 3 group games on Friday night, followed by the semi-final and final on Sunday. There were tense, and sometimes challenging moments over the course of the weekend, but these were topped by the fantastic character, skill and unshakable determination our boys showed in each game. The boys of 2026 Féile na nGael Round 1 Na Piarsaigh 1-07Monagea 0-08Monagea raced into a 3-point lead inside the opening half of our round 1 tie on Friday evening. Gavin Hayes opened the scoring for ourselves before Evan Waters converted 2 frees to leave us trailing 6 points to 3 at half time. It was a shaky start for us with the lads looking slightly on edge. Boys looked nervous with simple catches being dropped and clean pick-ups missed. The half-time whistle couldn’t come quick enough. They weren’t long into the huddle before Kevin Downes had them settled. A few calming words of encouragement and one or two expletives where required. It was just what the lads needed. As soon as the ball was thrown in you could see the change in mindset. Evan landed 3 frees in a row before Michael Linnane buried the crucial goal. Lads were now grabbing sliotars that were being fumbled in the opening half. Mannix Buckley had built a wall in the full back line, guarded closely by Jack Hogan and Will O’Leary in each corner. Our half-back line was also starting to command the area with Peter Bowens, Liam Sheehan and Sean Ryan all roaring into the game. We had burned off the dirty diesel in the first half and just now getting into gear. Michael’s goal put us 2-points to the good before Monagea narrowed the gap back to 1. Up steps Adam Butler with the clock winding down to put 2 back between the sides, his score followed quickly by the ref's final whistle. A hard-fought win in round 1 against a tough and impressive Monagea side with plenty of quality hurlers. There was muted talk of potentially meeting them again further in the competition if things went our way. There was a bit of merit in that as it turned out.Team: Conor Flanagan, Jack Hogan, Mannix Buckley, Will O'Leary, Peter Bowens, Liam Sheehan, Sean Ryan, Casey Doran, Paddy McCaul, Gavin Hayes(0-01), Evan Waters(0-05f), Jacob Bourke, Michael Linnane(1-00), George Conway, Adam Butler(0-01). Féile na nGael Round 2Na Piarsaigh 2-06Ballybrown 0-04Round 2 would have us out to avenge our 2025 U14 County Championship semi-final loss to Ballybrown, them having scored a handsome win over Mungret in round 1. We got off to a blistering start with Adem O’Neill finding the net inside the opening minutes. A goal his ould lad Eddie would have been no stranger to over the years. Evan Waters added a free and a ‘65 before half time with us entering the break up 1-02 to 2-points. Our opposition weren’t too hectic on the scoreboard but they were creating chances and causing us problems around the pitch. Paddy McCaul and Casey Doran made a solid Coonagh pairing at the centre of the field, the former stepping up to land his first score of the day on 17 minutes. This was followed closely by Sean Ryan driving over a monster point from his own 65 and close to the sideline with 20 played. An inspirational score by Seanie. Odhran O’Shea and Max Ross both acquitted themselves diligently in the half forward line, making life difficult for the Ballybrown backs. Adam Butler slipped a goal to settle the affair with 3 to play before Seanie would raise his second white flag to close out the game. Team: Conor Flanagan, Jack Hogan, Mannix Buckley, Adam O'Rahilly, Will O'Leary, Liam Sheehan, Sean Ryan(0-02), Casey Doran, Paddy McCaul(0-01), Odhran O'Shea, Evan Waters(0-03, 0-02f 1’65), Max Ross, Michael Linnane, Adem O'Neill(1-00), Adam Butler(1-00). Féile na nGael Round 3 Na Piarsaigh 3-08Mungret 0-10Round 3 saw us really come into our own as a team. Adem added to his goal in round 2 with 2 more well taken 3-pointers, one from the boot and the second drilled to the net with the aid of his stick. George Conway also grabbed a goal, expertly finishing to the corner of the net following some nice build-up play from our forwards. Jacob Bourke was back into the starting team for round 3 with him linking up well with Evan Waters and Max Ross. Jack Hogan Quain and Danny Galligan selected at the back to shore up our defense, while Adam O’Rahilly was also brought in at corner back. Toby Conlan registered a lovely score in the dying moments before both Luke Hartnett and Thomas Fitzgough, both having come off the bench, landed a point each. We were 3 wins from 3, semi-final bound, and a day’s rest to tackle. Team: Conor Flanagan, Jack Hogan Quain, Mannix Buckley, Adam O’Rahilly, Danny Galligan, Liam Sheehan, Sean Ryan, Gavin Hayes, Peter Bowens, Max Ross(0-02, 1’65), Evan Waters(0-03, 0-01f), Jacob Bourke, Toby Conlon(0-01), Adem O’Neill(2-00), George Conway(1-00).Sub: Luke Hartnett(0-01), Thomas Fitzgough(0-01), Robert Tunn, Liam Relihan, Colin Halpin. Féile na nGael Semi-FinalNa Piarsaigh 0-11Murroe Boher 1-07Michael Linnane got us off the mark in our semi-final with a point inside 3 minutes. Murroe Boher quickly levelled the game with one of their own at the other end. Then Paddy McCaul popped up with his first of the day. The Coonagh man had to make a quick visit to a Thomond Park dressing room on Saturday ahead of Shannon’s 2B semi-final. It wasn’t the rugby he was after mind, more the attention of Shannon’s physio. Anyway, whoever the physio was, he did a good job. Half time saw us lead Murroe Boher by 6 points to 4. In addition to Michael and Paddy’s scores, Evan Water’s converted 3 placed balls as well as Liam Sheehan dropping a long-range free over the bar. We maintained our lead throughout most of the second half but we couldn’t quite shake off the opposition. Evan maintained his 100% record from placed balls before Adam Butler got our only score from play in the second half with 2 minutes remaining. Danny Prieto was to win a crucial free with the clock winding down, for Evan to put 4 between the sides. The healthy gap proved invaluable as Murroe Boher went down the field from the resultant puck-out, winning a 21-yard free that was duly dispatched to the net. The solitary goal conceded by Conor Flanagan all weekend, who was so assured between the sticks for Na Piarsaigh, and his puck-outs on point all throughout. A point between the sides following Murroe Boher’s goal but time was well up. We gathered possession from Conor’s puck-out with the ref having no choice but to blow it up. A hard-fought win for the lads and a Féile final to come against our round 1 opponents Monagea. The lads prior to the semi-final against Murroe Boher. Team: Conor Flanagan, Jack Hogan, Mannix Buckley, Will O'Leary, Peter Bowens, Liam Sheehan(0-01f), Sean Ryan, Casey Doran, Paddy McCaul(0-01), Jacob Burke, Evan Waters(0-07, 0-06f, 1’65), George Conway, Michael Linnane(0-01), Adem O'Neill, Adam Butler(0-01)Subs: Adam O'Rahilly, Max Ross, Gavin Hayes and Danny Prieto. This was Downesy after the warm-up. Féile na nGael FinalNa Piarsaigh 2-10Monagea 0-12We got off to the best possible start with Adam Butler lashing the ball to the Monagea net inside the opening minute. The opposition responded with a score at the other end before Evan Waters sent over our first point of the final. Adam Butler then proceeded to finish to the net what was possibly our best play of the weekend. Paddy McCaul found himself bounding down on goals, coming in from the left hand side. He sent a lovely handpass to Adem on the 14, who duly found Adam Butler unmarked on the edge of the square. Butler made no mistake with the finish. We entered half time 5-points to the good, leading 2-04 to 0-05.Monagea looked to have the measure of us in the second period, scoring 4 points without reply. It wasn’t until the 30th minute that we registered our next score. A long range free from our captain Liam Sheehan to relieve the pressure. It was so badly needed to put a dent in Monagea’s charge. Evan Water’s landed his third free of the game soon after, followed by 2 more from play. Evan put in 3 solid performances on Friday evening in the group stage, converting all but one free. In Sunday’s semi-final, he went up another gear, registering 7 placed balls and contributing heavily in open play. But young Water’s saved his best for the final, ending the game with 7 points, 4 from play and proving simply unremarkable for the Monagea centre back. Outstanding. Casey Doran and George Conway both popped up for scores in the closing moments of the normal time but we weren’t done yet. Adam Butler almost had his hat-trick but for what was thought to be a hole in the net. Twice in the final period, Seanie Ryan was called to action to deal with Monagea’s marquee forward. On both occasions, their man was bearing down on goal, with Seanie refusing to let him pass. The first Seanie put in a heavy challenge, settling for the concession of a free. The second attempt, Seanie wasn’t taking any chances, tossing the Monagea player aside like you’d fling a traffic cone out of your path. He took a yellow for that one, which I don’t think anyone could argue against. We ground out the remaining seconds before the ref blew for time. Féile Luimnigh Champions 2026, title number 12 for Na Piarsaigh, and off to Portlaoise on the 20th of June. Huge credit to the players, their parents and the management team for the incredible work that has gone into this team over the past number of years, but especially the last 4 months where this campaign is concerned. Micheál Downes as manager, along with his 4 coaches and selectors in Kevin, Keith, Billy and Niall. The real work starts now lads. The boys let loose on receiving the cup. I’ll finish with a quote from Liam Sheehan’s acceptance speech today: “Lastly, I’d like to thank Micheál for all the passion he’s given to us over the last few years. Micheál, you’re an inspiration to all of us and we wouldn’t be here without you.” Micheál, the legend. Liam Sheehan accepts the cup. Team: Conor Flanagan, Jack Hogan, Mannix Buckley, Will O'Leary, Peter Bowens, Liam Sheehan(0-01f), Sean Ryan, Casey Doran(0-01), Paddy McCaul, Max Ross, Evan Waters(0-07, 0-03f), George Conway(0-01), Danny Prieto, Adem O'Neill, Adam Butler(2-00).Subs: Michael Linnane, Adam O'Rahilly, Gavin Hayes, Jacob Bourke and Toby Conlon. Billy, Keith, Micheál, Kevin and Niall with the cup in the club on Sunday evening.
