November 25th, 2019

The John West Féile Peil na nÓg, an annual U14 Gaelic Football tournament in Ireland, is the largest competition of its kind an Europe. In 2020 it will be held across Donegal, Derry, and Tyrone on the weekend of 26th – 28th June 2020. To build upon the great work and fantastic successes that successive Hertfordshire coaches and teams have achieved in recent years, we have decided to start trials much earlier than in previous years.

To that end, we will be commencing trials this side of Christmas from the 16th of November at St Albans Irish Centre, St Albans, AL2 1DW. The sessions will be from 2:15-4pm and we are inviting boys from all clubs born in 2006 or 2007 to attend these trials.

We are holding 6 trials on successive weeks and would expect children to attend a minimum of 4 trials to be considered for selection. Players are to bring their own training kit, gum shield and sufficient footwear for the playing surface. All details for the first 6 trials are below:

  • 16th of November – St Albans Irish Centre, AL2 1DW, 2:15-4pm (Grass Pitch)
  • 23rd of November – St Albans Irish Centre, AL2 1DW, 2:15-4pm (Grass Pitch)
  • 30th of November – Nicholas Breakspear School, 125 Colney Heath Lane, St Albans, AL4 0TT, 2:15-4pm (Astro Pitch)
  • 7th of December – Nicholas Breakspear School, 125 Colney Heath Lane, St Albans, AL4 0TT, 2:15-4pm (Astro Pitch)
  • 14th of December – Nicholas Breakspear School, 125 Colney Heath Lane, St Albans, AL4 0TT, 2:15-4pm (Astro Pitch)
  • 11th of January – Nicholas Breakspear School, 125 Colney Heath Lane, St Albans, AL4 0TT, 2:15-4pm (Astro Pitch)

Please note that being selected for the Herts county team involves travelling to Ireland and will require a minimum of one day off school, possibly two, depending on our travel arrangements. The cost will be in the region of £180 and it will also mean additional training sessions through 2020, possibly 2 per month in January and February and then every week there after until the competition in June.

We have a team of coaches and selectors that are keen and willing to give up their time to fully prepare this team. Our only request is that everyone that comes out for the trials understands and fully commits for the next 6 months in return.

In terms of selecting the team, we will be as transparent as possible and will provide full details of each trial’s goals and objectives. At a high level we will be selecting kids based on:

Ability
Fitness/Endurance
Speed
Attitude

More details will be provided in advance of each session.

In the meantime, we would like to compile a contact group of all parents that will be sending a child along. If you are interested could you get in touch with Neil Gallagher (St Colmcilles) and provide your Name, Kid’s Name, your mobile and email.

Neil’s details are: 077406 056 48, Neil.Gallagher@capedkoala.com