BY CHRIS MCNULTY
THOUSANDS will converge on the historic parish of Naomh Columba in Glencolmcille next weekend as the national finals of Comortas Peile na Gaeltachta come to the scenic south-west venue for the first time since 1989.
Details of what promises to be an exciting weekend of Gaelic Games and Cultural events were unveiled at a press conference at Pairc na nGael on Monday afternoon last with the club outlining their plans for the Bank Holiday weekend.
Some 12 clubs from outside the county will be in attendance to participate in the finals while Kilcar, Gaoth Dobhair, Cloughaneely, Naomh Mhuire and Glenfin along with host club Naomh Columba, will carry the Donegal flags over the various grades.
With the likes of An Gaeltacht (Kerry), Baile Mhuirne (Cork), Naomh Anna (Galway) and Cill Chomain (Mayo) in competition, the fare on show promises to be an enthralling one.
The weekend festivities will get underway next Friday, May 30th, with the opening parade to Pairc na nGael including the children from local youth clubs and the Killybegs Accordian Band. That comes before the first game of the weekend festival that sees local rivals Naomh Columba and Kilcar go head-to-head in a junior quarter final.
Saturday sees action in both junior and senior grades as well as the Ladies semi final that will be played in Kilcar between Cill Chomain and Glenfin. On Saturday night, a marquee to be erected on the grounds, adjacent to the clubhouse, will host a Ceili Mór.
Throughout the weekend, there will be various other events taking place with bus tours and walks around the historic and scenic parish on offer. The Cailin Gaelach will also run all weekend, with ten Cailin Gaelachs in attendance – they will be on their travels for much of the Friday, Saturday and Sunday with the winner crowned in the marquee on Sunday night.
Monday's finals will culminate a frantic weekend of action with no less than three finals down for decision. The U15 final will be played on Sunday afternoon.
"The buzz is starting now and the parish is very lucky to get this - it is a big competition. Getting it can only be good for any club and for any parish," club Chairman Roger Curran told Monday evening's gathering.
"We have to thank Paddy Beag (Gillespie) for the foresight in getting us to apply to host this competition. Generally you have to be nine years ahead for this and we're extremely lucky to have it here in Glen."
Nestled deep in the heart of Donegal GAA Country, it will come as no surprise that the entire proud-and-dedicated parish has rallied to ensure that next weekend will run smoothly.
Indeed it was noted on Monday that one retired guard had offered his services in relation to stewarding and came back to a club meeting with no fewer than 110 names, such is the willingness of the locals to assist their beloved club.
Neighbouring club Kilcar received a warm word of thanks for providing a second pitch for the weekend and for a huge amount of help and direction. "There has been no end of support from them," said Club Secretary Margaret Doherty. "The County Gaeltacht was a great practice run for us. We have had a lot of assistance from Raidio na Gaeltachta; the host club in Cork last year were also on hand with guidance.
"One of the biggest things for us was the volume of people - as it is a Bank Holiday, there would be a lot of people on the move anyway."
As the finishing touches are put to the preparations, the anticipation levels are as vast as the cliffs of Sliabh Liag and Club PRO Catriona Jones noted that it has rubbed off on the younger members of the club.
She said: "A lot of people in this area would be involved in youth clubs and they're all really willing to help out. There would be a lot of interest in football, as there is not much else for them to do.
"But, it is amazing to see all the help and all the youngsters who are becoming involved in the club."
Passion and a hunger for success have been the embodiment of CLG Naomh Columba over the years and although a decline has been suffered in recent times, they are hopeful that the spark will once more be re-ignited with the staging of Comortas Peile na Gaeltachta.
"To be honest, we wouldn't be as big a club as we were in the past. But, this year there is a great amount of lads at training and there is a great competition for places with the players," said Chairman Roger Curran.
"We were relegated last year and the main aim this year is to get back up to Division 1B again, and we're on course so far to do that. We're out of the Championship already, but we'll take that on the chin and get on with it.
"There is a real buzz developing here now and hopefully that will stay on."
The weekend competition also provided a 'great window of opportunity' for players to test themselves against participants from other counties. "That window may not have been open to a lot of these players were it not for this competition," said Margaret Doherty. "It is competitive football and they will stick with it to the end - every team is out to lift it. It is physically challenging due to the amount of games they might play and there are a lot of challenges to deal with."
Meanwhile, patrons attending the weekend-long event are asked to note that there are not ATM facilities in Glencolmcille itself with the nearest being in Ardara or Killybegs. The club are also hoping to provide a shuttle bus service from the village to Pairc na nGael with a one-way traffic system set to be put in place.
See next week's Donegal News for a full look ahead to the action
