The Coaching & Games Department of Down GAA would like to thank everyone who contributed to the success of the 2017 #kelloggsgaacúlcamps in Co.Down.

With the camps now finished for another year, we would like to express our gratitude to the coaches, club co-ordinators and helpers everywhere.

This year we have held more camps than we have ever held before, which is a success in itself.

In 2016 we had a massive 4,702 kids at the Kellogg's GAA Cúl Camps in Down. This year we asked our clubs to help #downgaabreak5000. We identified 5000 as a landmark figure which which only a few years ago was a completely unrealistic target.

We are delighted to announce that the attendance figure for the 2017 Down GAA Kellogg's Cúl Camps was......... 5,700!!!

I thoroughly commend all the clubs who held camps over the past 8 weeks for their efforts, this could not have been achieved without you, your helpers and most importantly the juvenile members of YOUR clubs!!

Underage festival of football set for Down, Louth, and Meath in 2018

Féile Peile na nÓg will be held in Down, Louth, and Meath in June 2018. This will be the first time that Down and Louth have hosted this festival of Gaelic Football, while Meath hosted the event in 1991 and 1992.

Recognised as one of the most important events in the GAA calendar, the Féile Peile na nÓg weekend for Under 14 boys and girls will see over 240 teams and over 6,000 players playing over 600 games over a three-day period, concluding in 30 finals.

Teams from every county in Ireland will descend on Down, Louth, and Meath on Friday the 15th June and will be playing across ten boys and five girls divisions, there will also be Under 14 teams representing New York, San Francisco and Philadelphia as well as teams from around Britain supplying an International dimension and further illustrating the growth of Gaelic Football internationally.

Member of the National Féile GAA Committee and Chairperson of the Local Organising Committee Diarmuid Cahill feels that Féile will leave a lasting legacy to all three host counties.

‘Féile is special and is one of the best weekends in the GAA calendar. The festival of Gaelic Football is about young people celebrating their love of Gaelic Games and having fun. Organising such a large tournament over three counties is a challenge, but it is one that the three counties are looking forward to.’

One of the major elements within Féile is that players from the visiting teams will stay with host families and host clubs across Down, Louth, and Meath. Any GAA and/or LGFA club in Down, Louth, and Meath looking to take part in Féile Peile na nÓg 2018 and to act as hosts have until 15th September to return the application form.

Féile Peile na nÓg will take place across Down, Louth, and Meath between Friday 15th and Sunday 17th June 2018. More information on Féile Peile na nÓg 2018 can be found at www.feilepeile2018.com or on our social media platforms @FeilePeile2018.

Photo: Féile Flag being hand over from the 2017 Hosts Ulster GAA Council to Féile Peile na nÓg 2018 committee representatives Diarmuid Cahill (Chairperson) and Ciarán Flynn (Secretary)
 

Down GAA approve negotiations for Ballykinlar Project - County Centre of Excellence project moves a step further

DOWN GAA Statement - 03-08-17

Down GAA have taken a major step towards a new Centre of Excellence project at Ballykinlar. At a meeting of the County Committee this evening, approval was secured for advanced negotiations with the Ministry of Defence on the proposal of a lease for development.

The early stage discussions between officials of Down GAA and MoD personnel have focused on the potential lease and development of part of the MoD Training Estate at Ballykinlar into a multi-purpose GAA complex. All parties are working towards bringing this exciting plan to fruition.

Ballykinlar has a vibrant GAA community and the local club facility had been a training base for Down senior teams for a number of years.

If approved and progressed, the Ballykinlar Project will form an important part of a new Vision 2020 strategy for the county. While a new complex will cater for the training and administrative needs of Down teams in all Gaelic Games codes, it will also be a significant resource for the Ballykinlar club and the local communities.

END