Local Girls Compete in Ireland
Four Connecticut Girls to Compete in Ireland
Etta
Hanlon and Cyrene Nicholas of Short Beach, Branford , Tess Mackey of
Guilford, and Kristen Dean of Essex will be traveling to Ireland in
June to compete in Féile
Peile na nÓg, Ireland's national under 14 Gaelic
Football tournament.
Gaelic
Football is an ancient sport combining the speed, skills, and agility
of soccer, rugby and basketball. It's played in teams of 15 on a
pitch larger than a soccer field, but with rugby type goals at each
end. The ball is similar to a soccer ball and may be kicked with the
foot or punched with the hand, never thrown. Players move the ball up
the field by soloing, which is tipping it off their toes and back
into the hands every three steps while running. A ball may also be
bounced off the ground, similar to a dribble in basket ball, but
never twice in a row. A ball that goes into the goal is worth 3
points, a ball that goes across the bar between the posts is worth
one point.
The football tournament, Féile Peile na nÓg, is for boys and girls under 14 years of age. Each year as many as 25,000 boys and girls take part across Ireland. The winning team from each Irish county and selected members of teams from North America and the UK then travel to the host county where the players stay with local families and compete in the football tournament.
"Earning a spot on the team is such an honor. All the girls are amazing athletes, and I am so happy to have a chance to play with them." says Cyrene. "Although it is hard to juggle getting homework done during the week when driving two hours each way." adds Tess.
The tryouts began in March and consisted of two to three trips to New York every week until 24 of the 65 girls were picked on April 15. The four girls will continue training in New York until they leave for Ireland on June 18. To help fund their trip, the girls have raffle tickets for sale and would be thrilled with any donations and community support. For more info, email: [email redacted]
