01 July 2011
While the Feis na nGleann is over one hundred years in existence it never ceases to create a little bit of history. In recent years it has moved out of the Glens to the likes of Dunloy and Loughgiel, but has never got as far as Ballymena. This weekend this great celebration of Irish culture, which was first held in Glenariffe in 1904, will finally make it to the ‘City of the Seven Towers’ as the All Saints club host the four day event at their spacious Woodside Road complex for the first time.
The ‘Feis’, which includes Hurling, Camogie and Gaelic Football as well as Irish dancing, traditional music and arts and crafts, gets underway on Friday evening when both the Junior and Senior Camogie finals are decided. At Junior level Cushendall will face either Loughguiel or Tir-na-nOg while at senior level Loughgiel face neighbours Ballycastle.
Saturday’s events begin in the early afternoon when the Under 16 B hurling championship will be decided when Sean Stinsons, the Ahoghill/ Portglenone Combination outfit, tackle Glenarm. Next up is the Junior Feis Hurling decider where Cushendall and Loughguile do the business.
The hightlight of the evening, at 7-00pm, is the Feis Cup Senior Football final where the host club will be hoping to downsize the O’Cahan Cup Champions Rasharkin.
Sunday is always the “big day” with the Feis Hurling final the main attraction. Timed for 7-30pm the First Trust Bank sponsored event sees the holders Dunloy defend their crown against Cushendall.
Activities begin at 11 am with Under 12 Ground skill which features Loughgiel, Cushendall, Glenshesk, St Brendans, and Glenarm. At 3-00pm Cushendall and Loughgiel meet in the Under 16 Feis Camogie decicer with the Junior Feis Football final between Ballycastle and Rasharkin at 4-30.
History will be made again in the McMullan Cup hurling final between St Endas and Cushendall is at 6-00pm. It may be no surprise that new boys to North Antrim St Enda’s have never won this highly prestigious competition but it is amazing that a club with the history of Cushendall has never lifted this trophy.
The action actually continues on Monday evening at Slemish Park when county minor champions Cushendall take on Ballycastle in Darragh Cup final (Under 18 Hurling) while this great festival of gaelic games draws to a close at 7-45 when old rivals Loughgiel and Dunloy meet in the Countess of Antrim Cup final.