The Lidl Comórtas Peile Páidí Ó Sé football festival, which welcomed over 1,000 players, mentors and supporters to West Kerry last weekend was officially launched by German Ambassador to Ireland Mrs. Dieke Potzel and Minister of State for Tourism & Sport Brendan Griffin, T.D at Mercy Mounthawk School GAA pitch in Tralee last Saturday where they met the 50 strong men's and ladies Team Germany, made up of six German GAA clubs.

Five out of the six cups on offer left Kerry wot visiting teams. Westmeath's GAA connection with Páidí Ó Sé is well documented, having brought them to the holy grail of a Leinster Senior Football Championship victory back in 2004. Stories of his legacy were shared at last weekend's Páidí Ó Sé football festival by Westmeath's Rosemount GAA senior men's squad who competed in the Dermot Earley senior men's cup.

A small bit of history was created as Rosemount became the first Lake county team to win the senior men's competition, beating Dingle 0-14 to 0-13 in a hugely entertaining final which went to extra time in Gallarus. Rosemount beat Milltown Castlemaine in the semi-final and maintained their form into the decider. Dingle, who accounted for Johnstwonbridge of Kildare and Mayo's Crossmolina on route to the final, started well with Cathal Bambury excelling upfront while Gavin Curran in goals saved twice in the first half to give them a one point lead at half-time. Rosemount captain David McCormack put in a man-of-the-match performance at midfield, contributing four points in the second half to bring it into extra time and it was left in the end to 18 year old Rosemount substitute Lorcan Daly who neatly scored the winning point to edge a victory.

Other Winners

For the record, Ballyboden St. Enda's successfully defended their Senior Ladies Cup by defeating Cavan's Mullahoran by 9-9 to 5-3 in the final. Mayo's Burrishoole won the intermediate ladies final, beating Blessington of Wicklow. Dingle Ladies wont he Junior A Ladies and Liverpool's John Mitchel's won the Junior B Ladies. Augher St. Macartan's of Tyrone won the intermediate title while Cork's Buttevant won the Junior Men's title.

International Affair

The tournament continues to attract many overseas teams. As well as Team Germany men's and ladies, there were five UK clubs from the greater London area and Liverpool competing. Seoul Asian Gaels also competed which was led by captain and chief organiser Niall Dennehy. A native of Cromane, Dennehy who has been living in Seoul for the last three years and sees the GAA as a fantastic way to connect with other ex-pats. "We love gathering out in Seoul for some games and socialising. We came up with a plan to compete in Paidi's tournament as a way to bring past and current ex-pats together and 15 of us lined out, including five lads from Kerry."  .

Comórtas Chairman Pádraig Ó Sé, who was thrilled with the festivities, commented, "As we head into our 30^th anniversary in 2019, the festival is stronger than ever with more an more teams contacting us and wanting to be involved. It has that combination of all that's great about the GAA, lovely scenery, and friendly locals that makes it a winning formula. We cannot do this without are sponsors, Lidl Ireland as well as Lee Strand Milk, EJMenswwear.com and Kerry County Council Tourism Unit as well as the support of local GAA clubs who provide their pitches and also our Comórtas volunteers."

A full round up of results can be found on www.paidiose.com 

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