Cork hosts the Féile na nGael tournament for young hurlers with the great Christy Ring on hand to offer advice.
The inaugural Féile na nGael, the all-Ireland juvenile hurling festival, took place in the birthplace of the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA), Thurles in County Tipperary, in 1971. Since then, it has been held every year in different countries.
The fifth Féile na nGael festival opens in Cork with a colourful parade through the city. It is led by 1,400 boys from 32 counties representing the 64 hurling teams and several camogie clubs participating in the féile.
President of the GAA, Dr Donal Keenan addressed the young hurlers, urging them to,
Respect the game of hurling as a valuable part of our heritage.
The competition at the Féile na nGael is keen with teams from Cork, Ballinure and Delaney's, Claughaun from Limerick, and Knockananna in Wicklow in camogie winning the main awards.
Lessons in the skills of the game are a particular feature of the event. Offering his expertise is former Cork hurling great, Christy Ring. His GAA club Glen Rovers were among the winners.
Christy had the secrets of Cork’s former hurling glories to pass on.
Pat Ryan from Kilkenny won the individual skills competition.
At the closing ceremony, Dr Donal Keenan urged the youngsters returning to counties where hurling is not strong to remember the game when they are back home.
I want you to take back from a county such as Cork, a great love of hurling, and a desire to foster it and to promote it in all parts of the country.
The GAA has been worried about the decline in hurling in some counties, and Féile na nGael is intended to build interest from the youth up. The GAA believes hurling makes an important contribution to the social life of the community.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 23 July 1975. The reporter is Tom MacSweeney.
