Burrishoole ladies from Mayo to play in 35th Comórtas Peile Páidí Ó Sé Football Festival

The countdown has begun for the Lidl Comórtas Peile Páidí Ó Sé 2024, the famed club ladies' and men’s Gaelic football tournament taking place all across the Dingle Peninsula this weekend (February 23 to 25).

Burrishoole ladies, 2018 Comórtas champions, tog out once again in a six-team round robin senior ladies competition. Their side of the draw incudes Drumlane of Cavan and Foxrock/Cabinteey of Dublin. Should they progress, they will encounter either Naomh Abán of Cork, Cooley Kickhams of Louth or reigning champions Clonguish of Longford.

Many will be keeping an eye on Cahir GAA Club from Tipperary in the junior men’s competition as 2fm Drivetime radio presenter Johnny O’Brien – AKA Johnny B, who is one of the famous Irish comedy duo, The Two Johnnies – will be togging out.

Fifteen clubs from counties across the four provinces of Ireland, as well as one UK club, will take part in the 35th edition of the Lidl Comórtas Peile Páidí Ó Sé, with 28 adult men’s and ladies' teams attending for a weekend of competitive football and social events, including popular Irish band Super Céilí at Páidí Ó Sé’s pub in Ventry, Kerry.

Every year, the cream of GAA club football descend on west Kerry – and this year sees many championship-winning teams competing.

The football festival, which was founded by eight-time All-Ireland winner Páidí Ó Sé, is supported by Lidl Ireland, EJ Menswear, Kerry County Council's tourism unit, Dooctor.ie, Medel Healthcare, Fáilte Ireland and Údarás na Gaeltachta, and has attracted over 30,000 club players since it was founded in 1989.

Comórtas chairman Pádraig Óg Ó Sé commented: “We are thrilled to keep driving forward Páidí’s vision to attract new people to the peninsula every year to play Gaelic football. Clubs are really enthusiastic to be involved and we have planned a great weekend of craic and entertainment for them.

“A special mention is due to Lidl, who are in the seventh year of their partnership with us and who have committed more than €10 million to the development and promotion of ladies Gaelic football since 2016, Kerry County Council's tourism unit and Údarás na Gaeltachta, who are backing us also to continue with the Comórtas as they understand the big benefit in terms of local tourism.

“We are also delighted that fashion retailers EJ Menswear of Sligo, who are related to the Ó Sé family, are again partnering up with us to ensure it will be a weekend to remember.”

Full festival details can be found on www.Paidiose.com.