TEAMS FROM 12 Irish counties along with sides from London, Madrid and Belgium are all in action in this weekend’s Páidí Ó Sé tournament.

The West Kerry football festival, sponsored by PhoneWatch, takes place for the 26th time. It was first established by the Kerry legend, who passed away 2012, back in 1989 and there are six grades of competition for mens and ladies teams.

This weekend’s action will feature teams from Kerry, Offaly, Kildare, Cork, Limerick, Tipperary, Down, Westmeath, Cavan, Wicklow, Mayo and Dublin. There are three London sides in action along with representatives from Belgium and Madrid.

Kerry senior footballer Marc Ó Sé

“It is great for the family that the competition is getting stronger and stronger,” remarked Kerry senior Marc Ó Sé.

“Even after Páidí passing away the interest is greater than it ever was. We’re hoping it will be a great tournament. He was a great mentor around the place for me, particularly in the earlier days when things weren’t going good for me and I was having difficulty with maybe consistency. He’d keep at you and tell you to drive on and keep reassuring you.

“He used to love going up the the (All-Ireland) final. He really loved it. He’d have three suits for the Friday the Saturday and the Sunday and he’d have the shoes polished and he’d make a right weekend of it. You’d miss him around that time.

“He’d be ringing you before the game and that and he’d be having a bit of craic with you and be giving you a bit of advice and all of that. You’d certainly miss him before those games.”

Páidí Ó Sé and his nephew Darragh in 2002 INPHO INPHO

The full fixture list for this weekend’s games are:

Senior Men (Sat Gallarus)
1 An Gaeltacht v Tullamore 12.00
2 Defence Forces v Macroom 1.30

Senior Men (Sat Dingle)
3 Monaleen v Aherlow
4 Dingle v Castlewellan

Semi-finals
1 v 4 In Dingle at 4pm
2 v 3 in Gallarus at 4pm

Senior Final Sunday in Gallarus @ 4pm
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Intermediate
1 Annascaul v Ballinagore in Annascaul @ 12
2 Lispole v Eire Og in Lispole @ 1.30
3 Ballymore v St Pats Blennerville in Blennerville @ 12
4 Ballydonoghue v Laragh United in Blennerville @ 1.30

Semi-finals
1 v 4 in Lispole @ 4pm
2 v 3 in Annascaul @ 4pm

Final Sunday in Gallarus @ 1.40
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Junior
Group A
Garryowen v Templenoe in Lispole @ 12
Templenoe v Madrid in Annascaul @ 1.30
Garryowen v Madrid in Blennerville @ 4pm

Group B (All games in Castlegregory)
Castlegregory v Glen Rovers @ 12
Castlegregory v Tara @ 1.30
Tara v Glen Rovers @ 3.30
(Top team in each Group will contest the Final on Sunday in Gallarus @ 12 noon) _________________________________

Marc Ó Sé with his cousins Pádraig Óg and Siun at the launch of this weekend's event.

Ladies Senior
Games in Caherslee, Tralee
Blessington v Corca Dhuibhne @ 1.30
Garrycastle v Rathmore 12 noon @12 noon

Inter Ladies
Games in John Mitchels Ground, Tralee
John Mitchels v Belgium Ladies @ 12noon
Lucan V Burrishoole @ 1.30
Final Sat @ 4pm

Junior Ladies Games in Mercy Mounthawk, Tralee
Dingle v Man O’War @ 12
Causeway v Annascaul @ 1.30
Final Sat @ 4pm

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