Féile Peile na nÓg 2024

Name: Patrick Campbell
Age: 13
Height: 162cm

What sports do you play?
AFL, swimming, surf club, cross country, surfing, and golf.

What is your proudest achievement in sport?
Winning best and fairest at my footy club last season, and winning multiple state medals in surf lifesaving and cross country.

Where are your parents from?
Both mum and dad are from Dungloe, Co. Donegal.

How did you become involved in Gaelic football, and what do you love about the sport?
Mum and dad got me involved in the junior Gaelic academy a few years ago. I’ve been lucky to be on the junior academy team which took part in the Jim Stynes Tournament on two occasions. We were winners and runners up. I love the fast pace of the game and how it’s like AFL.

What are you most looking forward to about the trip to Ireland and playing in the Féile 2024?
I’m looking forward to representing my country; that is a huge honour. My grandad is a passionate GAA supporter, especially for his own county of Donegal. It will be exciting for my grandparents and Irish family to come and see us play.

Name: Eli Campbell-Foulkes
Age: 14
Height: 174cm

What sports do you play?
Gaelic football, AFL, and basketball.

What is your proudest achievement in sport?
Apart from representing Australia in Gaelic football, it would either be going to Adelaide to play for Western Australia in Gaelic or winning the football premiership for Whitfords AFL last year.

Where are your parents from?
Australia

How did you become involved in Gaelic football, and what do you love about the sport?
I was introduced by my football coach Brian Briscoe a few years ago. I love it because it’s a quick, action-packed game. It’s a unique sport, however it uses skills that I already have through playing AFL.

What are you most looking forward to about the trip to Ireland and playing in the Féile 2024?
Playing against the Irish. I want to see how they play and how we match up. I am also excited to experience the Irish culture and their way of living and exploring their amazing country.

Name: Mossy Carberry
Age: 14
Height: 160cm

What sports do you play?
I play AFL for Marist JFC and Cricket for Subiaco Marist CC.

What is your proudest achievement in sport?
Probably winning the Jim Stynes Memorial Cup in 2020 with Marist. It was a hybrid rules game of AFL and Gaelic football. We were not expected to win. It was huge.

Where are your parents from?
My mum is from Perth, and my dad is from Dublin.

How did you become involved in Gaelic football and what do you love about the sport?
My first time playing anything like Gaelic football was the Jim Stynes Memorial Cup in 2020. We played again in 2021. Training for the Féile is my first time playing ‘real’ Gaelic football.

What are you most looking forward to about the trip to Ireland and playing in Féile 2024?
I am looking forward to visiting parts of Ireland I have never been to before, and visiting my Granny and family in Ireland. I can’t wait to play against the club teams from Ireland, and representing Australia is a dream come true.

Name: Theo Constantine
Age: 14
Height: 170cm

What sports do you play?
Gaelic football, AFL, and basketball.

What is your proudest achievement in sport?
Winning the Jim Stynes Cup in 2020.

Where are your parents from?
Both are Australian born with Greek, Croatian and Dutch heritage.

How did you become involved in Gaelic football and what do you love about the sport?
I was chosen to play in the Jim Stynes Competition representing Marist JFC. I love the speed and intensity of Gaelic football.

What are you most looking forward to about the trip to Ireland and playing in the Féile 2024?
I am most looking forward to playing against the Irish-born Gaelic players, and excited to see if we can match up to their talent. I also look forward to seeing some of Ireland.

Name: Riley De Villiers
Age: 14
Height: 171cm

What sports do you play?
Gaelic football, AFL, and athletics.

What is your proudest achievement in sport?

• Winning the grand final in Adelaide against Victoria in Gaelic football
• Winning the grand final in 2023 with my junior AFL team.
• Making state level in athletics.

Where are your parents from?
Dad was born in Cape Town, South Africa, and mum is Australian.

How did you become involved in Gaelic football, and what do you love about the sport?
My AFL club created a team for the Jim Stynes Cup about five years ago and I joined that team. Since then, I have played each year.

What are you most looking forward to about the trip to Ireland and playing the Féile 2024?
I have never travelled that distance overseas, so I am looking forward to playing against Irish teams and also seeing a few new countries with my mum and brother.

Name: Jackson Devitt
Age: 11
Height: 155cm

What sports do you play?
Basketball, GAA, AFL, swimming squad, kids triathlons.

What is your proudest achievement in sport?
Being part of the Australasia Gaelic football team team.

Where are your parents from?
Melbourne, Australia.

How did you become involved in Gaelic football, and what do you love about the sport?
My mum. She had a hurley and l loved to play with it. So, l started to play both hurling and Gaelic football for Young Melbourne. I love playing with my mates and making new friends.

What are you most looking forward to about the trip to Ireland and playing in the Féile 2024?
Making new friends and seeing lots of new places on the other side of the world.

Name: Conan Gilligan
Age: 14
Height: 162cm

What sports do you play?
Gaelic football, ultimate frisbee, badminton and hockey.

What is your proudest achievement in sport?
Last year, I travelled to Adelaide in South Australia to play Gaelic football and represent Western Australia. Our Western Australia team played against teams from Victoria and South Australia. This was a great achievement for me to be part of this team.

Where are your parents from?
My family members are all Irish Australians. Both of my parents are from Co. Galway. My mum is from Garrafrauns and my dad is from Kilkerrin. They immigrated to Perth 11 years ago.

How did you become involved in Gaelic football, and what do you love about the sport?
I play Gaelic football at home with my dad and brother. I have played with the Western Australia junior Gaelic academy in Perth since I was in primary school. I also participated in training sessions and played in a local competition: the Jim Stynes Cup. I love that the game is fast-paced as I like to run. I also like the skills that I learn in Gaelic football, such as soloing the ball and picking it up with my foot, as these are not used in other sports.

What are you most looking forward to about the trip to Ireland and playing in Féile 2024?
I am looking forward to representing Australia in Ireland. I am also looking forward to the Féile competition itself, visiting new parts of Ireland that I may not have visited before, and competing against other Irish Gaelic football teams. I am also looking forward to playing against Irish players and spending time with my teammates in Ireland.

Name: Davin Gilligan
Age: 12
Height: 150cm

What sports do you play?
Gaelic football, soccer, basketball, and hockey.

What is your proudest achievement in sport?
I played in the grand final for my Craigie indoor soccer team in 2023. I also played in the U12 grand final for my hockey club in 2023.

Where are your parents from?
My family members are all Irish Australians. Both of my parents are from Co. Galway. My mum is from Garrafrauns and my dad is from Kilkerrin. They immigrated to Perth 11 years ago.

How did you become involved in Gaelic football, and what do you love about the sport?
I have played Gaelic football with my dad and brother at home for years, and have played for junior Gaelic academy in Perth for the past two years. When I visited Ireland in June/July 2022, I got to see lots of Gaelic games, including Galway winning the All-Ireland semi-final, and playing Kerry in the All-Ireland final. I love the skills that I get to learn and improve with Gaelic football, and being able to take great big kicks over the bar.

What are you most looking forward to about the trip to Ireland and playing in Féile 2024?
I am looking forward to representing Australia in Ireland, and getting to play Gaelic football against some Irish boys; maybe even some of my cousins in Ireland. I am also looking forward to watching some live hurling and football matches, and eating some great Irish food. I have never been to Croke Park, and I would love to visit and watch a game being played there in June.

What sports do you play?
I do kickboxing, ride my bike and play Gaelic football.

What is your proudest achievement in sport?
I’ve been competing in many sports in my life and now I get to play for my country, so this has to be the biggest one so far.

Where are your parents from?
My dad is from Ireland and my mum is from Australia.

How did you become involved in Gaelic football, and what do you love about the sport?
I became involved through my dad. He loves the sport and wanted me to play. I love how quickly everything happens in a game.

What are you most looking forward to about the trip to Ireland and playing in Féile 2024?
I’m looking forward to going to a different country and meeting family, and I’m excited to see how the good the people in Ireland are.

Name: Kade Kelly-Lewis
Age: 13
Height: 160cm

What sports do you play?
Football, athletics, and Gaelic football.

What is your proudest achievement in sport?
Representing Western Australia playing Gaelic football in Adelaide in 2023.

Where are your parents from?
Mum is from the UK and Dad is from Australia.

How did you become involved in Gaelic football, and what do you love about the sport?
A friend’s team were short a player for the Jim Stynes Cup and asked if I was interested in playing.

What are you most looking forward to about the trip to Ireland and playing in Féile 2024?
Experiencing playing sport in another country, and playing against teams that have grown up with the sport and where it originated from.

Name: Kieran Lydon
Age: 13
Height: 158cm

What sports do you play?
Gaelic football, basketball, AFL, and golf.

What is your proudest achievement in sport?

• Representing Western Australia in the 2023 Adelaide Féile.
• 2023 year 7 grand final appearance.
• Winning basketball grand final.

Where are your parents from?
Dad’s from Galway and mum’s from Sydney.

How did you become involved in Gaelic football, and what do you love about the sport?
On a visit to Ireland, my cousins introduced me to Gaelic football. I love that it has given me the opportunity to meet more people from outside my other sporting and school groups.

What are you most looking forward to on the trip to Ireland and playing in Féile 2024?
Having fun and meeting new people while getting the chance to represent Australia, and getting to watch a game in Croke Park.

Name: Liam McCarthy
Age: 13
Height: 169cm

What sports do you play?
AFL, Gaelic football, and Little Athletics.

What is your proudest achievement in sport?
Getting 12.99 seconds in 100m sprint for Little Athletics.

Where are your parents from?
Both parents are from Australia. My great grandparents on my dad’s side were both Irish.

How did you become involved in Gaelic football, and what do you love about the sport?
My friend Evan played and I wanted to do something once the AFL season finished. I like it because it’s a round ball as well.

What are you most looking forward to about the trip to Ireland and playing in Féile 2024?
Playing against other nations and playing for Australia.

Name: Evan McCormack
Age: 14
Height: 181cm

What sports do you play?
Gaelic football, and I play AFL for Warwick Greenwood.

What is your proudest achievement in sport?
My proudest achievement is that I won runner-up best and fairest, and players’ player for my team in 2023.

Where are your parents from?
Both of my parents are from Galway. I lived in Galway until I was eight years old.

How did you become involved in Gaelic football, and what do you love about the sport?
I joined the junior academy when I moved to Perth, and I love how fit and how much work you have to put in to be good at this sport.

What are you most looking forward to about the trip to Ireland and playing in Féile 2024?
I am mostly looking forward to going to Ireland to play internationally, representing Australia and making everyone proud. I am excited to see my family and friends.

Name: Dillon McDaid
Age: 14
Height: 170cm

What sports do you play?
Basketball, AFL, and Gaelic football.

What is your proudest achievement in sport?
Winning an Australian medal with the Western Australia state Gaelic football team in 2023.

Where are your parents from?
Donegal and Derry.

How did you become involved in Gaelic football, and what do you love about the sport?
My friend in Ireland introduced me when I returned to live there. I was eight years old. I love the speed of the game and the toe to hand when I run.

What are you most looking forward to about the trip to Ireland and playing in the Féile 2024?
Getting to play with the team again, meeting the new lads, and spending more time with them so I get to know them better, and so we develop our skills together.

I’m also looking forward to watching the Irish boys playing the game because I know they will be very skilled and excellent to watch, especially if they are all coming from division 1 teams. I might learn something!

I’m also going a week early to watch the Donegal rally, which is very dear to my heart as my dad competes (but not this year). I’m a big fan of the rally and all the drifting competitions.

Can’t forget my Irish granny, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. It will be nice to see them all again.

Name: Patrick (Paddy) McGroarty
Age: 15
Height: 177cm

What sports do you play?
AFL, basketball, and Gaelic football during the summer.

What is your proudest achievement in sport?
2023 U15 leading goalkicker in the Southern Football League

Where are your parents from?
Father is from Donegal and mum is South Australian

How did you become involved in Gaelic football, and what do you love about the sport?
My dad played it in Ireland and my Australian-born uncle Ciarán was selected 10 times for the Australasia Gaelic football team in his career from minors through to seniors, also getting to represent Australasia in Ireland. I love the fast pace and how the skills are transferable to AFL and basketball.

What are you most looking forward to about the trip to Ireland and playing in Féile 2024?
Playing with other lads who love the sport against players in Ireland, and seeing their skills. I think it will be a really memorable experience.

Name: Remi Merenda
Age: 13
Height: 181cm

What sports do you play?
AFL, cricket, and basketball

What is your proudest achievement in sport?
My AFL team Marist won the premiership last year in a very close game against a team we had previously defeated us. I have played with most of my teammates for six years.

Where are your parents from?
My dad is Australian and my mum is from Argentina. She grew up in the Netherlands where I was born.

How did you become involved in Gaelic football, and what do you love about the sport?
I was invited to represent Marist at the Jim Stynes Gaelic Football Carnival in Joondalup. In my second year we won the competition and I got to have a photo with the biggest trophy I’ve ever seen. I love the skills of juggling the ball on your feet and deciding whether to go over or under.

What are you most looking forward to about the trip to Ireland and playing in the Féile 2024?
I have never been to Ireland, so I am very excited to see a new country. I would love to see a Gaelic football or hurling match live in Croke Park. I also want to see the island where Star Wars was filmed.

Name: Zachary O’Reilly
Age: 11
Height: 135cm

What sports do you play?
Gymnastics, Gaelic football, hurling, AFL, and swimming.

What is your proudest achievement in sport?

• 2019 Victoria state champion in men’s artistic gymnastics.
• 2023 – part of the U12 winning team at the Féile in Adelaide.
• 2023 – played in an AFL grand final.

Where are your parents from?
Dad is from Tipperary Town, Co. Tipperary. Mam is from Melbourne, Australia.

How did you become involved in Gaelic football, and what do you love about the sport?
My dad is coach of Young Melbourne GAA Club and a member of Young Melbourne and Padraig Pearse’s GAA. He is also a referee for Gaelic Games Victoria. I have a passion for Gaelic football and I enjoy how the game is played. I can see the value in transferring my footy skills to the Gaelic pitch and vice versa.

What are you most looking forward to about the trip to Ireland, and playing in Féile 2024?
Meeting the entire team and representing Australia. I am also looking forward to seeing my grandparents, relatives, and friends in Ireland. My grandad is excited to see me play in the Féile.

Name: Tadgh Scanlan
Age: 14
Height: 168cm

What sports do you play?
I play AFL, basketball, golf, soccer, and Gaelic football.

What is your proudest achievement in sport?
My proudest achievement is getting runner-up best and fairest in AFL.

Where are your parents from?
Both of my parents are from Skerries, Dublin, Ireland.

How did you become involved in Gaelic football, and what do you love about the sport?
I have played a bit of Gaelic through my Irish family always having a Gaelic football around. I love how fast the game is, and that there’s not too many breaks during the game, and not many stoppages.

What are you most looking forward to about the trip to Ireland and playing in Féile 2024?
I’m most looking forward to playing against Irish teams in Ireland and representing Australia.

Name: Ryan Walsh
Age: 14
Height: 177cm

What sports do you play?
AFL, basketball, Gaelic football, and surfing.

What is your proudest achievement in sport?
Winning the Jim Stynes Cup in 2020.

Where are your parents from?
Both my parents are Australian. My grandparents are from Dublin.

How did you become involved in Gaelic football, and what do you love about the sport?
I was invited to represent Newman College at the Jim Stynes Cup in 2020. I really enjoyed the speed of the contest and the constant movement of the ball means you have to be on your game at all times.

What are you most looking forward to about the trip to Ireland and playing in Féile 2024?
I am very proud to represent Australia in the Féile 2024 and I’m most looking forward to meeting new teams while playing the game in its home in Ireland.

Where are you from in Ireland?
Dublin

When did you come to Australia?
1999

What are you looking forward to most with the Féile 2024?
I still recall my Féile in 1990 with such fond memories. I am so excited about our squad of boys making the same life-long memories for themselves.

Where are you from in Ireland?
Dublin

When did you come to Australia?
2000

What are you looking forward to most with the Féile 2024?
Watching our lads experience playing Gaelic football against some of the best in their age group in Ireland. Watching how all their hard work and effort at training transfers onto the pitch whilst playing in the Féile will be a proud moment. Also looking forward to seeing family and friends.

Where are you from in Ireland?
Tipperary Town, Co. Tipperary.

When did you come to Australia?
2013

What are you looking forward to most with the Féile 2024?
I am looking forward to seeing the pride on the faces of all the boys (and their families) representing Australia, in my home country, competing in the game I grew up playing.

Where are you from in Ireland?
A place called Miltown, St Joseph in County Clare

When did you come to Australia?
I came to Australia in 2001 – 23 years ago.

What are you looking forward to most with the Féile 2024?
I am looking forward to seeing the boys experience playing GAA in Ireland.