Cill na Martra nearly ready to host the Comórtas

FOR the first time in nearly 20 years, Cill na Martra will be hosting the Comórtas Peile na Gaeltachta in just over a week's time.

The Muskerry club were due to hold the tournament, which takes place every year on the June bank holiday weekend, in 2022 but Covid-19 scuppered those plans. It’s nearly upon us now and excitement is building in the Gaeltacht village as they will host the Comórtas for the first time since 2005.

Gearóid Ó hÉalaithe known by many as Mr Cill na Martra, is part of the organising committee and he says planning for Comórtas has been going on for the last number of years.

“There’s a rota nationally between all the Gaeltacht clubs so you're always planning. We got the green light at the end of 2021,” Ó hÉalaithe says.

“As we sit here now in the stand looking out, we aren’t quite ready yet. The last hour is always the hardest I suppose but we will get there and we will be ready and we are all looking forward to Comórtas hugely.

“The first part of the plans was to renovate the dressing rooms and everything that goes with that. The next step then was to build a training field as you can see yourself there. Like all clubs, one field, as good as it is, isn’t enough anymore, so that gave us a spur to do the new pitch as well. There’s always small jobs then. In 2005 when he held the Comórtas we built the stand and other improvements on the ground, so this time around it’s the training field as I just mentioned, the concreting around the yard and the three metre track to the gym.” 

It's not just the improvements on the ground that is required to host such a prestigious tournament in this country, there’s also the small matter of getting prepared for TG4, the clubs, and the supporters who will all descend on west Muskerry in their droves.

“In total, there will be 800 players in this year’s Comórtas,” the vastly experienced GAA figure said.

“A huge amount of work has gone in behind the scenes. There’s the arrangement of the marquee, stewarding, parking areas, and other bits. The biggest thing though, and we have an excellent committee working on this, and it’s the accommodation. The music entertainment is also another part and that particular planning has been going on since around the end of January.

“There’s 100 things on. You often see on TV, juggling plates. It’s like juggling 20 plates and they're all in the air and you're trying to develop them all at the same time. It’s going to come together. Time does creep up with you when you’re busy.” 

The Comórtas gives everyone a lift and Cill na Martra are no different especially after winning the PIFC and Munster titles last year. The buzz hasn’t dissipated.

“For those of you who can remember the stations long ago, it’s like that. It’s an event. It’s like having a wedding you could say. The preparations are very similar in lots of ways. There’s goodwill towards this tournament and I would urge anyone who is thinking of intending to come along, you're all welcome.

“The whole parish has been given another huge lift by this not long after our incredible season just gone. We are all excited for the June bank holiday weekend.” 

There will be 25 teams in this year’s Comórtas with some high profile clubs and players participating.

“I would say this, but it will be a great tournament with excellent teams. Dingle are coming as Kerry champions, Wolfe Tones from Meath, winners last year, will be here. Kilcar from Donegal will be here so all the McHugh's will be present. Worse, we will have neighbours in Béal Átha’n Ghaorthaidh who won the Comórtas in 2022. That’s just a flavour, too many to mention but it certainly won't disappoint. We can't wait.” Ó hÉalaithe concluded.