There will be a feast of football throughout Fermanagh and neighbouring Cavan and Monaghan this weekend with the 2017 John West Féile Peile na nÓg taking place across the trio of counties.

Final preparations are underway for the popular tournament with thousands of players from all over Ireland, Britain and America making the journey for an action-packed weekend of football, making unforgettable memories and life-long friendships along the way.

This year’s competitions will see upwards of 5000 boys and girls making up 252 teams and taking part in 460 games over the three-day event.

19 Fermanagh clubs will host teams from the rest of Ireland and beyond and games will take place throughout the county on Friday and evening and Saturday with Brewster Park, Derrygonnelly and Lisnaskea among those grounds that will hold finals on Sunday.

“It is a massive event with teams coming from all over to take part in it and hopefully people will come out and support the young players as it is a once in a life time opportunity for the tournament to be held in Fermanagh,” said Brian Armitage, Féile Peil na nÓg Provincial Co-Ordinator.

Welcoming the teams, their mentors, families and supporters, Ulster GAA President Michael Hasson said: “No doubt these players are the senior players of the future and I sincerely wish them a pleasant trip to South Ulster. I look forward to three days of constant activity when these juvenile footballers, boys and girls will take centre stage on a National Fixture Calendar. The Féile motive of fun and enjoyment and life-long friendships being formed is an integral part of a successful Féile.”

Chairperson of the Ulster Féile Organising Committee Oliver Galligan added:”I welcome all who come to our Province and sincerely hope that those taking part will enjoy the involvement and enter into the true spirit of Féile by displaying the skills of the game while competing for honours in a sporting and friendly manner.

“We are indebted to all our sponsors and in particular to John West for their continued funding of Féile. My thanks also goes to the members of the organising committees for their dedication to the cause over recent months in assisting with the planning and delivery of this huge event.”