The final whistle has blown on the 2026 Stephen O'Keeffe Festival of Hurling, bringing to an end three memorable days in Clarecastle.

We were delighted to finish the weekend by lifting both the A and B cups, but if the last 3 days reminded us of anything, it's that this festival has always been about much more than results. Year after year, it brings together youngsters from Clarecastle, @roanmoreclg and @cuchulainnhurling to hurl, make friends and create memories that will last long after the medals have been put away.

Congratulations to Culainn Leyden on winning the Skills Competition, and to each of the players recognised as their club's Player of the Tournament. Well deserved.

Behind every game, every meal, every activity and every smiling face was an army of volunteers. Whether you helped with food service, organised the water activity, ran goalkeeping and ball wall sessions, organised the skills competition, prepared the booklet, got the pitches ready, hung the flags and bunting, helped with umpiring & stewarding or simply stepped in whenever something needed doing, thank you. 

Sincere thanks also go to Pat and our SOK Committee, whose planning, organisation and attention to detail over many months laid the foundations for another super festival.

Thank you to Ciarán Kelly for documenting the weekend so beautifully, capturing so many moments that might otherwise have passed by unnoticed and have left us with a wonderful record of the festival.

Our thanks also go to Colm and his mgmt team, and to the mgmt teams from Roanmore and Cuchulainns, for the time, energy and care they gave to the boys throughout the weekend.

We're also fortunate to have a club that so many people take enormous pride in. To our field manager and those who care for our pitches and facilities throughout the year, thank you for helping make Clarecastle a place we are incredibly proud to call home.

Finally, to every player who pulled on a jersey over the weekend, thank you. We hope you head home with tired legs, new friends, plenty of stories to tell and memories that will last forever. 

We look forward to doing it all again in 2027. 

🖤🤍💛🤍💙🤍