TAKING part in Féile na nGael could pay rewards in the future for Derry hurling says county development officer Kevin Hinphey.
Ulster is hosting the national U14 competition, which also features camogie and handball, over the weekend of June 20-22 and nine Derry clubs - Dungiven Kevin Lynch's, Banagher, Coleraine, Na Maigha, Ballinascreen, Lavey, Swatragh, Slaughtneil and Castledawson - are involved.
Hinphey says the exposure to a national competition which allows the nine clubs to tap into the "wider hurling community" will pay dividends for the caman code in the Oak Leaf county.
"They're all getting a shot at it because Ulster is hosting Feile this year," he explained.
"Normally it's only one Derry team that gets a chance to head down the country somewhere, so it's two or three of the stronger clubs that get to go all the time.
"This year the likes of Na Magha and Coleraine and Castledawson, who are starting out, are going to get a chance to experience Feile and that's brilliant from a Derry point of view."
Clubs from every county in Ireland will compete across a minimum of six divisions against host clubs. Feile organisers anticipate that there will be 64 host teams and 64 visiting teams.
"You'll have a club coming from down the country who will come and stay with a Derry club," said Hinphey.
"Sometimes there's a feeling that the further north you go in the country, you're maybe a wee bit isolated from the hurling world.
"This will help clubs and youngsters make the connection with the wider hurling community. The big thing about Feile, as well as the hurling, is the social side of things where clubs make connections and friendships are made.
"With Dungiven, we've been lucky to get away to different parts of the country over the years and those connections will still be there. That's a big part of it and this year all the Ulster clubs taking part will have a chance to make those connections."
Derry played host to the Feile na nOg, the football equivalent of Feile na nGael, last year.
"The players get excited and the clubs make a big deal out of it and make an effort to get their grounds into the best condition possible," said Hinphey.
"It's a good buzz and clubs are getting ready to host the visiting clubs and trying to put their best foot forward for the weekend."
GAA President Liam O'Neill also attended yesterday's Croke Park launch of the Feile competitions.
"This year Feile will operate on national, regional and provincial levels as part of what is a hugely important competition for the GAA and especially for those with a special interest in underage activity," he said.
"Given the massive importance attached to our underage activity the new format for Feile is one we should welcome offering as it does more young footballers with the opportunity to participate in a weekend of fun and action that the players will cherish for many years to come."
He continued: "Sometimes we apply adult values to children's activities and this inevitably leads to the development of a win-at-all costs mentality.
"Such an approach does not lend itself to wholesale inclusive involvement and pressure can be brought to bear on young budding footballers that detract from their enjoyment.
"I am pleased that the new competition structures have the potential to address these pressures and in the process bring the Feile competition to more clubs and crucially more young players."