All-Ireland winner and Kerry All-Star Brian Ó Beaglaoich and Kerry midfielder Caoimhe Evans have officially launched the Lidl Comórtas Peile Páidí Ó Sé 2026 at Dooneen Pier this morning, with Smerwick Harbour and the Three Sisters providing a striking West Kerry backdrop to the announcement.
Now in its 37th year, the famed men’s and women’s club Gaelic football tournament will once again take over pitches across the Dingle Peninsula from 20–22 February, blending early-season competitive football with the social traditions that have made the Comórtas a staple of the club calendar since its foundation in 1989 by eight-time All-Ireland winner Páidí Ó Sé.
A total of 13 counties from all four provinces will be represented at the 2026 edition, with 20 adult men’s and women’s club teams travelling to West Kerry for a weekend that combines on-field action with off-field gatherings. As ever, Comórtas HQ at Páidí Ó Sé’s pub in Ventry will be at the heart of the festival atmosphere, with live music from popular Irish band Super Céilí among the highlights of the social programme.
The Comórtas continues to enjoy strong backing from title sponsor Lidl Ireland & Northern Ireland, alongside support from EJ Menswear, Kerry County Council Tourism Unit, Fáilte Ireland and Údarás na Gaeltachta.
Since its inception, the tournament has welcomed more than 23,000 club players, mentors and supporters to the peninsula, underlining its long-standing contribution to the local winter tourism economy.
Welcoming teams back to West Kerry, Comórtas Chairman Pádraig Óg Ó Sé said the weekend had become an important marker for clubs preparing for the season ahead.
“We welcome our players once again to West Kerry for the Comórtas,” he said. “About 500 players, along with mentors and supporters, are in full planning mode to kick off their season with a weekend away, and we are ready with social events and plenty of craic around Comórtas HQ at Páidí Ó Sé’s pub. Football lovers can also expect some great competitive matches over the weekend.”
He also highlighted the role of long-term partners in sustaining the tournament’s original vision.
“We thank our title sponsor Lidl, who are a key driver of the growth of Ladies Gaelic Games in Ireland through their LGFA sponsorship for over a decade,” he said. “They contribute every year to the vision my father had, which was to promote the club game and to attract people to the beautiful Dingle Peninsula.”
Ó Sé added that local and national agencies continue to recognise the wider value of the event. “A special mention to Kerry County Council Tourism Unit and Údarás na Gaeltachta, who understand the benefit in terms of local tourism. We are also delighted that EJ Menswear of Sligo, who are related to the Ó Sé family, are again partnering with us to help ensure it will be a weekend to remember.”
“As a long-standing supporter of the Ladies Gaelic Football Association, we are delighted to continue our sponsorship of the Comórtas Peile Páidí Ó Sé for a ninth year,” added Jenny Kelly, Head of Brand Partnerships at Lidl Ireland & Northern Ireland.
“This is a premier event in the fixtures calendar, and we’re looking forward to another year of outstanding skill, performance and team spirit.”
“Having launched our new ‘Greatness Deserves to be Seen’ campaign with the LGFA last week, we’re proud to once again put our weight behind this event, and we hope to see record crowds.”
Launching the tournament, Kerry All-Star Brian Ó Beaglaoich reflected on the importance of the club environment.
“The club is a different feeling from your county,” he said. “Occasions when you get together ahead of the season with your club mates in a social setting stand to you when you’re competing on the pitch. We saw that ourselves with An Ghaeltacht last year – it binds you together. I wish all the clubs making the trip the very best for the weekend.”
Image Credit: Lidl Comortas
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