On Monday morning, the people of Longwood bid a sad farewell to our new friends from Brittany.  

From the moment they arrived on Thursday evening last, the newest members of our GAA family were a breath of fresh air.  Hosting them was an absolute pleasure and we can only hope that our paths cross again in the future.

That we could spend a magical Sunday in Darver (Co Louth) with them and watch them win the Division 11 Shield Final was the cherry on the icing on the cake!

To see these young lads play such fantastic football in both the semi-final (conceding just one point) and the final (holding Moynalvey scoreless) was truly amazing and can only have served to inspire all the young Longwood players in attendance. 

The jubilant scenes at the presentation of the Shield were incrediby emotional.  It's hard to imagine we could have felt greater sense of satisfaction if Longwood had won the trophy.

Our "brothers from Bretagne" had won a special place in our hearts and we were truly delighted for them.

The return bus journey through Longwood was greeted with loud cheers of approval.  

The Brittany players were given a guard of honour by our players, adult and juvenile, as they disembarked from the bus.  That the senior hurlers would make such a generous gesture to our visitors on the evening of a senior championship match, showed real class and was deeply appreciated.

The evening concluded with the Brittany players visiting Athboy to witness their first senior hurling match.  They were delighted to see their adopted heroes from Longwood secure a deserved victory. 

A big thank you to Clann Na nGael, who allowed the Brittany & Longwood players to parade across the pitch at halftime, proudly displaying their newly acquired Féile Shield.

The players received a warm and well deserved round of applause from all in attendance.

We have no doubt that our new friends enjoyed their 4 days in South Meath.  We certainly enjoyed their company.

So to Olivier, Gregory, Tangi, Celine, Charlotte, Noah, Tharek, Killian, Thomas, Erwann, Idwall, Lan, Enzo, Thomas, Ewan, Meriadec, Albin, Benjamin, Mathéo, Joulio, Hervieu, Jawen, Ewenn and Hugo, we say Au Revoir.  You have brightened up our lives for the past few days.  You made Féile 2018 the most enjoyable experience imaginable for us all.  There will always be a warm welcome for you in Longwood.  Who knows, we may reciprocate and pay a visit to Brittany in the future.....................the seed has been sown!