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Thu 29th Apr 2010
Ulster GAA held its second annual Cúchulainn Cup Hurling Tournament
yesterday in the Mid Ulster Sports Arena in Cookstown, with Glengormley
Cúchulainns crowned at 2010 champions after beating Omagh Cúchulainns in the
epic final. The Glengormley team was made up of players from three schools:
Edmund Rice College, Glengormely High, and St Malachy's College.
The event is part of Ulster GAA flagship cross community initiative which
encourages young people from a variety of backgrounds to come together to
participate in Gaelic Games. All of the young people who participated had
little or no previous experience playing hurling.
The aim of the project is to give those who come from non-GAA backgrounds
the opportunity to play Gaelic Games. The project also promotes good
relations between schools, communities and the young people. Now in its
second year the Cúchulainn Cup initiative is developing into a key project
for Ulster GAA.
Speaking at the event in Cookstown, Ulster GAA Treasurer Michael Hasson
stated, “I am very proud to be part of this worthwhile initiative which
brings together young people from different backgrounds in a positive and
enjoyable way. There is no doubt that all involved enjoyed their day, both
participating on the field of play and also through the banter along the
sideline. Not only is this about young people in sport, but it’s also about
building friendships and breaking down barriers.
“This is the second year of Ulster GAA’s Cúchulainn Cup initiative. Last
year we had four cross community schools teams participating, this year we
had eight teams. Also this year, we are running a Cúchulainn Cup Football
Tournament, which is founded on the same vision, and is backed by the Unite
Against Hate campaign.
“I hope that in the years ahead of us, that this important cross community
and cross border initiative continues to grow and develop. I commend all
the schools who have participated in this project, the young players and
their families. I do not under-estimate the sizeable step some families
from non-GAA backgrounds have taken to encourage their children to
participate in Gaelic Games, and I hope that their experience has been
positive and will encourage them to develop their interest in Gaelic Games.”
The teams participating this year were as follows:
Belfast - St Patricks College, Boys Model, Ashfield Boys & Corpus Christie
College
Glengormley - Edmund Rice College, Glengormely High, St Malachy's College
Derry City - St Columbs, Oakgrove Integrated, St Peter's & St Patrick's
Claudy
Limavady - Limavady High School, Limavady Grammar, St Patrick's Dungiven &
St Mary's Limavady
Cavan - Breffni College & Royal School Cavan
Omagh - Omagh CBS, Drumragh Integrated College & Sacred Heart College
Armagh - Royal School, City of Armagh High School, St Brigid's High School &
St Patricks College
Enniskillen - Portora Royal, Erne Integrated College, St Michael's & St
Joseph's High School
Submitted by: Seamus McAleenan
