Pictures: Aghabullogue GAA teams visit local school following hurling and football success

“Keep at it, remain determined, persevere and stay involved in the club.” 

That was the message from players and mentors from the Aghabullogue GAA teams during recent visits to Aghabullogue National School following the club’s mighty double win.

Aghabullogue won the Co-Op SuperStores IAHC when they defeated Midleton’s second string by a point, which was followed two weeks later by capturing the Bon Secours Hospital IAFC title after beating Mitchelstown by a single point.

Most recently Aghabullogue NS had a visit from the victorious local footballers.

“The players were describing their experiences to the children and the captain, Paul Ring, made a speech to then which was lovely and the manager, Robert O’Keeffe, spoke to them as well.

“The players spent a bit of time signing jerseys and listening to the children’s chants and chatting to the children about the club and that kind of thing,” school principal, Michael Mather, told The Echo.

“We had a lovely time. We were delighted that the players, that the managers, took time out of their day to make it up to us and we were able to make it a special occasion as well, so we really enjoyed it.

“The club is very involved in the school. We have coaches who come up so it was nice to be able to share the celebrations.”

Mr Mather said pupils were “delighted to be able to see their heroes up close in the school setting”.

“And what was lovely, we were able to pass around the photos of the Sciath na Scol team from about 20 years ago. 

“Paul Ring, the captain, was in the photos and they were able to maybe see themselves in the players of the future when they look at them through that kind of a lens, so it was lovely.

“The teachers were a little bit put out that they got a second week of homework off! There’s been fierce disruption in the academics in Aghabullogue National School over the past fortnight,” he joked.

The school was also visited by the victorious hurlers following their big win. “It feels like we’ve been having a green and white day nearly every second day with the finals and the celebrations with the hurling and the football,” Mr Mather said.

“The children made a great effort to don themselves and it was a community effort really because members of the community came along to help decorate the school in green and white. It’s a tight-knit community and they do everything together in a way.”

Participation, determination and perseverance were the main messages the winning GAA players bestowed upon the pupils. 

“For all of those players really, they hadn’t won a county medal at adult level because it hasn’t happened for Aghabullogue in recent history. 

“The message was to keep at it, remain determined, persevere and stay involved in the club,” Mr Mather said.