Club ties fuel Scoil Mhuire gan Smál's rise

Scoil Mhuire gan Smál in Blarney has paid tribute to three local GAA clubs whose support has helped deepen the school’s coaching structures and broaden the sporting experience available to its students. 

Blarney, Grenagh and Whitechurch have all contributed in recent years, offering facilities, coaching assistance and a shared commitment to player development that is already reflected in strong results at colleges level.

The school says the cooperation between clubs who regularly compete against one another is a story worth highlighting.

Whitechurch GAA has been one of the driving forces behind the initiative. Juvenile Chairperson Paddy Lane says the club’s financial support of the coaching programme is already producing clear benefits for its own underage players attending SMGS.

“As Juvenile Chairperson of Whitechurch GAA Club, I would like to acknowledge the significant benefits that have arisen from our club’s ongoing financial support of the GAA coaching programme at Blarney SMGS,” he says. 

“Many Whitechurch GAA juvenile club members attend Blarney SMGS and benefit directly from the coaching delivered during the school day.” 

Grenagh GAA has also welcomed the initiative. Underage Chairman Kevin Morley says the additional coaching provided to students will help both the school and the clubs connected to it.

“We would like to commend SMGS on their initiative to improve the standard of pupil and player through this additional coaching,” he said.

“Given the relatively short window for boys as they go through their post‑primary school life, it will be hoped to help SMGS directly in the short to medium term.

"In the medium to long term, it will no doubt be of great benefit to not only Grenagh GAA but all other clubs who have players attending SMGS. 

"We in Grenagh GAA, both adult and juvenile clubs, are delighted to be in a position to contribute towards the development of players from our club who attend SMGS.” 

Within SMGS, teachers continue to carry out most of the coaching voluntarily. Teacher Colm Kiely says the support of the three clubs has allowed the school to maintain a consistent standard of training throughout the year.

“We are delighted with the support that Blarney, Grenagh and Whitechurch GAA have given to the school in recent years,” he says. 

“The vast majority of our coaching is still done by teachers voluntarily during the week. The schools coach helps us towards our goal of providing consistent high‑quality hurling, football and athletic coaching from September to May.

“At such a crucial stage in these players’ development, we hope they return to their clubs better players and as a result will enjoy Gaelic games to their fullest.” 

Games Development Co‑ordinator Gavin Webb says the initiative has also been strongly supported at county level. 

“As the Games Development Co‑ordinator in the East Muskerry Region of Cork, one of the first initiatives I backed 100 percent was the club–school link in SMGS Blarney. 

“This initiative was thought of and driven by the clubs, and it was a no‑brainer from my perspective.

“This initiative has already seen huge benefits in the school with large numbers regularly training, especially at the U14, U15 and U16 age groups."