Gaelic Football Trip - April 2008
So to our most recent venture; our second Gaelic football trip from BGN. This year we went to Stewartstown, Co Tyrone. We flew to Belfast on Sunday 16th March and travelled to Stewartstown Harps Club where we were immediately welcomed and the children left with their host families. The following morning we assembled and took the coach journey down to Dublin. This was a day of huge excitement, Saint Patrick’s Day in Dublin. We spent a little while at the parade, before making our way to the highlight of our day which was Croke Park. In fact, this had to be the highlight of the trip. What an amazing opportunity for these children. Some had still never seen a proper Gaelic match and here it was in front of them at the home of Gaelic football with 30,000 others watching these matches. So many have an interest in hurling, but it is something I cannot really offer them, as I cannot play the game myself, but they were all utterly amazed to watch the fast-paced game live in front of their eyes. Next up was the football and this really did set our pupils alight. They followed every single move of the match and felt every blow for the players. Groups had their preference on who might win and the second half proved a real thriller. So enthralled were they that five minutes from the end a huge scream was heard behind me, I turned around to see one of my boys cheering with all his might as Nemo had got a free!! I don’t think I could ever have imagined how enthralled and enthusiastic they would be about the game, but they were there every step of the way with the two teams. It was a spectacular sight and one I know that they will never forget. Who knows when those children will have the chance, if ever, to visit Croke Park again, but I am sure they will all try to be their again in their lifetime. Eventually we were allowed on to the pitch and took a photo of the 44pupils and staff beside the goalposts….what a moment! One I could only have dreamt of in 2004.
The following day we took a trip to The Giant’s Causeway, all with their O’Neill’s jackets on for easy identification. The people who work there said that they were the nicest group of children they had ever come across. That evening both the boys and girls played matches against Stewartstown Harps. We tried to match them up as evenly as we could in terms of age and skill and although we lost both matches, they weren’t too far apart. There were plenty of people out to watch the match and it was enjoyed by all.
Wednesday morning involved a visit to Saint Joseph’s School Coalisland. This was a real treasure of an experience as the atmosphere that was created was one of participation and fun rather than a real competitiveness. This was recently reported in the Dungannon Observer as “a thoroughly enjoyable experience for all, on a glorious day in March”. Again both boys and girls had the opportunity to experience playing Gaelic football as a team for their school. From there we went to Dungannon where again the shop owner could have funded a small holiday from the amount of O’Neills merchandise purchased there.
Our final night was also a cause for fond reflection. Lots of Stewartstown youngsters had got together to provide entertainment for the night. This included traditional Irish music and Irish dancing. Our pupils were amazed by it and fully supportive of their talents. This would have been something totally new to many of them. Presentations were made with lots of appreciative words and then it was the time for the disco. As I watched this group of youngsters fully intermingled and having fun I marvelled at what an excellent experience this had been for them. No other school trip allows them to mix with people of their own age in this manner and of course it is all down to Gaelic football.
It was an emotional farewell as we waved goodbye to Stewartstown on Thursday 20th March.
There have been many great achievements made at BGN with Gaelic football and there are many more to come I am sure. I look forward to what lies ahead.
Date: 08-05-2008