PICTURES: Limerick school reaches All-Ireland finals in fields of play and fashion

LIMERICK’S hurlers won three All-Irelands in three years but one county school is going for three national titles in just weeks!

Scoi Mhuire agus Íde's U19 hurlers play Boyne CS in the All-Ireland Post Primary Schools Michael Cusack Cup Final this Friday.

Michelle Thompson, principal of the Newcastle West school, said it is the first All-Ireland final in the school’s history.

“It is a significant achievement for GAA development in the school. It’s validation for all the hard work that has gone into this panel of players over the past three years.

"What an achievement it is to get to an All-Ireland hurling final so the players and management have already created their own piece of history!” said Michelle, who adds that there is great excitement building towards Friday. 

“We will have a large cohort of students and teachers travelling to support our senior hurling team. The student council have done player profiles which can be viewed on Instagram and have decorated the school with flags and bunting so there is definitely a buzz around the school this week.

"Adding to the buzz, of course, is the fact that our Junior Ladies footballers have also qualified for an All-Ireland Final next week!” said Ms Thompson.

The girls defeated Ballyhaunis CS  last Friday.

Students are excelling not only on the fields of play but also in the field of fashion. 

Three talented students successfully secured their place in the prestigious All-Ireland final of the Junk Kouture competition. Isabelle and Olivia O’Brien and Gracie O’Doherty earned a coveted spot among the nation’s top young designers.

Ciara Brosnan, supporting teacher in the Junk Kouture, also manages the ladies footballers, assisted by Evan Murphy, said Michelle. 

Returning to the senior hurling team, who play this Friday, Michelle said she could not ask for a finer group of lads to be representing Scoil Mhuire agus Íde. 

“They are a really honest bunch and they work so hard for each other and for the team. They have given this campaign their all and it is not just the starting team I am talking about here. We have a panel of over 40 players training and it is the competition for places and the in house training matches that have brought the starting team to the level they are at,” said Michelle.

When she became principal three years ago, she met with the hurling coaches in the school and discussed how best they could promote hurling and GAA in the school. 

“I approached the West Board GAA and they were extremely generous with a financial contribution that allowed me to purchase strength and conditioning equipment and to finance a gym programme after school for GAA players. 

“The County Board has also contributed towards the gym programme and training equipment and David O’Dea is involved as a development officer with our first years and is providing great support and guidance to the coaches involved. 

“We also designed gear with the school crest so that teams leaving to represent the school would be presented in a professional manner. All GAA teams in the school train on a regular basis after school and our current senior hurling All-Ireland finalists have been training since August including mid-term and school holidays which again is a new approach under the current management.”

Michelle said the success of this team is a result of many factors. 

“You cannot have a vision without people who are capable of implementing it. I am very fortunate to have Jer Moroney and Kevin O'Brien who lead the management structure supporting this team.

"They have been central to what has already been achieved with their professionalism and commitment and the huge respect that the players have for them. They demand the best from their group of players and the players have delivered which is testament to their talent and commitment also.”

Michelle will also be a proud mum on Friday as son Gavin will be togging out. In a nice coincidence, dad - Bruff-based Garda Inspector Gearoid Thompson - is a former student of their opponents Boyne CS and won Gaelic Football Leinster titles in his schooldays. However, there will be no divided loyalties on Friday!

Regardless of the result, this All-Ireland final appearance means that great progress has been made, said Michelle. 

“Friday will be a brilliant occasion for the players, the management team and the school as a whole. All-Ireland finals don't come around too often so I hope that the boys and all involved enjoy the occasion and hopefully we will be there or thereabouts at the final whistle!”

And it could be the first of three All-Irelands for Scoi Mhuire agus Íde students!

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