Star Limerick hurler gives lessons on and off the GAA pitch
Crecora’s Cathal O’Neill starts teaching job in Croom the day after graduating from University of Limerick
IF LIMERICK hurler Cathal O’Neill’s classes are half as good as the lesson in forward play he gave in the All-Ireland final then he has a very successful teaching career ahead of him.
The 24-year-old started a new job in Coláiste Chiaráin the day after graduating with a BSc in Physical Education with Irish from University of Limerick (UL).
“I’m teaching PE and Irish with full 22 hours so I’m delighted with that. I did my last placement there and I loved it so I’m very excited to go back now as an actual teacher,” said Mr O’Neill, as he is known to his students.
He is ready to pass on the same enthusiasm that inspired him as a student in Scoil Naomh Iósaf in Adare, Ardscoil Rís and UL.
A native of Crecora, Cathal became involved in GAA both through his local club Crecora-Manister and his primary school Scoil Naomh Iósaf in Adare, where he was taught by former Limerick hurler Stephen Lavin.
"Scoil Naomh Iósaf had a profound impact on me with regards to hurling. The school is steeped in GAA tradition and the teachers there had a massive enthusiasm for sport."
One of his teachers in Adare was former Limerick hurler Stephen Lavin, who was playing for his county at the time.
He provided the young Cathal with an early connection between his interest in sport, the Irish language and teaching.
"I also got a real passion for Gaeilge in primary school. Stephen Lavin, in particular, had a real impact on me with regards to Irish and teaching.
"My grá for the language grew even more when I went to Ardscoil Rís secondary school where I had some fantastic teachers too."
Cathal is grateful to those who supported him from his club, school and college on his sporting and educational journey.
"In UL, I have to give special mention to the UL Sports Scholarship Academy and UL GAA, especially Jason Coffey, Adrian Murphy, Fr John Campion and John Linehan. They were a constant helping hand and I hope to keep in contact with them for a long time.
"And then without a shadow of a doubt my parents have had the biggest impact. Whether it was bringing me to training or matches, taking me out of school to watch Harty Cup games or Fitzgibbon Cup games or buying hurleys for me, the list goes on and I owe a great deal to them."
2026 will go down as a halcyon year for Cathal as he won Fitzgibbon, league, Munster and All-Ireland medals as well as finishing his degree and starting his teaching career.
However, the highlight will be hitting 1-4 in the All-Ireland final earning him the Man of the Match award for being a class above.