‘I love it when a plan comes together’ is one of the most famous quotes from the classic series The A-Team. And had B.A. or Murdock been in Templemore last Sunday for the visit of the Tipperary and Offaly senior hurling teams, I’m certain those immortal words would have surfaced!
St. Colmcille’s had been given the opportunity to host Tipperary’s first senior hurling match of 2016 as a fundraising event for the school and they certainly took full advantage of the chance to promote the school and raise much needed funds. But just as The A-Team worked together, this too was a massive team effort involving the whole community.
There was little time to waste as the school had a mere two weeks to prepare for the game. Media gurus Mr. Kelly and Mr. Doyle were first off the mark as they bombarded Facebook, Twitter, Tipp Fm and local papers to promote the event. Mass goers were greeted by flyers on their cars in every parish from Drom to Moyne, Borris-Ileigh to Moneygall as parents and staff ensured that nobody was left unaware of the big day.
The generosity of the J.K. Brackens club could only be described as immense. Considering the woeful weather of recent weeks, it’s to the credit of the whole club that the pitch was available and able to cater for an inter-county match. Members of the club did everything in their power to assist in the organisation of the day from lining the pitch to stewarding to picking up litter. The strong links between primary schools and GAA clubs around the country is crucial to the development and promotion of our national games, and this bond was never more evident than last Sunday in Templemore.
Adding to the occasion and atmosphere were the Templemore Pipe Band who entertained the crowd prior to throw in. Under the guidance of Joe Barry, four members filled the air with the distinctive battle sound of bagpipes, as the faithful men from Offaly lined out opposite our stars from the Premier County. An attendance of around 1500 stood to sing the National Anthem and within minutes the new hurling season had begun, expectations and predictions being muted from young and old alike.
Having endured the wettest December on record, it was with utter delight that spectators basked in the winter sunshine, while Tipperary notched up a half time lead of five points. Next it was the boys from St. Colmcille’s moment to shine. Their moment to play the game they love on the same pitch as their heroes. Sixty pupils under the guidance of past pupils and wearing the green of St. Colmcille’s or the black and white of JK Brackens, played two exhibition games while hoping that Eamonn Kelly and Michael Ryan would stay talking for as long as possible. Alas their time came to an end as the giants of the game burst from the dressing rooms. ‘Short but sweet’, one of the boys would later comment.
The second half of the senior match saw some new faces but little change in the scoreboard. Tipperary maintaining a six point advantage to the end. Both managers reported to Irish TV afterwards of their satisfaction at the days work and their appreciation for a worthwhile game. Back at the school, a meitheal of members of the Parents’ Association were busily preparing to feed the hungry. Both panels returned to the school hall and enjoyed a well earned feast while the pupils stared in awe as their heroes wandered through their school.
As players signed autographs and Irish TV completed their interviews with pupils and staff, a feeling of accomplishment and satisfaction descended on all those who had worked so tirelessly to ensure the day was a success. Members of the Parents’ Association, members of the school staff, JK Brackens club and the pupils can be extremely proud of their efforts which, raised over €9400 for the school. This money will ensure St. Colmcille’s can continue to provide a first class education for its pupils. New resources for Science and PE, dance classes, laptops, library books, music equipment and much more, has and will be purchased with funds raised.
A great day for the school, the community and the pupils will live long in the memory of those present.