Cúchulainn Cup ‘A Major Success’

Ulster GAA today hosted a very special hurling tournament at the Mid Ulster Arena in Cookstown where Year 11 students from schools across Armagh, Belfast, Fermanagh and Limavady competed for the new Cúchulainn Cup.

The tournament was organised as part of Ulster GAA’s Community Outreach initiative and brought together boys from 16 schools to compete as four teams.  All players had no previous experience of playing hurling but were given eight weeks of essential training by Ulster GAA Coaches to prepare them for today’s tournament.

Fermanagh Cúchulainns were victors of the hard fought competition.

Speaking from the Mid Ulster Sports Arena, Ulster GAA Vice President Aogan Farrell said, “I commend all 16 schools and all students who have participated in this new and exciting tournament.

“All players gave 100% effort and showed tremendous hunger for the competition.  All teams played exceptionally well, showing a good understanding and deployment of hurling skills.

“The importance of teamwork and respect was also very much apparent throughout the tournament and I hope that the boys who participated will continue to be involved in Gaelic Games and will continue to develop the friendships they have made through this competition.

“I congratulate Fermanagh Cúchulainns, hailing from St. Michael’s Enniskillen, Portora Royal, St. Joseph’s College and Erne Integrated College – they will now go down in GAA history as the first team to win the Cúchulainn Cup and will hopefully inspire many more cross community teams to get involved in the competition.”

Armagh All Ireland Medallist Diarmaid Marsden coordinated the event as Ulster GAA Regional Development Officer, speaking after the competition he said, “I have been out on the field with some of the players since February and have seen the commitment that these boys have given to this competition and their desire to work with other students from schools in their area.  Today’s tournament is a great credit to all the boys, their families and their schools.  All those who participated in this competition had no prior experience of playing hurling, for many they had no prior involvement in Gaelic Games, so this tournament was really something special.  I hope that all the players will now be encouraged to develop their skills and interest in the GAA.

“This is the first year of the Cúchulainn Cup and I hope it will be the first of many more to come.”

Danny Murphy Provincial Director Ulster GAA looks forward to the competition expanding in 2010. “We had 16 schools participating in this the first ever Cúchulainn Cup I am confident that we can now expand the programme to include teams from other areasI would also like to express my sincere thanks to the School Principals, Players and Teachers who made this blitz such as success”

16 schools participated and each team is made up of players from four schools from the one area.  The teams were: