Gaelic Games Unites Communities

Enniskillen Cúchulainns were today crowned as Champions of Ulster GAA’s cross community Gaelic Football Tournament which was held in the Mid Ulster Sports Arena in Cookstown.  The Enniskillen side beat off strong competition from Armagh Cúchulainns in the final.

Four teams competed in the cross-community tournament: Lurgan-Armagh, Dungannon, Magherafelt and Enniskillen.  All teams were made up of players from a mixture of schools from the controlled and maintained sectors.

Today’s tournament is an extension to Ulster GAA’s pioneering cross community Initiative, which brings together young people from a range of backgrounds who have little or no experience participating in Gaelic Games.

The initiative is backed by the ‘Unite Against Hate’ Campaign which embraces the Northern Ireland Assembly’s vision for the future as:  “A peaceful, inclusive, prosperous, stable and fair society firmly founded on the achievement of reconciliation, tolerance, and mutual trust and the protection and vindication of human rights for all”.

Presenting the winning side with the Cúchulainn Football Cup, Ulster GAA Provincial Secretary Danny Murphy said, “Ulster GAA is very proud of this flagship cross-community initiative – the Cúchulainn Cup.  When we first set out to develop this initiative we hoped that it would bring together young people from all sections of our community to experience and enjoy Gaelic Games and to break down barriers through sport.  That hope is now been realised with the Cúchulainn Initiative continuing to grow from strength to strength.  The tournament is also about raising awareness and respect of Gaelic Games and the Association to those from non-GAA backgrounds.

“All the lads who participated in this year’s football and hurling tournament, are playing their part in building a better society, breaking down barriers and promoting good relations.  I commend all the schools and teachers involved who have made this possible, and I also pay tribute to the parents and families of the young men who are taking part, and the young men themselves.

“A hearty congratulations to the Enniskillen Cúchulainns who proved to be a strong side throughout the competition and who came away today as victors.”

Teams competing in 2010 Cúchulainn Football Cup were:

• Enniskillen Cúchulainns
• Armagh-Lurgan Cúchulainns
• Dungannon Cúchulainns
• Magherafelt Cúchulainns

All teams received free coaching from Ulster GAA Coaches and County Coaches