Cross Community Team Boston Bound

A cross community GAA team from Roe Valley have been selected to represent Ulster GAA at this year’s Continental Youth Championships in Boston, USA.

This is part of Ulster GAA’s hugely successful cross community project the Cúchulainn Cup. In its fourth year, the Cúchulainn Cup is growing from strength to strength. This is Ulster GAA’s flagship cross community project which brings together young people from non-GAA backgrounds through the medium of Gaelic Games. The project aims to promote good community relations while also promoting Gaelic Games to those who normally wouldn’t get the opportunity to participate in the sport.

The Roe Valley Cúchulainn team is made-up of pupils from St Patrick’s College, Dungiven; Limavady High School, Limavady Grammar School, St Mary’s College, Limavady and Rossmar Special School.

Preparation for the Boston trip is well under-way with the team training twice a week under the watchful eye of Ulster GAA Regional Development Officer and coach Paul Callaghan.

Recently the team joined Ulster GAA Provincial Secretary Danny Murphy to travel to the GAA’s iconic home of Croke Park in Dublin. This special visit provided the team an opportunity to experience the importance of the GAA in Ireland as they received a personalised tour of Croke Park Museum, Grounds and had the opportunity to get out on the hallow turf, an honour usually reserved for Ireland’s greatest teams and players.

Speaking after the event Danny Murphy stated, “I was delighted to travel to Croke Park with the Roe Valley Cúchulainn team in preparation for their trip to Boston to compete in the Continental Youth Championships. Ulster GAA is very proud of our flagship cross community initiative, the Cúchulainn Cup, which helps promote Good Relations while at the same time helps raise awareness and interest in Gaelic Games to those from non GAA backgrounds.

“The Roe Valley Cúchulainn team and mentors will travel to Boston next week for a trip of a lifetime. The boys will have the honour of representing their school, the Roe Valley area and Ulster as they compete in the Continental Youth Championships. When they pull on their specially commissioned O’Neills jersey they will be playing together as a team and as friends, regardless of their background, beliefs or ability. That is something very special and is something Ulster GAA will continue to cherish and promote.”

“I commend the five schools participating in this initiative and I commend the families of all the boys who are playing their part in building peace and good relations.”

Roe Valley Cúchulainns will travel to Boston on Monday 1st August for a one week trip which will focus on America’s biggest GAA competition – the Continental Youth Championships, as part of the trip the team will also get to see Boston’s major attractions including Fenway Park. The travelling party will include 5 teachers, Ulster GAA staff and Ulster GAA Officers.