Roe Valley Cúchulainns head for London

Twenty young men from North Derry travel to London this weekend to represent Ulster GAA in the 2015 GAA All Britain Competition. The boys are representing four schools making-up the Cúchulainns; St Mary’s Limavady, Limavady High School, Limavady Grammar and St Patrick’s Dungiven. Teachers Thomas Campbell, Brian Hughes, Stephen McConnell and Mervin McMullan have gave up their summer holidays to accompany their pupils on this once-in-a-lifetime trip alongside Ulster GAA staff Fionntán O’Dowd and Gavin McGilly. Earlier this year in May over 100 young men participated in the Cross Community Cúchulainn Cup blitz with schools coming from both the maintained and controlled sector in the Tyrone GAA Centre Garvaghey.

Speaking ahead of the trip Ulster GAA President Martin McAviney said, “The Cúchulainn Initiative continues to be Ulster GAA’s flagship Cross Community Project which uses Gaelic Games to break down barriers and build community relations in the education sector. Ulster GAA is committed to the development of a shared future based on tolerance and respect for the differing cultural traditions that share our community.

“This year we are delighted to once again include the London trip for Roe Valley Cúchulainns as it provides a unique opportunity to bring together young men from across the different backgrounds to travel and represent their families, their schools, their communities and their county. Many new friendships will be forged during this trip and that really goes to prove the strength of sport in building Peace and Reconciliation.”

In preparation for the trip, the team had an away day last week in Dublin, where they had an opportunity to train collectively in Parnell Park, before taking in a tour of the GAA Headquarters at Croke Park, during which they viewed the stadium and museum as well as meeting the an Uachtarán Cumann Lúthchleas Gael, Áogan Ó Fearghail.

During their stay in London, the Roe Valley side will be hosted in Greenford for a warm up game against Tir Chonaill Gaels on Thursday evening. On Saturday the team will be participating in the U16 Football Championships were they will play against teams from England, Scotland and Wales.