Civic reception for Ballymoney Cúchullains

Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council Brenda Chivers has hosted the Ballymoney Cúchulainns who participated in the Ulster GAA Cúchulainn Initiative this year and who represented Ulster at the All Britain Competition in London in July.

It was fitting for the Mayor to recognise the cross-community Gaelic team during Good Relations Week.  The team is made up of students from Dalriada School and Our Lady of Lourdes School.

Speaking from Ballymoney Town Hall, Ulster GAA President Michael Hasson said: “We are delighted that Mayor has officially recognised the efforts and commitment of the two Ballymoney schools to the Cúchulainn Initiative. It is Ulster GAA’s flagship cross community programme which aims to use sport to break down barriers and develop good community relations among young people who live and study in the one town but who may never cross paths because of their different backgrounds.

“This is the first time that Ballymoney has participated in this initiative and we are delighted how well they have embraced the ethos of this project.  The two schools, the boys and their parents have all shown real leadership and commitment to good relations.  Ballymoney Cúchulainns have represented themselves, their schools and their town with distinction throughout the Cúchulainn Initiative and also in London at the All Britain Competition.”

Congratulating all those who took part, the Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council Councillor Brenda Chivers said:

“This project is a fantastic example of the power of sport and how it can bring people together. The boys have shown great team work and camaraderie from the outset and I know they were very proud to win their competitive tournament. In London, they were outstanding ambassadors for the Causeway Coast and Glens area and I hope their success together both on and off the field acts as a source of inspiration for us all. I would like to thank Ulster GAA and the teachers who supported the team along the way. I have no doubt that this initiative will have had a lasting impact on all those who took part.”

Ulster GAA’s Cúchulainn Initiative is supported by The Executive Office through the Central Good Relations Fund, and speaking at the event, Andy Cole, Director of Good Relations said: “Young people are a key focus of the Executive’s Good Relation Strategy Together: Building a United Community. One of the key aims is to create the conditions where young people can play a full and active role in building good relations. The young people who participated in the Ulster GAA Cúchulainn Initiative are putting into practice that vision of reconciliation through sport.”

For more information on the Cúchulainn Initiative please contact Fionntan O’Dowd on 028 (048) 37521900 or email Fionntan.odowd.ulster@gaa.ie.