Friday evening saw the curtain come down to a very successful schools hurling year in the St Dallans school year with the second annual schools hurling blitz. With a change in emphasis throughout the year in GAA in how our games are promoted, Hurling Chairman Damien McConville is extremely pleased to have seen an increase in the interest in hurling from St Dallans and Carrick Primary schools. When you consider that last year saw the first official end of year schools hurling blitz take place within the Mournes area, the interest shown from other clubs and schools this year had been extended to the P4 & P5 year groups.
On a glorious sunny day teams from St Dallans, Carrick Primary Burren and St Patricks Hilltown all enjoyed expressing themselves on the fields of Páirc Liam Uí Ir. Three fields set up for the days encounters it was a thoroughly enjoyable day for all involved. The emphasis on the day was on participation and putting the hard work of all the after school hours put in by club coaches and not forgetting making new acquaintances that will last through their playing days.
In the P6 & P7 games it came down to the local rivalry of St Dallans v Carrick, with the blues looking to reverse the result of last year’s matches. In the P4 and P5 matches both St Patricks Hilltown and Carrick primary Burren showed that they too are very keen to keep their hurling to the fore within their schools.
Moygannon proved to be an excellent choice of venue for the day as the schools were able to utilize the pitches that had been set up and therefore maximise the amount of hurling. It is hoped that next year the success of this year will expand and see more schools take up the offer of participating in the thoroughly enjoyable day.
