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Following an exciting playoff last week, the finals of the Deloitte Schools Gaelic Tournament were equally entertaining.
De La Salle was declared the winner of the 2019 tournament, beating Rouge Bouillon in the final. A girls-only tournament saw teams play 12-minute games with FCJ and D’Auvergne being declared joint winners.
‘The boys final was an entertaining game with some superb goalkeeping from both teams,’ says Liam Brenock, the Secretary for the Junior Gaelic Football Club.
This year, the third season of the initiative has seen over 500 school children play over seven weeks of Gaelic football. The tournament has grown in popularity since its inception and targets youngsters from year six who may not have tried the sport before.
The training sessions are incorporated into PE lessons and after school sessions at D'Auvergne, St Michael’s, Rouge Bouillon, St Peters, FCJ, Victoria College Prep, La Moye and De La Salle.
Played during the summer months, the skill set required is not dissimilar to those needed for rugby. Throughout the fast-paced game, a pass can be made with either the hand or the foot.
Members of the Jersey Irish GAA Club give up their free time to support the development of the sport on the island and give the schoolchildren the opportunity to get involved in a fun activity.
Eugene McCarthy, a member of the Jersey Irish GAA Club, said: ‘I would like to say thanks to all the coaches for giving up their time to support the schools training programme and the two days of the tournament.
‘I would also like to say thanks to the schools for participating in our event and the teachers for their support. Once again the boys and girls were a credit to you and your schools. A special thanks must go to Siobhan Durcan and Deloitte for supporting the tournament.’
‘The children gave their all. It’s brilliant to see different sports gaining prominence - the more choice we can give our young people, the more active they might become. The timing of the tournament means the children who enjoy it can join the Jersey GAA Club over the summer. We hope many continue to play.’
Siobhan Durcan, Partner at Deloitte, said: ‘We are really proud to support an initiative that goes from strength to strength and brings a real sense of community and fun. From the coaches giving up their time, the schools who passionately embrace it and of course the children who approach this with a sense of teamwork and excitement.
Two more tournaments are coming up in July and students from year two upwards are encouraged to join in training sessions at Granville on Thursday evenings at 6.30pm.
