There has always been a very strong Gaelic tradition in the school and in the parish and the game of Gaelic football is played with great passion. The local club Emmet Óg is one of the strongest clubs in County Longford. The fact that this school serves the parish, facilitates the development of strong club - school links. The teachers in the school work hard in developing the skills of our Gaelic games and they are supported and helped by the presence of coaches from the local club. There is a permanent link between school and club whereby a member of the club is an integral part of the coaching structure each year. Jimmy Mc Cormack has been the club-school link for 15 years and has put in trojan work over 20 years coaching in St. Teresa’s National school. We have been very lucky to have many parents down through the years volunteer their time to help train our teams alongside Master Colm Harte. The Minor Club works closely with the school in developing the skills of the younger children.
When we succeeded in having a brand-new school built in 2006 the local club proved very helpful in advising on the development of our playing facilities and in securing grant aid from Leinster Council for the upgrading of our pitch. At present the school boasts a full-sized playing pitch and an Astro Turf facility. These areas allow us to promote and develop participation in Gaelic football, hurling, rounders and handball. The new development represented a big step forward for the community. The bigger school offered the advantage of catering for the needs of all the children in the parish on the same campus.
While we cherish participation and enjoyment in our Gaelic games we also celebrate success and the school has contested the Division 1 finals of League and Championship each year over the last decade in the mixed team events, while also winning on many of these occasions.
A pleasing feature of our school’s involvement in Cumann na mBunscol activities is the growth of Girls’ football within the school in recent years. While the girls were always included in the school’s football panels, they now have their own competitions and engage with great enthusiasm and indeed success. Thanks to the help of dedicated school staff who coach them they have swept the boards in recent times.
We have been very lucky to take part in Indoor Hurling competitions usually played between the months of November and February. For the last number of years, we have consistently entered three boys’ teams and two girls’ teams in the competition. This is a fun and very enjoyable competition and gives children another opportunity to meet, socialise and develop their hurling skills. Thanks to Master Harte who in previous years have taken charge of teams and to Gerry Rowley, Marie Brady, Mr. Niall Mulligan and Mr. Emmet Toher who currently takes charge of the girls and boys teams.
In 2018- 2019 school year, we entered the Cumann na mBunscol competition for Large School of the Year for promoting G.A.A. and Culture. We were fortunate to win this prestigious award and is testament to the work that has been carried out by everyone in the school down through the years. Through our involvement in our Gaelic games we see many opportunities to celebrate the talents of the children in our care and to give every child and opportunity to succeed. We believe strongly in the old Greek maxim of a “healthy mind is a healthy body” and participation in team sports also promotes the learning of many social skills, so necessary for adult life.
Our school’s motto is Ní Neart go Cur le Chéile. We believe strongly in
co-operation. With the help of a dedicated staff and supported by a loyal and engaged community, we are hopeful of a strong and vibrant future for our Gaelic games. We look forward to the future, confident that our pupils will continue to participate in and enjoy our national games. ‘Sé tus maith leath na h-oibre’.
