500 primary school children to take part in inaugural Intercounty Players Hurling and Camogie Coaching Day
In a first-of-its-kind collaboration, Cumann na mBunscol Náisiúnta, the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) and the Gaelic Players Association (GPA) will host the inaugural Intercounty Players Hurling and Camogie Coaching Day, bringing together current senior intercounty stars and aspiring young players for a unique day of learning, inspiration and fun.
500 Young Hurlers and Camogie Players to Learn from Their Heroes at Historic Coaching Day in Offaly
More than 500 primary school children from across Ireland will descend on Faithful Fields, Kilcormac, Co. Offaly, on Tuesday, 16th June for a landmark event celebrating the future of Hurling and Camogie.
In a first-of-its-kind collaboration, Cumann na mBunscol Náisiúnta, the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) and the Gaelic Players Association (GPA) will host the inaugural Intercounty Players Hurling and Camogie Coaching Day, bringing together current senior intercounty stars and aspiring young players for a unique day of learning, inspiration and fun.
Following overwhelming interest from schools nationwide, 28 schools have been selected to participate, with children travelling from counties including Offaly, Meath, Galway, Tipperary and beyond to experience coaching delivered by some of the game's leading players.
Throughout the day, participants will take part in high-energy skills sessions, tactical workshops and small-sided games before finishing with a special autograph and photo session with their intercounty heroes.
The event reflects a shared commitment by Cumann na mBunscol, the GAA and the GPA to inspire lifelong participation in Gaelic games by creating memorable experiences that connect young players directly with those performing at the highest level.
Among those attending will be representatives from across the game including Tom Parlon (Chairperson, Offaly GAA), William Maher (GAA Head of Hurling), Karen Dessain Geilent (CEO, Camogie Association), Adrian Clancy (Head of Offaly Coaching and Games), representatives from the Gaelic Players Association including Tom Parsons or Sinéad Wylde, and GPA representative Róisín McCormick.
A strong contingent of current intercounty players will also be present to coach and mentor the children, including Aimee Collier, Mairéad Teehan, Grace Teehan, Claire McNamara, Clodagh McIntyre, David Purcell, Dan Bourke, Brian Duignan, Sam Bourke, Ben Conneely and Grace O’Brien.
The timing is particularly significant for Offaly hurling, with the county preparing for its All-Ireland Senior Hurling quarter-final against Cork the following Sunday. The presence of Offaly’s senior stars offers a timely opportunity to showcase the county’s remarkable resurgence while inspiring the next generation who dream of following in their footsteps.
Beyond the skills and coaching, the day highlights the power of collaboration across Gaelic games. It demonstrates how schools, volunteers, counties, players and national organisations can work together to create meaningful experiences that strengthen participation, build community and ensure Hurling and Camogie continue to thrive.
With hundreds of colourful school jerseys filling the pitches of Faithful Fields and some of Ireland’s top players giving back to the next generation, the event promises to be a celebration of everything that makes Gaelic games unique – community, inspiration, volunteerism and the lifelong connection between young players and their sporting heroes.
As the future of Hurling and Camogie takes to the field in Kilcormac, the message is simple: today’s schoolchildren are tomorrow’s county stars, and investing in their experience today will shape the games for generations to come.
