Hurling development and fun on the agenda in successful Fr Alec Reid tournament

By Cian O'Connell

In Nenagh, Fr Alec Reid's ability on the hurling field has never been forgotten.

Back in 1947, Reid captained Nenagh CBS to Croke Cup glory, and two years later won an All-Ireland minor title with Tipperary.

So, 13 months ago, when an U14 competition was held in Abbotstown, a cherished figure in the Nenagh Éire Óg story, Jimmy Morris, presented the cup to the victorious St Mary's, Belfast outfit.

An appreciation for hurling was passed through the generations with Jimmy's grandson, Jake, one of the classiest forwards in hurling.

On Tuesday, the second staging of the Fr Alec Reid Cup took place at the GAA's National Development Centre with schools from three provinces participating. Hurling and fun were the two chief items on the agenda.

Coláiste Mhuire, Mullingar triumphed, another encouraging sign for the progressive school, who are flourishing in both codes.

The friendships forged through sport matter deeply. Niall Cahill has enjoyed success at Harty and Croke Cup level with Thurles CBS as a manager, but thoroughly enjoys helping to organise events and tournaments for emerging players.

The Rice Cup has been maintained and expanded in recent years for Christian Brothers affiliated schools.

Before a successful Harty Cup campaign last year, Cahill brought Thurles CBS players to Belfast for a bonding trip.

"St Mary's in Belfast, they were brilliant, they really looked after us, we did a training session, and some of our lads played a challenge against them," Cahill explains.

"I told them that we were running the Rice Cup with Dublin teams and even teams down as far as Tralee. We asked them would it be something they'd be interested in? Now, it didn't work out last year with the timings, but we were getting a tour around the city, we went to Clonard Monastery, Alec Reid was mentioned."

Paddy Linden, who works in St Mary's forged a friendship with Cahill. When Thurles CBS sampled glory in the Harty and Croke Cups, Linden had travelled to watch the games. It captured what sport was about.

Cahill highlights the value of that trip from a sporting and educational perspective. Fr Alec Reid was a topic of conversation, too.

"On the wall in Éire Óg, there is a plaque remembering Alec Reid, that Jimmy Morris was involved in arranging," Cahill adds. "So, I knew a little bit about him, they were talking away about him, and his history.

"A lot of the boys had played with Tipp minors so it resonated a bit with them. When I floated the idea about doing something separate that might work with Mary's in Belfast, getting three different provinces into it, they were on board.

"Nenagh CBS, and our school sent development panels. St Mary's had links with Mullingar, Naas, and Ardscoil Rís in Dublin, they'd done exchanges with them before.

"So, it was a nice link. The All-Ireland PPS helped us out getting the us of Abbotstown, Ciarán Kearney, who worked in Croke Park, helped organise it. The lads had a great day out.

"St Mary's won it last year. It was about developing hurling."

A similar approached was adopted in 2026 with Coláiste Mhuire, Mullingar prevailing. "I'd represent Thurles CBS, Joe Gallagher is from Kildangan, he is teaching in Templemore, and it is great to have him in as chairperson. Philip Hickey, he hurls with Nenagh, he represents Nenagh CBS.

"When we were talking about it, we thought it was a good idea. Three Tipperary schools sent up development teams, you'd Naas CBS, Mullingar, and St Mary's.

"It is trying to make sure teams don't get hammered, that it is useful, and a benefit for the different teams. That is the big thing about it.

"We've the two pitches in Abbotstown with two groups of three. Everyone was guaranteed at least three games with semi-finals.

"When it is in Abbotstown, it is brilliant. Conor Bowe went up, he is a past pupil, he could see that the young lads were blown away, seeing those facilities, playing there."

That the past, present, and future were intertwined is appreciated by Cahill. "When we were having it last year, I rang a few of Jimmy's sons, to make sure Jimmy knew it was on because if he reads about this after, I'll be in trouble," Cahill laughs.

"When we won the Harty in 2015, he was out in America at the time, I got a lovely letter from Jimmy, congratulating me and wishing me all the best. He'd be at all of the matches, he's brilliant.

"They didn't know if he'd be able to go last year, at 95 years of age to present it, the day before they cleared it with him.

"Jimmy was delighted to present it, he'd have been very fond of Alec Reid, he was telling all of the young lads about him. It was a nice way to do it."