Two Granard schools combining in hurling

By Cian O'Connell

Glennon Brothers Pearse Park provides the backdrop for a North Leinster Junior D Final involving hurlers from three Longford colleges.

St Mel’s face Granard Schools as Cnoc Mhuire Secondary School and Ardscoil Phádraig have combined to reach the decider.

Longford development squads are sprinkled with players from both teams so there is a sense of hope and optimism to attached to a talented crop of players.

Teachers Niamh Kiernan (Cnoc Mhuire) and Claire O’Reilly (Ardscoil Phádraig) have been instrumental in the Granard Schools story over the past three years. "Claire and I have been working on it together,” Niamh Kiernan explains.

"We're really looking forward to it. I started here three years ago, I used to play camogie when I was younger, I played in a couple of Leinster schools finals.

"They had decided they'd put in a team in 2023 when I started. Evan Tully was in Ardscoil Phádraig at the time, he'd decided he was going to enter them into a competition.

"Most of the boys would all play together for Wolfe Tones in Edgeworthstown, and while you've two schools, they're all good pals.

"When I first started, we were scraping the numbers by. Now, we've 30 on the panel which is fantastic.”

The fact that so many people have contributed to the Granard Schools success story is something Niamh Kieran acknowledges. "Ciaran MacEodhaidh was the first GDA in Longford that started it, he’s a Galway man, he'd the initial drive to try to improve hurling here,” she says.

“Evan Tully put in the team, but he moved schools, he still comes down to do a bit of training. Evan still gives a hand, he is with the Wolfe Tones club, and he's very much involved with the lads.

"It started working out really well. Claire and I are trying to find time on the calendar to suit two schools, that is very tough, but we ended up working really well together. This is our third year; we tried to build on it from the first year up.”

That the two schools, Wolfe Tones, and Longford GAA staff have been involved alongside the teaching staff is significant. “It has been a busy year, but it is the first year we've been winning,” Niamh Kieran says.

“We hadn't won a game until this year and now we're in a North Leinster Final. So, it has been a dream year for us.

“There is a buzz, our boys play with Wolfe Tones, and the Mel's boys, the majority of them play with Slashers in Longford town. So, you've two of the main hurling clubs in the county, and it is massive for them.

"The lads have bought into it so much, they'd three sessions over the Christmas, the club wanted to help and they ran them. A teacher Ronan Courtney plays club with the lads; he has been fantastic too. It has been a massive team effort.”

JP Bracken, Longford GAA's Hurling Games Development Administrator, is excited about the potential of the players. “You've a good bunch of lads, who'd be in Longford development squads at U15 and U17,” Bracken says.

“They'd have won All-Irelands last year in the Celtic Challenge and Hibernian Cup.”

So, the intention is for Granard Schools to field in the senior grade in the 2026/27 school campaign. “A lot of them on this panel are in TY,” Niamh Kiernan explains.

“Ardscoil don't have as many players on it this year, but in the last two years they'd a massive part on it. Some of the boys in fifth year are overage, they've just missed out on it, but we're hoping next year to have a really strong senior team.

“We hope to have a junior and senior team. At the end of January or start of February we will have a first-year team, too. They're mad to go, they're asking me every day.”

Damien Sheridan, Longford GAA Games Manager, is hugely encouraged about the work being carried out. “There are a lot of green shoots in Longford hurling,” Sheridan says.

“It is a combination of clubs, schools, and county, but mainly very dedicated individuals like Claire and Niamh in Granard, who provide opportunities for players to do what they love most in playing the wonderful game of hurling.

“Claire and Niamh have driven participation within their schools and worked closely to ensure combined sessions take place. All in Longford GAA are very grateful for their efforts, and long may it continue to grow in the years ahead.”

That the final is taking place in the county ground adds to the occasion according to Niamh Kiernan. “I know it is two local teams, but for Longford to give us Pearse Park is great, it is a pitch in demand,” she says.

“It is unbelievable for the lads to get the occasion in there. We're bringing 70 from our school and 40 from the Ardscoil, so we'll have massive support.”

The encouraging Granard Schools hurling story is only starting.