Cross-community team honoured

The Lord Mayor of Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council Gareth Wilson has hosted local cross-community Gaelic team, the Banbridge Cúchulainns.
Armagh City, Banbridge & Craigavon Borough Council Lord Mayor Alderman Gareth Wilson hosted a Reception in Banbridge Civic Building for the Banbridge Cúchulainn's GAA Team, made up of students from Banbridge High School, New-Bridge Integrated College and St Patrick's College, who won the Ulster Cúchulainn Cup at the Meadowbank Sports Arena, Magherafelt on Wednesday 15th March, Team Captain Owen McGreevy holds the cup, included with the players are their teachers, from New-Bridge IC Anne Anderson (Principal) and James McGlade, from Banbridge High School Mark Parker, from St Patrick's College Roisin Woods (Principal) and Tony Kearney and from Ulster GAA Council, Michael Hasson (President) and Diarmaid Marsden. ©Edward Byrne PhotographyArmagh City, Banbridge & Craigavon Borough Council Lord Mayor Alderman Gareth Wilson hosted a Reception in Banbridge Civic Building for the Banbridge Cúchulainn's GAA Team, made up of students from Banbridge High School, New-Bridge Integrated College and St Patrick's College, who won the Ulster Cúchulainn Cup at the Meadowbank Sports Arena, Magherafelt on Wednesday 15th March, Team Captain Owen McGreevy holds the cup, included with the players are their teachers, from New-Bridge IC Anne Anderson (Principal) and James McGlade, from Banbridge High School Mark Parker, from St Patrick's College Roisin Woods (Principal) and Tony Kearney and from Ulster GAA Council, Michael Hasson (President) and Diarmaid Marsden. ©Edward Byrne Photography
Armagh City, Banbridge & Craigavon Borough Council Lord Mayor Alderman Gareth Wilson hosted a Reception in Banbridge Civic Building for the Banbridge Cúchulainn's GAA Team, made up of students from Banbridge High School, New-Bridge Integrated College and St Patrick's College, who won the Ulster Cúchulainn Cup at the Meadowbank Sports Arena, Magherafelt on Wednesday 15th March, Team Captain Owen McGreevy holds the cup, included with the players are their teachers, from New-Bridge IC Anne Anderson (Principal) and James McGlade, from Banbridge High School Mark Parker, from St Patrick's College Roisin Woods (Principal) and Tony Kearney and from Ulster GAA Council, Michael Hasson (President) and Diarmaid Marsden. ©Edward Byrne Photography

This comes after the team won the Ulster GAA Cúchulainn Cup earlier this year and represented Ulster at the recent All British Championships.

And the reception was held during Community Relations and Cultural Awareness Week.

The team is made up of students from St Patrick’s College, Banbridge High School and Newbridge College.

GAA President Michael Hasson said, “We are delighted that Lord Mayor Gareth Wilson has officially recognised the efforts and commitment of the three Banbridge schools to the Cúchulainn Initiative.

“The Cúchulainn Cup is in its ninth year, is Ulster GAA’s flagship cross community initiative which aims to use sport to break down barriers and develop good community relations among young people who live and study in the one town but who may never cross paths because of their different backgrounds.

“This is the first time that Banbridge has participated in this initiative and we are delighted how well they have embraced the ethos of this project.

“The three schools, the boys and their parents have all shown real leadership and commitment to good relations. Banbridge Cúchulainns have represented themselves, their schools and their town with distinction throughout the Cúchulainn Cup competition and also in London at the All Britain Championships.”

Lord Mayor Gareth Wilson said, “I am delighted to recognise the boys, their teachers and schools for participating in such a positive initiative.

“I am delighted as first citizen to highlight projects like this that help to build relations and breakdown barriers and also to congratulate the team on their success.”

Ulster GAA’s Cúchulainn Initiative is supported by The Executive Office through the Central Good Relations Fund.