'Treasured trophy' comes to Cashel for the very first time, writes school principal

On a massive sporting weekend in this country, there was no better result than our school winning the Harty Cup in Semple Stadium on Sunday.

The Harty Cup, the Munster Senior Schools’ hurling championship is one of the most ferociously fought out school competitions of all, writes John Gallagher, Cashel Community School principal.

This competition has been dominated over the decades by the aristocrats of Munster schools hurling, but on Sunday we saw the very first community school capture this famous cup in heroic form.

It is only fitting that Cashel Community School is the first to do so, as this famous trophy is named after the former GAA patron, Archbishop Dr John Mary Harty, who served as Archbishop of Cashel and Emly.

It’s hard to beat the excitement and pressure that comes with knockout schools GAA. There was certainly nothing easy about our passage to this defining day; but Cashel Community School had arrived to this final on merit after beating the best of Cork, Clare and Limerick, it was then the turn of our neighbours Thurles CBS.

It was great to be part of the first-ever all-Tipperary Harty Cup final which attracted a bumper attendance with bucket loads of colour, pageantry and the atmosphere dominating the venue.

A heaving crowd with young and old faces in the stands and with the cream of the school’s hurling crop competing on the field of play whilst representing their school, clubs and families was a joy to watch.

On Sunday we were privileged to witness a group of young men giving everything for their school crest.

I hope I speak for all, when I say we left that sporting cauldron with our heads held high and filled with a great sense of pride of what our school community represents and has achieved to date.

We salute this team and their mentors on securing this treasured trophy. Our school has been in existence for less than thirty years.

Winning this final is a well-deserved outcome of extraordinary commitment, dedication, organisation and focus. The local clubs have provided the school with outstanding hurlers and footballers.

Success on the playing field could not happen without the selfless army of volunteers behind these scenes.

This Harty Cup journey shows that talent combined with hard work and dedication is a recipe for success. Currently, hurling within the school is on the crest of a wave.

I must pay tribute to this wonderful group of young men who have fought valiantly to reach this final. These young hurlers have set very high standards within our community.

Over the past number of years, they have shown us what it takes to compete and win at the highest level.

Their palpable determination and application, combined with well-honed skill have brought them to this point.

They have shown us how to reach for the stars and dare to dream.

This squad under the stewardship of a strong and focused management team have taken their talents to a different level this year.

As I pen this message the reality that the school has won the schools’ senior hurling blue ribbon event, the Harty Cup, is difficult to comprehend.

As a principal, all one can hope for is that the students that are entrusted to you are given the opportunity to reach their potential and develop the aptitudes and skills that will carry them forward in life.

Last weekend saw our students performing at the highest level on the hallowed ground that is Semple.

The support we get from the community is remarkable. Our generous sponsors have never been found wanting. Good luck and congratulation messages have been flooding into the school before and after this final.

It’s wonderful, for me as a school principal, to see that we have the whole community behind us.

The school as a whole and everyone associated with the Cashel Community School team has also been overwhelmed by the support shown during the campaign by the local community for which we are eternally grateful.

In addition, I reserve special praise for Brendan Ryan and Anthony Roche along with Robert Costigan, Eoin Fitzpatrick and the countless other teachers involved both as back up, analysis and logistics staff.

These teachers have given endless hours of time, energy and expertise to the team. They never give up and there has been no stone left unturned.

The preparations begin the minute they come back in September and they never take their eye off the ball until the last whistle blows.

And, that is evident on the pitch - they puck every sliothar with the team and the students have huge respect for them.

Whatever they ask of the players they are happy to deliver.

Finally, on behalf of our school community, thank you boys for all that you have given.

We have enjoyed the journey immensely and our admiration for you and the players is obvious.

Your efforts and achievements have left an indelible impression on our school.

We look forward to following your sporting exploits in the years to come.

Written by John Gallagher