Scoil Ursula was honoured with a visit from the President of the GAA, Liam O’ Neill. He was accompanied by County Board Chairman, Cyril Feehily, our County GAA Games Manager, Liam Óg Gormley, our Football Coach, Charles Harrison and our hurling coach, Benny Kenny. Also in attendance were Frank Carter, Chairman of our local football club, St. Mary’s, and Bill O’Kelly Lynch from our local hurling club, Naomh Eoin as well as members of our Board of Management.

The President was in Sligo to lend his support to the wonderful work that is being undertaken in the promotion of Gaelic Games in schools at primary, post-primary and at Third level in this county. As a Primary School Principal, he is particularly committed to providing the best possible framework for our primary school children to learn and enjoy Gaelic Games. He viewed coaching sessions in both Football & Hurling before addressing a packed assembly in the Halla.

Scoil Ursula has close links with our local club, St. Mary’s, and Club Chairman Frank Carter spoke on its behalf. We have also recently begun to develop hurling as a sport in the school with our team playing its first ever match on Wednesday. Our local hurling club, Naomh Eoin, was represented by Club Secretary,  Bill O’ Kelly Lynch, who spoke on its behalf.

In his address, Mr O' Neill, emphasised the enjoyment of participation in all sports and encouraged the children to be respectful on the field of play.  Our Deputy Principal, Mrs Corcoran made a presentation to mark his visit to Sligo and Scoil Ursula. She presented the President with a piece of Sligo Pottery depicting the Fiddler of Dooney famed in the Yeats poem, which we hope will remind him of his visit here in the years to come. 

Scoil Ursula will have the honour of welcoming GAA President, Liam O' Neill, to the school when he visits Sligo this coming Thursday. He is coming to support the work that is going on to promote the development of Gaelic Games among young people. He will launch this year's Coaching Scheme which begins in the school next week and which has proved an outstanding success over the past number of years.  Liam's beginnings in GAA administration began with Cumann na mBunscol in his native County Laois many years ago and, as a Primary School Principal, he has a keen interest in developing the best possible programmes at primary school level with the emphasis on skills development and enjoyment rather than competition. We are honoured to be among only two Primary Schools that the President will visit on his tour of County Sligo. He is due to arrive at the school at 1:40 and will be met by delegates from the school as well as our local clubs, St. Mary's Football Club and  Naomh Eoin Hurling Club. 
We are having our Annual Jersey Day to coincide with his visit. We are asking our pupils to wear in a GAA jersey and contribute €1 to defray some of the cost of the Coaching Scheme. Thank you for your support!!

We were delighted to be joined by players and back-room staff from Sligo Rovers today. Our shouting must have been heard all over town as the boys and girls cheered the Airtricity League Champions. Our thanks to the players and staff for visiting our school again and for bringing their amazing trophy and success story back to the many fans in Scoil Ursula.