Strabane Cúchulainns participated in the All-Britain Competition in London last month.
By Cian O'Connell
"The Cúchulainn initiative is something Ulster GAA has been involved in for 15 years at this stage," Ulster GAA Head of Club and Community Development Diarmaid Marsden explains.
Last month a team, featuring students from Holy Cross College and Strabane Academy, participated in the All-Britain Competition in London.
It was a hugely rewarding trip for everyone involved. "What we are doing is using Gaelic games to bring schools together, particularly schools that would have no background in Gaelic games and linking them with partner schools," Marsden says.
"This year we worked in Strabane with a girls team. Over the years we'd have done it with boys and girls teams right across the province.
"The girls this year were from Holy Cross College, a catholic school, and Strabane Academy, who'd be from the protestant community. They came together, they had a few taster sessions in Gaelic Football.
"Then, over the period of weeks, they'd have played in a tournament we organised in Magherafelt in late March. They'd have played against similar groups from Belfast, Lurgan, and Coleraine.
"So, that was the start of their journey. From that we had to select one of those teams, to see could we bring one of them to the All-Britain Competition in London in July."
The Strabane Cúchulainns were formed and Marsden acknowledges that significant progress was made in a short space of time. "We just happened to select Strabane based on their involvement in the programme," he adds.
It proved to be a successful trip to London for Strabane Cúchulainns.
"The teachers got involved in selecting five or six girls from each schools, they prepared and trained for a month or so in advance of the tournament.
"Basically, you're using sport to bring kids together, to break down those societal or community barriers that we have. It was also an introduction to Gaelic games for them all."
Football was played with friendships formed. That is key for Marsden. "The girls in Holy Cross wouldn't have any real experience of Gaelic games, some of them might have played when they were younger," Marsden says.
"Some now are thinking about joining the local club. It really is bringing together girls with an interest in sport, to try out Gaelic Football, to come together, to play as a team.
"The culmination of that was a trip to London. That is where they really forged those friendships and relationships.
"Suddenly, now they know each other, they are on social media, they have each other's Instagram and Snapchat accounts. Instead of seeing another uniform across the street, they can now recognise and realise they are the same.
"It helps to break down those barriers. We've done this for many years now and it was a great experience for the girls going to London.
The All-Britain Competition provides a great opportunity to be involved in a prestigious tournament.
Students from Holy Cross College and Strabane Academy travelled to London.
Strabane Cúchulainns overcame Gaeil Londain and Claddagh Gaels in the group stages before losing to Seán McDermotts after extra-time in a well contested quarter-final.
Ultimately, the value of sport was underlined for Marsden. "It could be any sport, we are in the privileged position, to be able to offer Gaelic games," Marsden responds.
"Some of the girls may never play another game of football, but some have shown an interest and may well join the local club. That is just a bonus to it all.
"They may well continue in sport, whether that is hockey or netball, soccer, whatever it is, it is something they will hopefully continue.
"In the tournament they did really well, they got out of the group, got to a quarter-final, and we were just beaten after extra-time, which was really, really good. They acquitted themselves during the trip, and, in particular, the tournament itself.
"That is all bonus stuff, the whole thing here is using sport as that vehicle to bring them all together."
It proved to be a real adventure for everybody. "The reaction from the girls themselves, first and foremost, their parents, and the teachers in the schools involved, it has been very, very positive," Marsden says.
"For all of our trips there has been nothing, but glowing reports for all of the staff, who organise it. The experience the boys and girls have, getting a three or four day trip to London. There is nothing, but positive benefits to all of that."