More than 500 Under 12 hurlers from 32 clubs in eight different counties competed in the inaugural Cistercian College Hurling Blitz on Saturday, May 20.

It was an enjoyable occasion for all those involved with the school keen to highlight its willingness to develop hurling.

Teachers, students, parents, and interested past pupils combined to organise the successful event.

"Since the school won the Leinster Senior Rugby Schools Cup there seems to be an impression that it is predominantly a rugby school, but the reality is that hurling is just as popular and important to us as rugby is," Barry Lambkin, a parent involved in the tournament, explains.

"We were just looking for a way to get the word out there to the hurling community that we are one of only two boarding schools in the country that offers hurling and it is offered at a very high level.

"We just decided running a blitz for Under 12s would capture boys, who mightn't be enrolling in a secondary school in September, but who would be in the next year or two just to make parents aware."

Cistercian College Roscrea won All Ireland B Hurling titles in 2000 and 2004 with former students including Tipperary's Paddy and John O'Brien, Kilkenny's Conor Phelan, Offaly's Shane McGuckin, and Wexford's Redmond Barry, who all enjoyed successful inter-county careers.

Teams travelled from Clare and Wexford to participate with Tipperary stars, past and present, Hugh Maloney and Patrick 'Bonner' Maher attending.

"It was run by members of staff including hurling coaches from the school and then a group of past pupils and parents," Lambkin told GAA.ie.

“A lot of current students were involved too, each team when they arrived were allocated an ambassador which was either a parent, past pupil or current student, who gave them a small tour of the school. All in all it was an exceptionally positive experience, and it is one we are hoping to repeat every year now."