FOR 190 GAA-mad children, Our Lady’s Primary School, Tullysaran was the centre of the universe yesterday morning as the famous Sam Maguire Cup paid a visit – and none better to be carrying the silverware through its gates than two Tullysaran men.
Jason McGahan and Colin Trainor were two important figures in Kerry’s successful pursuit of the All-Ireland title this year, the county’s first since 2014.
McGahan, now in his second stint with the Kingdom, leads the squad’s strength & conditioning, while Trainor is Jack O’Connor’s video analyst.
On the big screen at the top of the classroom, the children cheered video clips of Kerry’s All-Ireland win last summer before some of them asked McGahan and Trainor how Kerry climbed the mountain in 2022.
After the Q&A session, the children, teaching staff and their two guests sang a lovely rendition of ‘Boys from County Armagh’.
McGahan was delighted to back in his home place yesterday morning and hoped Sam’s visit would inspire some of their wide-eyed audience to great things in later life.
“All my brothers and sisters went here to Tullysaran and it’s great to come back to the Tullysaran people. I grew up in Tullysaran,” said McGahan, who also had spells working under former Kerry managers Eamonn Fitzmaurice and Peter Keane.
“I tell the Kerry boys every day they go out to train or play, create a moment, create a memory. That’s life in general. If you see a moment or see an opportunity, take it, and by doing that you’re going to create a memory – and hopefully that’s what’s happened here today.
“The kids will remember Sam coming into their school as a moment, a memory for them. It’s about installing that and hopefully someday they’ll be thinking: ‘I can grow up and play for Tullysaran and maybe play for Armagh.’
Principal Tomas McKee felt a sense of normality return to school-life by simply being able to host the event.
“Over the last few years, school life has been difficult,” said Mr McKee.
“We have had very few events like this one in recent times but it’s great to see the whole school come together and being positive about the future and what the children can do in the future.
“We want to inspire the children through Gaelic Games and Irish culture, to go on and do their best in whatever they do in life.
“I want them to remember this day so when they go through the various stages of life, they can say: ‘I remember Jason McGahan and Colin Trainor back in our school and maybe someday I can bring something back and celebrate it like they did.’”
“That could be winning something with Tullysaran or with Armagh or it could be something else outside of sport and they can come back here and talk about their achievement.”
The principal added: “The children also have to remember that education is not a sprint, it’s a lifelong journey. There are so many facets to learning – it’s not just about the classroom, it’s the social aspect of it, promoting well-being and mental health and trying to encourage the children to be as active as possible. Hopefully events like today helps that.”
Armagh footballer and vice-principal of Our Lady’s Primary School Aidan Forker, who helped put yesterday’s Sam Maguire visit together, said if the appearance of the famous silverware inspires just one child, it’s "worth doing".
“We’re just celebrating the connection between Sam Maguire and two local boys who grew up in Tullysaran and inspiring the children through sport – not just through a playing capacity but in other ways," said Mr Forker.
"The GAA is all about participation, whatever level that is – playing, managing, volunteering or officiating – everyone has their place in the GAA.”
