The strength of Gaelic Games at Our Lady’s Secondary School was highlighted last week when it was announced that two members of the Senior Boys and two members of the Senior Girls GAA teams were selected as representatives on their respective Colleges All Star teams for 2016.

Aisling Callan and Niamh Kerr have been training with the Ulster Ladies Panel from the end of October and their hard work, commitment and natural ability impressed the coaches and seen them selected as worthy representatives on this year’s Ladies All Star team. Niamh is a member of the O’ Neill Shamrocks club and won Minor and Junior titles with her club last season. Aisling is a member of the Donaghmoyne Ladies club and has won county, provincial and All Ireland titles with her club at senior level this season. The girls will receive their All Star Awards at a presentation at Kelly Inn in February and they will also represent Ulster in the interprovincial series at the end of that month.

Frank Connolly and James Wilson attended an initial trial in Cookstown at the beginning of the month and were selected to compete in a final trial game last Wednesday in Belfast.  Throughout both games both players displayed their excellent footballing skill and ability as well as a keen work ethic that brought them to the attention of the selectors present. On Friday morning there was great excitement in the school when it was announced that Frank had been selected at left half back and James Wilson at corner forward on the Ulster Colleges All Star team of 2014. Both players play with Toome GFC and won a Junior League title with their club last season as well as representing the Co. Minors for this past two years.

These latest All Stars bring in total 17 Ulster Colleges All Stars to the school in five years, 12 for the girls and 5 for the boys and are a timely boost to both the boys and girls Senior football teams as they prepare for the knockout stages of their respective competitions after Christmas.Speaking at the school during the week Principal Mr. Kelly congratulated the players on their outstanding achievement. ‘ for a school to have one Ulster Colleges All Star in any year is a fantastic achievement but to achieve four in one year is a huge honour and one of which we in Our Lady’s are very proud.

Throughout their time at Our Lady’s Aisling, Niamh, Frank and James have been and continue to be excellent ambassadors for Gaelic games in the school and are great role models for the younger players in the school. I am delighted that the skill and commitment that we see on a daily basis has been recognised at provincial level and I have no doubt that with continued hard work and application that they have great futures ahead of them in Gaelic Games. I want to pay particular thanks to their coaches Mr. Graham, Ms. O Keeffe, Mr. O Boyle and Mr. Lyons and indeed all those who have coached the players during their time at Our Lady’s for their hard work and generosity of time that gives our students so many opportunities and experiences to develop their skills and talents outside the classroom. The high levels of success we have enjoyed in GAA in recent years is a testimony to the great work done by all teachers involved in coaching & promoting GAA’