Gaelic Games in Our Lady’s Secondary School Castleblayney received a great boost when it was announced that Robbie Hanratty was selected on the Ulster Colleges All-Star team of 2018, the ultimate individual award in Ulster Colleges football. Robbie attended an initial trial in Cookstown on Thursday December 6^th and was selected to compete in a final trial game last Wednesday December 12^th in Belfast. Throughout both games Robbie displayed his excellent footballing skill and ability, with his high fielding and shooting from distance impressing the selection team. On Friday morning there was great excitement in the school when it was announced that Robbie had been selected on the Ulster Colleges All Star team for 2018.

Robbie is the son of Colin and Annette Hanratty and he plays his club football with the Castleblayney Faughs club winning numerous underage titles. Robbie has been a member of Co. Monaghan Development Squads and was a part of the Monaghan U/17 team that won a league and championship double last summer. Robbie is the joint captain of the schools Senior Boys GAA team that have recently qualified for the Mac Larnon Cup quarter final.

This is Our Lady’s tenth Ulster Colleges All-Star award and indeed their eight award from 2006. Speaking at the school during the week Principal Mr. Kelly who also coaches the Senior Boys football team along with Mr. Bishop and Mr. Mc Carville congratulated Robbie on his outstanding achievement ‘this is a fantastic honour for Robbie and our school and one of which we in Our Lady’s are justifiably and extremely proud. Robbie has and continues to be an excellent ambassador for Gaelic games in the school and is a great role model 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 such a prestigious level and I have no doubt that with continued hard work and application that Robbie has a great future ahead of him in Gaelic Games. The high levels of success we have enjoyed in GAA in recent years is a testimony to the talent and ability of our students but also to the great work done by all teachers involved in coaching & promoting Gaelic Games’.