Luck of the Irish as Aureus Primary pupils win Gaelic football event

There were celebrations all round, when pupils from Aureus Primary in Didcot trounced their opponents in every match to win Oxfordshire’s first-ever Gaelic football event for schools.

The mixed team was one of 13 taking part in the tournament, and had only been playing together since October last year.

“Our team played three fantastic games – and won every single one of them,” said Sarah Beeton, Assistant Headteacher at Aureus.

“They opened with a dominant 3:12 to 0:0 victory (21-0), followed by a strong 1:6 to 0:2 win (9-2), and finished with an impressive 4:6 to 1:6 result (18-9).

“Key players were Haddy as an all-rounder, George R in goal, and Kameron for his sportsmanship.

“The support from our parents was incredible throughout the day, and we are unbelievably proud of how brilliantly the children performed, and the outstanding sportsmanship they showed in every match.

The event took place on 23 March at Oxford Sports Fields in Cowley, and was organised and hosted by Oxford’s Gaelic football team, Eire Og, who also provided coaching for the Aureus players.

“One of our teachers, Rosie Stainthorp, has ties to the Gaelic team, Eire Og, in Oxford, and she heard they were offering free coaching and applied for it,” continued Mrs Beeton.

“We then asked Year 5 and 6 children to sign up for it, and, when we had enough children, they sent us a coach, Keith Jackman, and a volunteer coach, Jake Donoghue, once a week for eight weeks. Then Jake and Rosie ran an after-school club for two terms.”

“Events like this are super important,” she added. “Our children are always eager to try something new, and it links to our values of teamwork, respect, responsibility, resilience, determination, and grit.”