Cumann na mBunscol Exhibition | Pearse Stadium | May 19th, 2013

The boys from Cumann na mBunscol Maigh Eo in Pearse Staduim
The boys from Cumann na mBunscol Maigh Eo in Pearse Staduim
The girls from Cumann na mBunscol Maigh Eo in Pearse Staduim
The girls from Cumann na mBunscol Maigh Eo in Pearse Staduim

20 children from schools all around Mayo participated in Sunday’s Cumann na mBunscol Exhibition in Pearse Stadium, Galway.

The children met Cumann na mBunscol representatives at the Áras before being presented with their full Mayo kits and taking their seats in the Pearse Stadium Stand.

Backstage: The Mayo Cumann na mBunscol Girls watching the Mayo senior team warm up before thier clash with Galway.
Backstage: The Mayo Cumann na mBunscol Girls watching the Mayo senior team warm up before thier clash with Galway.

The first task was to welcome the Mayo and Galway senior teams onto the field of play. An unexpected highlight of the day came when Mayo Manager, James Horan, took a few minutes to greet the young players from both Galway and Mayo. No doubt he was sizing up a few stars of the future! This was a lovely touch from James, and made the occasion all the more special for the children.

Mayo Cumann na mBunscol children form their Guard of Honour in Pearse Staduim.
Mayo Cumann na mBunscol children form their Guard of Honour in Pearse Staduim.

While the main event of the day proved to be something of a let down (although not from a Mayo perspective!), the half-time exhibition game played by the children of Mayo and Galway was anything but.

The patrons were treated to a fine exhibition of all that is good about football. We saw beautiful scores, pin-point passes and wonderful blocks, all while encompassing the “Give Respect, Get Respect” ideals. Click here for a full list of Mayo players.

Action from the boys' exhibition game in Pearse Stadium.
Action from the boys’ exhibition game in Pearse Stadium.
Action from the girls' exhibition game in Pearse Stadium
Action from the girls’ exhibition game in Pearse Stadium

We would like to thank the Connacht Council for allowing the children and their families this fantastic experience, the Mayo County Board for supplying the team kits, and above all else, the teachers and coaches throughout Mayo for their continued dedication to the promotion of our games.

We would also like to thank our counterparts in Cumann na mBunscol Gaillimh, Cyril Mannion and his colleagues for looking after us so well during the day.

Mayo Cumann na mBunscol girls on the big screen in Pearse Stadium
Mayo Cumann na mBunscol girls on the big screen in Pearse Stadium

Next up for our exhibitions is our meeting with Roscommon in McHale Park on June 16th.

Danny Charlton

James Feeney

Christine Gordon