Dec 12,2024
Dundalk Grammar School in Co Louth will introduce Gaelic football for senior cycle students from next year.
Students had previously staged protests over the refusal by school management to allow them to participate in the sport and compete in school competitions.
Senior students had launched a campaign to have Gaelic games included in the list of sports played at the fee-paying school, which according to its website is "one of a small number of schools in the Republic of Ireland which are under Protestant management."
Dundalk Grammar School GAA team issued an update to confirm that Gaelic football will be played by both boys and girls in senior cycle only from 2025 onwards.
A friendly game is due to be played this academic year and the school team will be permitted to enter the Lennon Cup competition next year.
Girls will also have the opportunity to compete from the 2025/26 academic year.
The team says this decision follows a series of productive meetings held between them, school staff and the Board of Governors.
In a statement issued this evening, the team thanked all those who supported their campaign along the way.
"We want to express our gratitude to those who supported our efforts, especially Ruairí Ó Murchú TD, who played a pivotal role in raising awareness of their campaign in the Dáil.
"We are deeply grateful to Ruairí Ó Murchú TD for his unwavering support throughout our campaign.
"We would also like to express our thanks to students from other schools who signed petitions in solidarity with our campaign, led by Alex McArdle.
"In addition, we would like that thank Louth GAA Chairman Sean McClean and the entire Louth GAA community for their ongoing support and encouragement throughout the process.
"Their backing has been instrumental in bringing this initiative to fruition.
"Starting in 2025, the school will begin organising teams and coaching for both boys and girls in preparation for competition at senior level," the statement concluded.
