CLASS OF 1996 LINING OUT FOR TOMBRACK NS
WHILE we all remain hopeful of a long, successful summer of Championship hurling this year, there will be a return to the glory days of 1996 at Tombrack NS on June 15 as members of that heroic hurling panel line out alongside each other once again to officially launch the school’s new astro turf pitch.
Among those due to take part on the day are the likes of Martin Storey, Liam Dunne, Ger Cushe, Billy Byrne and the Guineys and they will take on a local selection which includes parents and people connected to the school. While the All-Ireland winners may not be as agile as they were on those heady summer days of 22 years ago, they are said to be looking forward to getting back on the pitch together and are hoping that youth is no match for skill!
‘ There is a great buzz around it and people are really looking forward to it,’ said Principal Alice Doyle. ‘As well as having the ‘96 team, we’re going to have James Owens as ref and Liam Spratt on commentary. I think we’ve got 11 or 12 of the team signed up already and two or three more are trying to make it. We’ll also have the GAA President John Horan coming to officially open the pitch which is huge for us.’
For a two teacher school of fifty pupils, the achievement of getting this new astro turf pitch up and running is a huge one - particularly when you take into account that they did it completely by themselves.
‘We’ve done this completely on our own,’ Ms Doyle said. ‘We’ve done a lot of fundraising in the local community and we’ve been saving for years. A huge effort has gone in, but we have a wonderful school community here. We’ve also been able to put in a little garden and a new car park and we’re hoping that it will provide a huge lift to the area.’
The official opening of the pitch will take place at 7.30 p.m. on June 15, followed by the all important match and All-Ireland reunion at 8 p.m.