Dr Tim Horgan – Past Pupil
I STARTED there around 1965-’ 66 and I have nothing but good memories of the place. It’s changed so much from my time and there was certainly no astro turf pitches in my day. I remember there was one ball between the whole school at lunchtime and obviously the older stu- I WAS there from 1974 to 1980. There was lots of green patches around the school at that time and it really has developed since. It always felt like we had great freedom at the time and everyone walked or cycled to school. I also recall huge camaraderie after school playing football in the Brandon carpark. We used to play in the schoolyard but we broke a window so we were advised to move to the carpark!
Br Kevin Murray stands out for me as he was a genius at teaching mathematics. He was probably the most influential teacher for a generation of pupils and the school had a great reputation for producing people in professions which are maths related. Br Murray was the man who set them all on their way and we always took for granted that we were going to do well at maths as he made it all seem so easy.
The friends I had in school I will never make friendships like again, as there’s no preconceptions or anything like that. Irrespective of your background, you always shared a lot of values with your school friends. When I went to university in 1980 I noticed that the school had given us a huge sense of self-confidence which was very important for when we hit college as we met people from fee-paying schools who exuded confidence. But given our background in the Green, we knew we were that bit better.
My time there was very enjoyable and the Christian Brothers added a dimension that maybe isn’t there at the moment. There was no school uniforms in my time and I recall Br Murray saying this was a good thing as it promoted individuality among students. All in all, it was a school that instilled great pride and self-confidence in its pupils. dents were getting all the ball. On the odd occasion I think I got lucky when a ball broke my way, it was great fun.
It’s a very famous school and so many academics have come from there over the years, which is testament to the teaching staff. It’s a place that seems to continuously thrive in terms of its academic and sporting achievements.
I met so many friends during my time in the Green and even though you wouldn’t see them that often, there’s always that lifelong connection through those school days. I was at a National League game earlier this year and I was told there was a guy outside the dressing room who wanted to meet me. It was a former school friend of mine from the Green who had been living in Roscommon for 30 years. Those kind connections are great.
In terms of my playing career, the Green had a major influence. I received great coaching from the Brothers and teachers and my only regret is that I didn’t win a Munster Colleges as we were beaten in two finals. The likes of Br Tobin, Br Murray and Mick Laide were great trainers. They gave us a great grounding which I think stood to us later in life, as well as on the pitch.
It’s a school that always instilled great discipline and I have lovely memories of it. I wish them every success in the future and maybe they might win a Munster Colleges this year. I always like to keep an eye on the football hoping they go from strength to strength. of