Munster Rugby visit Curraghagalla NS

Pupils in Curraghagalla NS were delighted to be visited by Munster Rugby players Jane Clohessy and Roman Salanoa on Wednesday morning, as part of Laya Healthcare’s Super Troopers programme.

Scheduled to arrive at 10.30am, some jokes were made about rugby players only being able to run in a straight line as both got lost on their way to Curraghagalla, ending up in Kilworth first, while later someone mentioned Glanworth! All was well eventually though and the players joined many of the young pupils in the school for a ‘Q&A’ before some fun in the yard.

Jane Clohessy, the daughter of Peter Clohessy, encouraged the pupils to ‘try everything and try something new!’.

Ms Clohessy told the intrigued pupils how she had only started playing rugby two and a half years ago and ‘ absolutely loves it’, quitting both GAA and basketball to play, after a childhood playing anything she could, including horseriding.

Mr Salanoa meanwhile, told the children how he was born and raised in Hawaii and so his sports of choice were basketball, American football, surfing and bodyboarding. However, among his other talents, he confessed to considering himself a ‘professional darts player’, as well as an avid fan of the videogame Fortnite!

The first questions the pupils asked concerned food and calories and it was quickly and clearly explained to them by Jane that the calories are very different depending on your size and what you do, showing that both she and Roman would eat differently. When asked about yoga, she explained how mobility training is essential and how other players would meditate sometimes in the dressing room to visualise aspects of the game.

For their part, amongst the children in Curraghagalla there were GAA players, camogie players, some pupils had just completed a seven-week swimming course and there was even an orange belt in karate amongst their numbers.

This year the Laya Super Troopers programme celebrates 10 years and claims to have benefited over one million children and their families, in instilling healthy habits for life, looking at mental wellbeing, physical wellbeing and nutrition.

(Photo Joleen Cronin) Pictured at Curraghagalla NS, Kilworth on Wednesday are Munster Rugby players Roman Salanoa and Jane Clohessy with pupils, l-r: Ciara Linehan, 6th class; Maeve Casey, 4th class; Leo O’Driscoll, 5th class; Ciarán King, 4th class and Colette Crowley, teacher.