Manguard Plus GAA Centre of Excellence, Newbridge, Co Kildare: Saturday, March 23 - 4pm

School is proud of this team sporting the Boherbue colours

BOHERBUE Comprehensive School is currently in a state of excitement ahead of the All Ireland Colleges Senior Football Championship Final.

Indeed the school’s march to the showpiece decider is creating an exciting buzz in the area, according to school principal Vera Leader.

“They are super lads, they put in a huge effort since the start of the school year and I am delighted for them,” she said. “We are tremendously proud of the team and panel of players.

“This is a tremendous achievement for them, given the fact that they are taking on and beating much larger schools. All involved are a credit to their families, to their school, clubs and to surrounding community.

“We would like to thank all those who came to support the team to date - that support was very much appreciated and, hopefully, we can get a large following to the final.”

The school is indebted to the support of business, clubs and the Duhallow Junior Board on the provision of much needed sponsorship. Apart from the all important academic side of school life, a significant effort has also gone into promoting recreational and sporting activity.

“It is a fantastic achievement for the school and for the local clubs represented on the panel. I’d like to thank the clubs in our catchment area, the work that they are putting in at underage level gives us the opportunity to put together a strong and well-balanced school team,” said the school principal.

“They are a fantastic group of lads on and off the field, and I am immensely proud of how they have represented the school.”

From the current school year, talented athlete Saoirse Tompkins took runner up place in the Junior Girls South Munster Schools Cross- Country Championship in a field of 69 runners. For good measure, Saoirse won the Munster Junior Indoor Championships at distances 600m and 1200 metres.

Meanwhile, in handball, Darragh Ducey and Aidan Linehan reached the All-Ireland Intermediate Doubles semi-finals and in wheelchair basketball the TY’s reached the final of the regional finals, losing by the narrowest of margins.

Tina Dunstan: “Getting to the all Ireland is a great testament to the commitment that Mr Roche has given to these young men. The school has always supported extra curricular activities and helped ensure holistic development. The local clubs and coaches must be really proud of all their players, represented on the squad.”

Celine O’Connor: “We were all thrilled to see this talented team progress so wonderfully so far, and we wish them the very best of luck in the All Ireland.”

DJ McSweeney, Comprehensive School Deputy Principal: “We are absolutely delighted to be in an All Ireland Final. A huge thanks to Kevin Roche and every member of the Senior Boys football panel for the hard work they have put in to training all year and their outstanding performances on the pitch. We wish them the very best in the final.”

Declan O’Keeffe, CEO, Boherbue Co-Op: “Boherbue Co-op and Supervalu Boherbue are delighted to be associated with Boherbue Comprehensive School. The success of the team has brought great pride to the wider Boherbue community. The panel of players under the guidance of the dedicated teaching staff deserve our heartfelt congratulations and support”.

Kevin Roche, team manager: “It is a fantastic achievement for the school and for the local clubs represented on the panel. I’m looking forward to the game already, and I hope the lads are too. These opportunities don’t come around too often - you have to enjoy the occasion when they do”.

Colm O’Connor, Boherbue GAA Club: “As a former Chairman of Boherbue GAA Club, I want to congratulate all involved on behalf of the club. This is a massive achievement for the players, their families, the school and indeed the wider community. We wish them the very best of luck in the final”.

Boherbue Comprehensive School principal Vera Leader.