The legacy of the development of Gaelic games initiated by former principal at St Paul’s, Mr Oliver Mooney, is being further developed by his successor and highly respected GAA official and television pundit Jarlath Burns in the announcement of the launch of the first second level GAA Academy on the 1st September.

This pioneering initiative coincides with the celebration of the highly successful South Armagh schools golden jubilee as this year’s first class mirror, the trip undertaken fifty years ago by the school’s first ever intake. In the interim St Paul’s has established itself as a nursery for Armagh football and this is extending to pupils in the South Down area who take advantage of the school’s BTEC Sport course for post 16 pupils.

The Academy in association with both the Ulster Council and the Armagh county board will provide opportunities for the students to develop their skills as players, coaches and administrators. As players the boys will have the chance to prepare for and play in the MacRory Cup, the second most important competition in the Ulster Councils annual calendar while the girls will play in the Ulster Ladies U20 Competition.

Since entering the MacRory Cup four years ago having previously won the All-Ireland Colleges B competition in 2012, the school has established itself as competitive having reached two finals and a semi-final in their first four years.

All-Ireland winning captain from 2012 Michael Murphy gave his backing to the academy saying, “I think the Academy is a brilliant idea for the development of the GAA, while providing students with A level equivalents which can be used as a stepping stone for higher education.”

The course will give pupils with four passes at GCSE (or the equivalent) an opportunity to continue their education on to third level in all the local Universities, as well as the chance to study in England and the Republic of Ireland.

St Mary’s University College PE lecturer and All-Ireland winning coach Paddy Tally confirmed his support of the idea commenting that, “This fantastic initiative will provide a range of opportunities to the pupils of St Paul’s to engage on a path of learning and personal development. The outcome of this will invariable lead to a lifelong sense of connection, leadership and affinity to the GAA.

The academy is set to build upon the large number of past pupil’s from St Paul’s who have gone on to represent Armagh at minor, U21 and senior inter-county level. In 2015 the school provided 26 players and this year more than 20 members of the county panels were past pupils of St Paul’s.

Current Armagh senior player Ciaron O’Hanlon is a past pupil of the school who successfully completed the BTEC Sport course and he shared the enthusiasm of the others when told about the new Academy going on to say, “From being a past pupil within St Paul’s it is fantastic to see that the school are making progressive steps forward in providing pupils who are the future of the GAA opportunities to become better players, coaches and administrators within their clubs and counties.”

The course provides a broad range of learning opportunities for its participants in conjunction with both the Ulster Council and Armagh County board, including- introduction to Handball, Handball Foundation Award, Concussion Awareness Workshop, Anti-doping Workshop, Performance Lifestyle Workshop, Football & Hurling Foundation, Safeguarding in Sport, Go Games Referee Course, Introduction to Fitness Testing and Introduction to Video Analysis.

The class will also undertake the foundation coaching course and an outreach placement in local feeder primary schools while studying a sports based course with the equivalent recognition of three A levels that is recognised by all local Universities. Principal, Mr Jarlath Burns launched the Academy saying, “this is an exciting development in the on-going evolution of Gaelic games in our school. Our local clubs and communities will benefit greatly from the skills and values nurtured by the Academy.”

Following the GCSE results being announced on 25th August any student who meets the entrance criteria of 4 passes at GCSE and is interested in following a sports course with the equivalence of three A levels that is recognised by local Universities, and has a strong history and interest in Gaelic games is encouraged to contact St Paul’s for an application form.