Miscellaneous

Active School Flag for Physical Education in Castleisland

June 19th, 2012
by Weeshie Fogarty

 It was for me one of those memorable Kerry occasion which come from nowhere and more or less passes by without any massive publicity or emphasis on its great importance and historical value in relation to the grass roots of the GAA in this county. The occasion was the raising of the Active School Flag for Physical Education at the Boys National School Castleisland last Friday. It was a far cry from the drama and heart ache of the Munster semi final the previous Sunday and for a number of the defeated Kerry players who were in attendance it must have proved a welcome relief. They were there doing their Kerry duty, taking time out from their daily work as they participated in the raising of this national awarded flag. They could not indeed be farther away from the maddening crowd and it was very evident as they posed for photographs, signed autographs and jerseys and chatted to one and all that they more than anyone else were fully aware they were among their own. Irrespective of the defeat the previous Sunday which has been the cause of much soul searching in many quarters this for me, here in this little Castleisland school yard was what Kerry tradition, greatness and future was all about.

This was the handing down of tradition, the passing of the torch from old to young, the deep sense of awareness for these young Kerry boys that they were indeed a part of something special.  Occasions such as this when Kerry players visit the county's schools is much more important and completely overlooked in my opinion than the continuous analysis, recriminations, blame game and weeping and gnashing of teeth we listen to and read about on a continuous basis in press, radio and television. There is much, much more to Kerry football and win, lose or draw such occasions as what I witnessed at Castleisland Boys National School leaves a deep sense of satisfaction, pride and great admiration as to what teachers and pupils value most of all. Their school motto as explained to me by exemplary Principle Denis Griffin speaks for itself. "To live a full life as a child and to realize his potential as a unique individual. To develop as a social being, through living and co-operating with others and so contribute to the good of society to prepare for further education and lifelong learning".      

Kieran Donaghy, Colm Cooper, Paddy Curtin, Barry John Keane, Peter Crowley and Padraig Reidy were welcomed to the school yard by cheering staff and the seventy boy pupils all royally dressed in their green and gold jerseys. The defeat by Cork in that Munster semi final and indeed the manner of the defeat which has been the topic for all Kerry supporters far and wide seemed a million miles away as the warmth of the reception afforded the players was indeed very touching. This school like all in Kerry is a warm welcoming place and that is so evident once you step inside its doors and there is a great relationship between staff, parents and community.  One of the teachers Orla Nelligan, relation of Kerrys legendary goalkeeper Charlie is one of the teachers behind this wonderful achievement in been awarded the Active School Flag and she with all the other staff left no stone unturned to make this day a memorable occasion.  There were speeches, words of thanks, music, presentations to all the players and one of the highlights was the performing of the renowned All Blacks pre match war dance The Hakka in which all the boys participated. It was stirring stuff indeed. And a student from 3rd class Dane Hewitt gave a beautiful rendering of the late Garry McMahon's poem, "The Kingdome's Green and Gold".

The school has a great history of GAA involvement. Paddy Brosnan of Kilmurry, Castleisland, was the principal for over thirty years up to his retirement in 1981 and had a very high reputation as a teacher. Born in Dingle in 1917 he was one of six children and a brother of the late Sean Brosnan who played centerfield on the great Kerry team of the late 1930s and early 1940s. He had a distinguished playing career in both football and hurling in his college days and later he played football with Clann Na Gael in Dublin and with his native Dingle before joining the Cordal GAA club in 1940. He played on the Cordal team that won the Castleisland District League in 1941 on the Castleisland district team that won the Intermediate County Championship in 1942. When he finally hung up his boots he remained very involved in the club and served as its chairman for a time. Paddy died in 2010 aged ninety two years.

Another historic Kerry football connection with this outstanding school was the towering midfielder of the fifties, Dermot Hanafin who like Paddy Brosnan before him was also Principle of the school. The midfielder won an All-Ireland SFC medal with the Kingdom in 1953 and, poignantly, he passed away during the same weekend as the legendary John Egan in April of this year. Dermot, who was 84, was born in Fenit but spent most of his working life in Castleisland, where. He won a county SFC with Castleisland District in 1950 - their only such success.

He made eight championship appearances for his county, collecting Munster souvenirs in 1950, '51 and '53. His son Dermot Jnr. Who was also a pupil at this school also represented the Kingdom and was part of the All-Ireland winning squad in 1986.

And so this much coveted Active School Flag for Physical Education will fly proudly over Castleisland Boys National School for the next twelve months. In this day and age when physical education is so crucial in the promotion of health and well being of our children school Principle Denis Griffin and his exemplary staff can take a bow and bask in the glory of a wonderful achievement for their school. In a sporting capacity I am fortunate to visit many schools in this county and I never cease to be amazed at the voluntary, unselfish, and dedicated after hours work which our teachers undertake on a continuous basis. There's more to life and Kerry football than winning and losing. Last Friday's beautiful simple event in Castleisland once again copper fashioned this for me. And to see what Kerry football, its players and all it stands for means to schools such as Castleisland and the warmth of generosity and their welcome to Gooch, Star and other players is a far, far, cry from the criticism, bad press and downright offensive, over the top comments I have listened to from Joe Brolly on the Sunday Game. In my book everything must be kept in perspective that is the bottom line.


Sections

Search Articles



 
Radio Kerry - The Voice of the Kingdom