SCHOOLCHILDREN from the nationalist and loyalist communities in Belfast joined together yesterday to display their hurling skills in an exhibition match at Croke Park.
Twenty boys and girls from four schools in east and west Belfast played against a team consisting of children from south Dublin national schools, as part of a community outreach initiative.
Lámh Dhearg, a hurling team for 11-year-olds, has been in existence for a year but is part of an initiative running for the last 10 years, aimed at bringing together the two communities.
The cross-community initiative is the brainchild of PJ O’Grady, principal of St Patrick’s College in north Belfast. He said: “It’s fantastic to see children from both sides wearing the same jersey and becoming teammates and friends.”
Lámh Dhearg’s trainer Declan McLarnan said Gaelic games should be enjoyed by everybody living on the island of Ireland.
“It’s really important that all children in Ireland have the opportunity to play the national game. If we can encourage the Protestant community in Belfast to play hurling it can only help to provide some future stars for Antrim.”
Terry Leathem, principal of Glenwood primary school on the Shankill Road, said the effort put into the initiative has been of mutual benefit to both communities.
“This initiative gives children an early education about the other community. Hopefully they will develop a good perspective of the culture and tradition of those living in the other community.
“An initiative like this only serves a positive purpose and I’m delighted to be a part of it. Some of the Protestant children on the team have no background in Gaelic games and are playing in Croke Park,” he said.
Seán and Maria McVeigh from the Falls Road in Belfast said the initiative helps to educate their son Sean Óg about the religious and cultural differences existing in Northern Ireland.
Mr McVeigh noted: “I’m only 31 years old and I can genuinely say I didn’t make Protestant friends until my early 20s, when I went to university.
“Initiatives like this are a small step in the right direction and sport, as we all know, can break down barriers.”