There was great excitement in Rath National School as a number of very special guests made an appearance yesterday.
This weekend is a massive one on the GAA front for this particular part of the county.
And two teams who will contest county finals on Saturday and Sunday have roots in the primary school.
Up first, St Conleth’s will look to defend their Laois Ladies SFC title when they face Portlaoise in Stradbally.
And then on Sunday, history will be made as Courtwood will play in the Laois SFC final for the first time with neighbours Portarlington their opponents.
We arrived early in the day and went class by class alongside principal Tommy Fitzgerald to capture photos of each group.
After that, all of the 200 plus students gathered in the school hall where their special guests arrived.
Courtwood captain Sean O’Flynn was joined by players Barry Donnelly, Colm Wilson, Adam O’Halloran, Rory Doyle, Alan Kinsella, Cian Doyle, Matthew Byron, Michael Doyle, Paul O’Flynn, Darragh McEvoy and David Duffy.
While St Conleth’s were represented by Claire O’Connell and Aoibhe Byron.
All are past pupils of the school while both Sean and Aoibhe addressed the children and thanked them for all of their support to date.
Among the sea of white, there was one Portarlington jersey that managed to sneak its way through.
Olivia Hudson, who works as an SNA, proudly wore her Port jersey and is pictured below alongside fellow SNA Shirley Little (mother of players Ryan and Nathan).
Mairéad McCormack, Deputy Principal, and her 2nd Class students, alongside SNA Aisling Byrne, composed a song which they performed for everyone.
Both teams promised to return to the school on Monday with their respective cups should they be successful.
And with the promise of ‘no homework’ attached to that – all of the children will be shouting both teams on that little bit louder at the weekend.
Check out some great pictures below:
