Over 500 children from 28 Birmingham primary schools took to the Gaelic football field on the 24th and 25th May as part of the record breaking West Midlands Schools GAA (W.M.S.G.A.A) scheme.
The WMSGAA, based at Bishop Challoner Catholic School in Kings Heath (Birmingham), is one of three schools GAA boards in the midlands who are responsible for Gaelic football in 78 primary and secondary schools. The scheme now in its 5th year of school and local club development has introduced Gaelic Games to over 14,000 young people. This years ‘Gaelic Football in schools’ initiative kicked off in March with 28 Birmingham schools involved in a 10 week porgramme. The scheme culminated with each school taking to the field in a bid to clinch the championship cup and shield titles. Due to the popularity of Gaelic sports with primary school children in the Midlands, two competitions were organised: the West Midlands Schools GAA Championship (Tuesday 24th May) and Birmingham Catholic Schools Championship (Wednesday 25th May).

Boys in Green - Newman College and WMSGAA Referees James Devane, John Gormley, Chris Bolger and John Whyte	Harp Shield Winners Rosary RC School

Tuesday 24th May saw 16 teams from 10 primary schools descend on Pairc Na h’Eireann for the WMSGAA festival. Last years winners Green Meadow (A), Winterfold House (A) and Our Lady of Compassion set the early pace with a 100% record in the group stages and guaranteed a place in the quarter finals. They were joined by St. Thomas, St Augustine’s, St. Andrews, Winterfold House (B) and Green Meadow (B) to complete the last eight line up.
The two Winterfold House school teams, who had benefited from the expert coaching of Meath born teacher Julie Breen, booked a place in the semi- finals with wins over St Andrews and Green Meadow (B). Our Lady of Compassion and Green Meadow (A) also progressed to the last four. Both semi-final games produced some exciting displays of Gaelic football but in the end Our Lady of Compassion defeated Winterfold House (B) 2-5 to 1-0 and Winterfold House (A) edged clear of Green Meadow (A) 2-3 to 0-1 to secure a place in the championship finals. The WMSGAA championship cup finals saw two past winners come face to face- 2003 winners Our Lady of Compassion School and Winterfold House champion-ship cup winners of 2001. The game got off to a flying start with both teams looking to clinch some early scores. However, it was Winterfold House who dictated much of the play with ‘Boy Player of the Tournament’ Charles Newbold in inspirational form. Winterfold continued to push forward and managed to score an impressive 3 goals whilst Our Lady of Compassion struggled to gain possession. For much of the game Winterfold held on to their lead despite a late comeback from Our Lady of Compassion. The final score was Winterfold House 3-0 Our Lady of Compassion 1-1.

Catholic Cup Winners St. Catherine of Siena RC School	New Kids on the Block - Grendan Primary, taking part in their first School’s GAA event

The Championship Shield final was an equally exciting game. The final saw Wheeler Lane come up against a young St. Andrew’s team. Both teams had produced some fine displays in the quarter final and semi-final stages. But the final was to be a rather one sided affair. The attacking style of a well organised Wheeler Lane team was too much for the St. Andrews side. The game finished Wheeler Lane 5-18 St Andrews 1-0. Warwickshire GAA Juvenile President Tony Donaghue was on hand to present the trophies, with each player receiving a special participation certificate courtesy.

Player of the WMSGAA Championship - Charlie Newbold & Bethany Heskett, pictured here with Warwickshire GAA Juvenile President Tony O'Donoghue	WMSGAA Championship Cup Winners, Winterfold House

On Wednesday 25th May, 18 primary schools took to fields of Pairc Na h’Eireann for the Birmingham Catholics Schools Championship. A joint effort by the WMSGAA and the Birmingham Catholic Schools Sports Association, the festival kicked off at 1pm with an exciting opening ceremony. The teams soon took to the field for the group stages. All eyes were on 2004 winners St. Dunstan’s and they didn’t disappoint with Niall Gilbride, John McEvoy and Letisha Hutchinson to name but a few players who rose to the championship occasion. St. Dunstan’s were one of 5 elite teams to come through the group stages unbeaten, others included- St. Bernard’s, Our Lady of Lourdes, St. Martin De Porres and St Catherine of Siena. They were joined in the championship quarter finals by St. Brigid’s, St Edwards (Selly Oak) and St. Peter and St. Paul. The quarter finals saw comfortable wins for St Catherine’s, St. Dunstan’s, Our Lady Lourdes but St. Bernard’s just managed to scrap through after a one point win over St. Brigid’s. The semi-final saw St. Dunstan’s paired with Our Lady of Lourdes and St. Catherine’s face St. Bernard’s. The St. Dunstan’s team continued their rich vein of form by defeating the Our Lady of Lourdes by 0-9 to 0-0, but St. Catherine’s had a more difficult task and only managed to edge clear of an exceptional St. Bernard’s team by one point in a game which ended 0-1 to 0-0. The championship final lived up to all expectations with both teams finishing level at full time and extra time was needed to separate the teams. On the final whistle an athletic St. Catherine of Siena snatched victory, in only their second Gaelic football championship, with a final score of 1-4 to 1-3.
The Harp Shield competition saw the Rosary RC School come up against St. Ambrose Barlow. The game was packed full of exciting moments but ‘Girl Player of the Tournament’ Aoife Mannion could do nothing to stop her St. Ambrose Barlow team lose to an determined Rosary side. The final score was Rosary School 2-2 St Ambrose Barlow 0-2. The Catholic Cup concluded with words from Catholic Schools Gaelic Co-ordinator Tony Kenny.
The West Midlands Schools GAA would like to kindly thank the event sponsors for making the championship events possible- The Irish Youth Foundation, The Irish Fund of Great Britain, The GAA of Ireland and Bishop Challoner Catholic School.