Dundalk Grammar students protest over GAA ban

On Friday, students from Dundalk Grammar School gathered once again outside the front gates in protest of what they say is the school’s decision to ban Gaelic football. The protest, which took place in front of the Old Louth Hospital building, was held by senior students who are pushing for the sport’s inclusion in the school’s sport curriculum.

This is the second major protest following a similar demonstration on 20th May, when students walked out of class and staged a match on the school’s astroturf pitch. Despite calls from students, parents, and teachers, the school’s Board of Governors has so far remained firm in its decision.

According to organisers, a recent survey revealed that over 400 students, 90% of teachers, and the Parent-Teacher Association backed the introduction of Gaelic football.

Students say the ban has not been explained by the Board of Governors, though they have cited insurance concerns in letters sent to teachers involved with the team.

The protest comes after numerous attempts to resolve the issue with parents offering to sponsor equipment and cover insurance costs, while Louth GAA has stepped in to provide resources and support.

A team was entered into the Lennon Cup, a local competition, but was forced to withdraw after receiving a letter from the Chairperson of the Board of Governors stating that Gaelic football is a non-sanctioned sport and students would not be insured to play.

Cian Spaight, a sixth-year student and one of the protest organisers, expressed his frustration with the school’s lack of response.

“We’re looking for reasons as to why we’re not allowed to play Gaelic football and why there’s a ban on it and why we can’t play it.

“We’ve had no reason at all. Every reply has kind of been similar, saying Gaelic football will not be sanctioned right now but might be in the near future. But that’s not much use to us, because the Lennon Cup competition that we’re trying to enter will be wrapped up before Christmas.

“We actually ended up playing. We played our first game against Ballymakenny and it was our first time playing together and everyone enjoyed it. The feeling was unbelievable to be out there playing with your mates.

“To be told a week later that we were to be forced to be withdrawn from the competition, it annoyed everyone, teachers, students and parents. We just want to get back to playing ourselves.

“Every Friday we’re planning on protesting until we get some sort of indication [that there will be movement] or that the ban gets lifted. The maximum number of games we can play in the competition is four, and that’s if we get to the final, that’s all we want to do, play Gaelic football.

“A week’s time would be our next game against Dunleer and to be fair to Dunleer and the Bush, they’ve delayed our games as much as they can to try to give us time to play in the competition and credit to them.”

Louth GAA President, Sean McClean, addressed the students during Friday’s protest, said:

“It’s a pity we have to be here today to have a protest like this. Louth GAA fully supports you here and fully supports the protest that you’re making.

“If there’s anything we can do to help or any roadblocks that need moving, we’re certainly more than willing to back you and help you with facilities, equipment, gear and scheduling games, whatever it needs.

“We will work with you to try and make this happen.

“We’ve put a fairly extensive schools programme in place for all schools in this county and there’s no reason that your school should be excluded from that programme.

“We fully appreciate you coming out here to back GAA games.”

Local Sinn Féin TD, Ruairí Ó Murchú, was also present at the protest. He commended the students’ efforts, stating: “They have tried absolutely everything and so have parents, so have Louth GAA, so has anyone who has been involved in this in relation to trying to solve this without having to resort to protest.

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“But unfortunately, there is no choice. It is utterly unbelievable that we have kids here in the modern age that want to play a sport, that want to play Gaelic football in the town of Dundalk and they’re not being facilitated.

“We know that Louth GAA, the Gaels locally and everyone that possibly can is trying to facilitate taking all the issues off in relation to insurance and all the rest of it.

“This is one of these issues where I’ve been contacted by multiple students, parents and by teachers so I do not see what the roadblock is, there is nobody who can defend this position.

“I realise that the media are looking for an answer from the school board, but what we need to happen here is we need them to revisit this, and we need to allow these students to not only play sport, to not only play Gaelic football, but to brilliantly represent their school. That’s what they’re trying to do, represent their school.

“We need to follow on with this protest until Gaelic football is allowed in Dundalk Grammar School.”
Dundalk Grammar School were contacted for comment but had not replied at the time of going to print.