It was an assembly with a difference on Thursday morning at Our Lady’s Primary School, Tullysaran as several special guests arrived to celebrate their Vice Principal’s role in bringing Armagh to an All Ireland victory.
Pupils from P6 to P7 formed a guard of honour as St Jarlath’s Independent Pipe Band led Vice Principal and Armagh Captain Aidan Forker, accompanied by team mates Stefan Campbell and Niall Grimley, to the assembly hall with the coveted Sam Maguire cup in hand.
Applause erupted as the cohort joined the rest of the school and faculty in the hall where they then greeted special guests First Minister Michelle O’Neill, Lord Mayor Sarah Duffy, former All-Ireland winner and MLA Justin McNulty and Father Barry.
Pupils from the school were given the opportunity to engage in a Q&A with the champions and their guests before delighting them with a specially prepared poetry reading and a number of well rehearsed musical numbers.
The First Minister took a few minutes to speak of her delight at being invited to the special assembly saying: “I know when I look around the room I’m looking at future stars. People are going to take to the field and make our country proud.
“I wanted to be here this morning because I wanted to be part of your celebration. I’m from a neighbouring community. Don’t hold that against me! It is just such a good occasion and we are all so proud of the Armagh team for taking us to an All-Ireland victory during the summer.
“I just wanted to say to you this morning that you’re all brilliant. Remember you can be anything you want to be in life. You all can be All-Ireland stars and I believe there’s many more in the room.”
Mr Forker shared similar words of encouragement, adding: “I keep harping on about the importance of hard work and practice.
“I didn’t win too much coming up in under age but it was all worth it when we became All-Ireland champions.
“Don’t think you’re not good at something. If you really love it and you really want to do well in it, practice and work hard every day.
The children were then taken outside for class photographs with the guests and the Sam Maguire cup before enjoying a ‘fun day’ with bouncy castles and ice-cream.
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