A new era for sport in Gaelcholáiste Dhoire

The 2023/24 school year marks a major milestone in the continued development of sports within Gaelcholáiste Dhoire.

TOP-TIER HURLING

The Gaelcholáiste’s defeat of Acquinas Grammar school on 18th December 2023 must go down as one of the major achievements of GAA Colleges in many years.

The Gaelcholáiste won the Casement Shield in 2022 to progress to the second-tier competition and now, less than a year later, have won the opportunity to compete in Ulster’s top tier competition at senior level when they will play in the Mageean Cup next year!

This win will also earn the Gaelcholáiste an All-Ireland Semi-final place against the Connaght champions on 2nd March.

This is an incredible achievement and when you consider that the school has less than 25 boys in Years 13 and 14 combined - a true fairytale story of success against all odds and testament to the leadership, confidence and commitment that the Gaelcholáiste instils in these young Gaels.

The School’s year 12’s have already been competing in the top tier this year and just last week won their first Grade A hurling match against Antrim’s Cross and Passion College.

Altogether the school has won 6 Ulster titles in 2022/23 and is well on the way to match that record this year as well.

With only 315 pupils the Gaelcholáiste is clearly punching well above its weight on the sporting field at all levels.

Senior Hurling Captain Mikey Ó Dúill Ó Cinnéide with the Casement Cup in December 2023

Derry and Sleacht Néill Allstar, Shane McGuigan visited the school to congratulate the school in its sporting achievements and to give a few words of wisdom to the Senior Hurling team in their up-coming All Ireland Quarter Final.

Captain of the Senior Hurling Team, Mikey Ó Dubhail Ó Cinnéide met with the Sleacht Néill dual player and updated him on the preparations that are underway for the match which will take place on 2nd March.

“I was between two minds when transferring to secondary school from Gaelscoil na Speiríní in Ballinascreen, I wanted to play sport at the highest level but was also interested in Irish- I have no regrets now” said the team captain and Future Stars Award winner, as he held on proudly to the Casement Cup.

GAELCHOLÁISTE DHOIRE’S NEW SPECIALIST SPORTS CENTRE

The Sporting achievements of the Gaelcholáiste over the last few years are all the more remarkable when you consider that the school has not had its own sporting facilities since it was set up in 2015.

Derry Allstar Shane McGuigan with Senior Hurlers visiting new sports facilites

This is set to change after Easter when the school takes possession of it’s the newly refurbished sports centre. This is the former Dungiven Sports Hall and has been refurbished at a cost of around £2 million.

The new facilities will make a massive difference to the school and will include a sports hall and new changing facilities as well as three additional classrooms and offices.

The faciliteis will also include an indoor four-wall handball court.

PE Teacher, Conor McAllister, himself a senior player for Sleacht Néill at hurling and football was extremely pleased to show McGuigan around the construction works and introduced his clubmate and fellow dual player to his GCSE Sports Studies class.

He spent some time with the Year 12s and some of them put challenging questions to the Derry star, in particular his younger sister, Niamh, who is a pupil at the school and although very proud of her older brother – did not give him an easy time!

Dungiven Pavillion which has been bought for the school and which is being currently refurbished

Gaelcholáiste Dhoire is growing at a fast rate and welcomes pupils from Derry county and city as well as some from Strabane and Ballycastle.

Sport is at the centre of the school and as the numbers of pupils attending the school increases the school looks forward to many more successful campaigns in the years ahead.