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24 Mar 2026

Ireland captain Nathan Collins surprises students from his former primary school in Kildare

Students from Scoil Bhríde in Leixlip got a surprise during their visit to the Sky Up Academy Studios when Republic of Ireland captain and Kildare man Nathan Collins dropped in

Ireland captain Nathan Collins surprises students from his former primary school in Kildare

Republic of Ireland captain Nathan Collins with students from Scoil Bhríde in Leixlip, Co. Kildare

Reporter:

Daragh Nolan

24 Mar 2026 4:33 PM

Students from Scoil Bhríde in Leixlip, Co. Kildare got the surprise of a lifetime during their visit to the Sky Up Academy Studios in Dublin, when one of the school’s most famous alumni, Republic of Ireland captain Nathan Collins, dropped in ahead of a crucial World Cup qualification week.
In a video released by Sky, football‑mad students from third to fifth class arrived at the Sky Up studio in Dublin City Centre expecting to film a news report and record a message of support for the Boys in Green. Instead, they were stunned when Nathan walked through the door to say hello to them and their teachers.
Once the initial shock wore off, the students proudly showed Nathan everything they had learned about newsroom skills and media production as part of the programme. They then put him through his paces in a studio interview - asking hard‑hitting questions such as: “Who’s taller, you or Ronaldo?” and “How many goals are you going to score against Czechia?”
Speaking on the experience, Tina Lynch, teacher at Scoil Bhríde said: “It was an amazing day for our students. To see Nathan, someone who once sat in the same classrooms as our students do now, walk through the door was a moment they’ll never forget. The Sky Up Academy Studios experience is already incredible, but having Nathan show up and spend some time with them on made it truly special. It’s a day they’ll be talking about for a very long time. We’re so proud of Nathan and all he has achieved and we’ll all be cheering the Boys in Green on in Prague this week.”
The Sky Up Academy Studios’ outreach programme empowers primary and secondary school students with essential digital skills and fosters a greater understanding of career opportunities in the media and TV industry. You can view Sky’s video here.
To find out more about the Sky Up Academy Studios programme, including where teachers can sign their own classes up to the programme, visit www.skyup.sky/academy-studios/dublin.
Sky is the proud Primary Partner of the Republic of Ireland Women’s and Men’s National Football Teams. The Republic of Ireland Men’s National Team face Czechia in Prague in their World Cup 2026 qualification semi‑final play‑off on Thursday,  March 26 at 7.45pm.
Sky Up Academy Studios provides students with a hands‑on experience in media creation, allowing them to take on real media roles and produce their own news reports on themes such as Our Planet, Our Future, Our Wellbeing, and Our Society. The programme encourages collaboration, creativity, and a deeper understanding of career opportunities in the media and TV industry. Sky Ireland is committed to making the programme inclusive and accessible to all, with its purpose‑built studio welcoming young people including those with disabilities and additional learning needs.

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