On Thursday 20th October, St. Mary's University College will play host to Aldro School from Shackleford in Surrey, England for the good of sport.
Mr Philip Donaghy is a former student teacher at St. Mary's who took up a post at the English school and is now the head coach of the under 11A rugby tour team. He was keen to visit his home soil to prove his school's worth as ambassadors of rugby football.
Not content to participate in just one sport, it was felt that his Under 11 rugby team may enjoy involvement in gaelic football and St. Anne's Primary School in Belfast agreed to take part a game involving the skills of both codes. The encounter will be held at the Queen's University playing fields at the Dub, Upper Malone at 2.30pm this Thursday. The players from St. Anne's and Aldro will be shared on the teams in order to balance the level of skill on both sides. The emphasis will be on fun for this part of the English school's tour and it is hoped that pupils will have a memorable occasion.
The Aldro group will make their way to Dungannon after a visit to St Mary's and then on to Dublin where they will remain for a few days before returning to England. Many of the eighteen pupils are visiting Ireland for the first time and are excited to be playing at venues in both the north and south of the island . Mr Peter Finn, Acting Principal of St. Mary's University College, was pleased to facilitate and provide hospitality for the visiting squad of young people and their coaches. He said “We are always pleased to welcome back our former students to the College and I am delighted in this case to support a sporting event which crosses many borders. St Anne's Primary School responded enthusiastically to our call for collaboration in this venture and I hope that all the pupils involved enjoy their sporting encounter”.