Terenure College has always been regarded as the bedrock of Irish schools rugby and rightly so, given the success that the Dublin based school have had in the oval ball game.

However, for the past five years, there has been a greater emphasis placed on promoting Gaelic games in the school and this has begun to pay off on the GAA field.

This year, Terenure College celebrates its 150th anniversary and ironically, the school was the first in Dublin to be affiliated to the GAA, all of 125 years ago.

Over the years, rugby took over and Gaelic games faded into the background and eventually there was neither hurling nor football played in the school. That is until five years ago when school principals Fr Michael and Fr Eanna along with teacher Philip Wallace decided to reform Gaelic games.

Since then the school has been competing in all levels in both codes with success being achieved on a regular basis. Nonetheless, their biggest win to date has to be the capture of the Leinster Colleges' under-16 title when they defeated Meath side Athboy Community School in the decider in April.

Philip, who had a distinguished career with the Wexford senior footballers for 12 years and only retired last November, has been a major influence on promoting the games in the school along with some of his teaching colleagues.

For this month's edition of the magazine, we spoke to Philip about their provincial success, while he also gave us a run down of how the games have developed there in the last few years.

For many the idea of forming hurling and football teams in the school, while rugby is the dominant force would be a non-starter, but Philip revealed that it has worked out rather well.

"Rugby is definitely the number one sport in the college and that will probably always be the way, but there is no competition there and a lot of lads play both," said Philip. "In fact they work well together, particularly the football and rugby where some of the skills like the handling are similar, so it has actually been beneficial."

The Gusserane native stated that they are now fielding teams in all grades and he paid tribute to a number of people in the school who have played a big part in the development of Gaelic games.

"Five years ago, Fr Michael and I toyed with the idea of reforming Gaelic games in the school and since then the likes of Fr Eanna, who is second school principal, along with teachers Traolach Martin and Mary Liz Ryan have put in a huge amount of work on the playing fields.

"I'd also like to give our school secretary Emer McElduff a special mention as she has the task of looking after the administration side of things, which is almost a full time job in itself"

There were celebrations throughout the year to mark the 150th anniversary, but to win a Leinster title in under-16 football really capped the year for the school.

"We were delighted to win the Leinster title. The lads showed great character in a number of games to come through, especially in the final when we were losing by a couple of points with a few minutes to go, but came back to win. Athboy Community School pushed us all the way.

"We had a couple of comfortable wins in Dublin and the semi final was probably our toughest game there. It was the same in the Leinster semi final against Kilkenny side Johnstown, we had to dig deep to come out with a win."

For many years, Terenure College played its Gaelic games in nearby Bushey Park and Marley Park, as they had no facilities of their own. However, that all changed last November, when GAA President Christy Cooney officially opened their new pitch.

The occasion was marked by a match between Pat Gilroy's Dublin Development Squad against a Terenure Invitational XV that was managed by Dubs legend and Templeogue Synge Street clubman Anton O'Toole and captained by Philip himself.

Local clubs Templeogue Synge Street, Ballyboden St Enda's, St Judes and Ballinteer St Johns all have past pupils from the school who have played senior club football in Dublin and they were involved in the Terenure team.

The Terenure selection featured Shane Durkin, Andrew Kerin, Joey Donnelly, Declan Donnelly and Shane McCann as well as Brendan and Kevin McMenamin.

Eoghan O'Gara, who starred on the Dublin team that won an All-Ireland junior title in 2008, lined out for Terenure and was joined by his TSS colleagues Cillian Byrne and Cathal Morley who hold the distinction of playing Senior Cup Rugby for Terenure College and also minor football for Dublin.

Templeogue Synge Street GFC held exhibition juvenile games on the pitch and hurling was also represented to reflect the schools Cumann na mBunscol hurling success earlier this year and the fact they also include Conal Keaney among their past pupil ranks.

"It was a great occasion and to have our own pitch means so much to us. Our groundsman Richard Hand must take all the credit for the pitch as it was he who designed it and I must say its one of the best playing surfaces that I've ever come across."

The fact that the majority of the 800 boys schools now come from a GAA background means that there is a keen interest in Gaelic games and Philip is confident that they can progress up through the ranks.

"Our aim is to get to the highest level possible in each grade. We have to try and get up through the ranks. We are fortunate to have many people to help out, most of who would have a GAA background also. We now have teams competing at all levels of hurling and football, and every year the interest among the lads keeps on growing."

With such a wealth of knowledge in Gaelic football, the students are fortunate to have a man like Philip at the helm. He admits that he will miss the furor of preparing for the championship, but will be supporting the county at every opportunity.

"I was 12 years with the county and I was travelling from Dublin most of that time. It just took its toll and it was time call time. I've many great memories of lining out for Wexford. Of course I'll miss the craic with the lads, but hopefully they can go on and do us all proud."

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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