Students attending Dundalk Grammar School in County Louth will be offered the option to play GAA from 2025.

The school had previously made headlines when students began protesting in May for the chance to play GAA.

The school had said it could only focus on three sports - hockey, rugby, and soccer – though a number of others were also facilitated.

A lack of pitch space and health and safety insurance were also cited as being issues.

However, following support from Louth GAA and continued protests, the school's Board of Governors have decided to introduce the sport in the new year.

On Lunchtime Live, local Sinn Féin TD Ruairí Ó Murchú said this development was ‘absolutely sound’.

“I think it’s great that the Board of Governors have made this decision - but the one thing I would really like to thank, obviously, is the students and how they conducted themselves,” he said.

“I think it was a really, really positive, inclusive campaign.

“It wasn’t about going against anybody. It was all about just ensuring that they would be able to play football.

“They had huge support obviously from staff - there was huge [support] from students who just supported the idea of it and then a number of teachers.

“Then the likes of the Louth GAA kicked in, and Sean McLean – and in fairness, local teams like Dundalk Gaels that would have been in the local area - said that they would provide whatever.”

A view of Pairc Ui Chaoimh ahead of the game. Credit: ©INPHO/Ken Sutton

Chairperson of Louth GAA Sean McLean said the outcome was a 'win-win'.

"I'd like to thank the Governors and the Grammar [School] for reconsidering and letting the students go ahead with the games," he said.

"Indeed, Ruairí played a large part in this as well - he was out with the students protesting, and was a large help with it."

“It's not a case of who won or who lost - it’s a case of just letting the kids play games, and that’s what it’s all about, simple as.”

Local support

Mr McLean said that the issue of pitch space has been accommodated by Louth GAA.

“We’ve made several representations to to the Board of Governors and the local clubs around the area - as Ruairí alluded to - with the Dundalk Gaels, the Clans, the Geraldines and Na Piarsaigh all more than happy for the school to use our pitches if they need them,” he said.

Mr McLean also said several parents had offered to sponsor kits and supply any gear that was needed.

Listen back here: