Students at a County Louth school say they "just want to play" GAA after walking out of class in protest at a school ‘ban’ on Gaelic Games.

Dundalk Grammar School has a number of sports on offer but Gaelic Games are not among them.

Students demanding the chance to play GAA for their school have been protesting since May – with more action planned on Friday.

The fee-paying school "is one of a small number of schools in the Republic of Ireland which are under Protestant management," according to its website.

Local Sinn Fein TD Ruairí Ó Murchú told Lunchtime Live the school says it can only focus on three sports.

"This happened at the end of the last school year where a number of students, teachers and obviously parents were all in support of kids playing Gaelic Football," he said.

"It was looking like that wasn't going to be allowed so they did a protest and at that stage the board was to go away and we hoped the board would revisit whatever decision had been made.

"We came back in the new year and things hadn't improved."

He said there has been support from all parties including Louth GAA.

'Not looking to disrupt the school'

Deputy Ó Murchú said the reason given by the school is that "they can only focus on three sports".

"I think that's hockey, rugby and soccer - but I also know that they also play a number of other games and in this day and age, I think that's all to be supported," he said.

"You have a case - at this point in time - [that] any issues in relation to insurance have basically been covered by offers from parents, by the GAA, by local GAA clubs in relation to training."

Deputy Ó Murchú said a "considerable" amount of students want to play Gaelic Games.

"You're talking about what would probably fill three teams... and you're only talking about those senior years.

"In fairness to these students they're not looking to disrupt absolutely everything in relation to the school.

"It's people who want to play".

'Don't want to cause a divide'

Leaving Cert student Ronan Foley told the show they just want to play.

"We don't want to cause a divide in the school - all we want to do is play Gaelic," he said.

"We're willing to do stuff to get it in - all we want to do is play.

"There's other kids in the school that just wouldn't be interested in the three main [sports].

"I know in the school there is basketball, orienteering and stuff that gives everyone a chance - so I don't see why Gaelic couldn't be brought in just to give other students, who only want to play Gaelic, a chance to get out and get a break from school".

'More than willing to assist'

Louth GAA Chairperson Sean McLean said they are willing to step in.

"I spoke to the chairman of the board of governors, I also spoke to the principal and addressed the concerns they had with regards to the insurance, facilities, equipment - even the scheduling of games.

"I told them the Louth GAA was more than willing to assist in any way we can on this.

"We addressed all them issues and we still seem to have an issue going forward with it."

Mr McLean added that he was told there was "internal issue" to be dealt with by the board of governors.

Listen back here: