A Chairde, The GAA /INTO Respect Exhibition Games on Sunday 7th of July will be taking place at half-time of the camogie match between Waterford and Galway at 2.05 p.m. The GAA has arranged an athletics event for half-time of the senior match when the children would usually be playing. Cumann na mBunscol only found out about this on Monday July 1st. Cumann na mBunscol organises Mini Sevens games or Skills competitions in all 32 counties to select the children who will play in Croke Park on the day of the All-Ireland semi final or final. These competitions took place during the school year just ended. 42 boys and girls from various counties will take part at half-time of the All-Ireland semi-final between Kilkenny and Clare on Saturday. However, the children selected to play on Sunday will play at half-time of the camogie match and not at half-time of the Limerick v Cork hurling semi-final. This is very disappointing for the children involved and for their families. It will also cause major inconvenience for parents who will have to travel to Dublin much earlier than planned on Sunday. Cumann na mBunscol has been in touch with the GAA leadership in Croke Park throughout the week to convey our disappointment and to ask them to reconsider. Our overriding concern is for the disappointment felt by the children who were looking forward to playing during half-time of the hurling semi-final in front of a packed Croke Park.So far, we have not been successful but there is still time for Croke Park authorities to reconsider. We believe that both the Athletics and the children's games could take place. These games, popularly known as the Mini Sevens, have been taking place in Croke Park since 1987 and are the showcase for our Cumann na mBunscol activities.
Regardless of the eventual outcome, Cumann na mBunscol personnel involved will do their best to ensure that the children will have as enjoyable a day as possible.
Is mise le meas,
Fidelma Ní Shioradáin, Rúnaí Cumann na mBunscol Náisiúnta.
Joe Lyons, Cathaoirleach Cumann na mBunscol Náisiúnta.
