12 GMIT students and graduates on All-Ireland final teams

Tuesday, August 27, 2013 Press Office
Press Release

GMIT proud to nurture students in GAA sports

Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology (GMIT) is delighted and proud to have twelve current students and graduates on this year’s All-Ireland GAA Senior Hurling and Football teams.

GMIT students and staff are looking forward to what’s hoped will be two of the most exciting All-Ireland finals ever for Connacht and Ulster teams, with the Football final taking place on Sunday 23 September and the Hurling final replay on Sunday 30 September.

The Institute has four graduates on the Mayo Football team, three students and two graduates on the Hurling team, and one student and two graduates on the Donegal Football team.

On the Galway Senior Hurling team are David Collins and Damien Hayes, both Engineering graduates, Ger O'Halloran, current student of Science, and Tadgh Haran and Paul Huban, current students of Business. Selector Mattie Kenny is also a graduate of Galway RTC.

On the Mayo Senior Football team are Business graduates Donal Vaughan, Richie Feeney, Michael Conroy and Aidan Campbell. James Horan (Manager) is also a graduate of Galway RTC.

On the Donegal Senior Football team are GMIT Engineering graduates Paddy McGrath and Stephen Griffin, and Anthony Thompson, current Engineering student.

GMIT has a long tradition of participation in and support for the GAA, helping students hone their skills in football, hurling and camogie throughout their college years. GAA Officer Damian Curley, has helped train and coach the GMIT GAA players since 1997. Other staff who have been involved in GAA activities over the years include Sean O’Dea, Michael Geoghegan, Liam Noonan, Larry Elwood, Bernard O’Hara, George Clancy, Ray Connolly, John Sherry and Michael Murray. The students compete in annual Higher Education leagues and championships throughout their three or four years in college.

“We would like to wish all our current and former players and management the very best of luck in the finals. Our dream would be to see both the Liam McCarthy and Sam Maguire Cups visit us in GMIT in the near future,” says Damian Curley.