40 years of Cumann na mBunscol in Bohermeen, Boyerstown and Cortown Schools
November 26, 2024
James Brennan, Ruth Conaty, Stephen Ball and Cathal O'Bric
The three Primary Schools in the parish of Bohermeen made a special presentation to Stephen Ball, the author of ‘Bohermeen NS, Boyerstown NS, Cortown NS in Cumann na mBunscol Meath Primary School Sport 1979-2022’.
Principals James Brennan, Ruth Conaty and Cathal O’Bric took the opportunity to pay tribute to Stephen’s invaluable contribution to chronicling the rich sporting heritage of the pupils past and present from our local schools.
Each school also received a commemorative trophy to mark the occasion.
Daichead Bliain ag Fás - 40 years of Cumann na mBunscol Bohermeen, Boyerstown & Cortown Schools
In March 2024 Cathal O'Bric (Principal Boyerstown NS) attended the Cornmarket Cumann na mBunscol Náisiúnta National Awards in Mullingar to represent the three schools in Bohermeen Parish and in particular to represent local historian Stephen Ball who researched and produced an amazing forty year chronicle of Cumann na mBunscol activities in Bohermeen, Boyerstown and Cortown Schools. The publication won an award in the 'Publication of the Year' category that night.
The inspiration for this hugely detailed undertaking was the wonderful achievement of five of the six girls’ and boys’ teams across the three schools reaching the finals of their football divisions in Pairc Tailteann in June 2022. The publication was also inspired by Lewis Reilly who was just 12 years old when he passed away in April 2022, just weeks before the momentous finals weekend. Lewis was a classmate of the Bohermeen NS children and as a fitting tribute the Bohermeen NS boys team wore specially commissioned jerseys on the day with 'Lewis' on the back of the jerseys on a very emotional day for his classmates and adoring family in attendance on the day.
Stephen wanted to record the great enjoyment that so many children had derived from their involvement in girls and boys football, hurling and camogie, mini 7s games, rounders and cross country running leading to a lifelong love of sport for so many. His passion for his subject brought him back to 1981 when Cumann na mBunscol na Mí football competitions were reorganised and schools were grouped according to size in four new divisions. Both Bohermeen and Cortown Schools were very much to the fore even then winning the Division 3 and Division 4 titles respectively.
Over the following four decades all three schools enjoyed great successes with Cortown sweeping up several rounders titles to add to their football prowess, Boyerstown from the 2000s on winning a number of girls and boys football titles and making a big impression in hurling and camogie and Bohermeen continuing their long standing football tradition to add to their cross country running exploits.
Two prodigious players from the parish that featured in Cumann na mBunscol competitions and are highlighted in Stephen’s book are Johnny Murtagh, the future jockey and racehorse trainer and Geraldine Doherty, the future Meath player and All Star. The commitment given by so many teachers and principals over the years in the three schools is very much acknowledged also.
Stephen trawled the archives from the three schools to produce a fascinating history of the impact these structured activities have had on generations of pupils that will hopefully continue long into the future.
Cumann na mBunscol Coiste na Mí is indebted to Stephen for his invaluable contribution to chronicling the rich sporting heritage of our pupils past and present.
