Waterford Primary Schools Board
The Primary Game
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What is The Primary Game?
The Primary Game is a series of exhibition games in hurling, football, Camogie and girls football between the primary schools in the counties of Munster. All the games are played on the day of corresponding senior championship matches and each county is guaranteed at least two games.
The games are played ‘up and down’ the field with 13-15 a side teams and last 30 minutes. The Primary Game teams are drawn from the counties that are about to clash in the senior game. They take place directly before the senior game which always guarantees tremendous crowd reaction and a great atmosphere for the players involved. Although the games are non-competitive the crowd is always guaranteed a great match, with each set of young players determined to excel in their own county colours.
The concept for The Primary Game has its genesis in the late1980's when the INTO/GAA 'Mini-Sevens' was initiated. This event grew over the years to involve schools from all 32 counties and in 1996 celebrated its tenth anniversary with a celebration at Croke Park attended by President Robinson.
An indication of the success of the 'Mini-Sevens concept is the fact that former players in the series have gone on to win Senior All-Ireland medals at both hurling and football. Rory Mc Carthy of Wexford and Darren Fay of Meath are just two examples.
The idea for The Primary Game in Munster evolved from the 'Mini Eleven’s' which were a development of the 'Mini-Sevens' idea. The 'Mini-Eleven’s' were first showcased prior to 3 senior championship games in 1996.
The experiment proved hugely popular with the spectators and the schools involved and so it was decided to expand the idea and play before all inter-county championship games in 1997 under a new name The Primary Game.
One of the great attractions of The Primary Game is that it is open to children from every school in the county, not just those schools that are recognised as successful at Gaelic Games.
In the Primary Game the team representing the county is made up of individual players picked from schools throughout the county so any promising young player is in with a good chance of selection.
For the players themselves The Primary Game represents a never to be forgotten opportunity to experience the atmosphere of the big championship day and the thrill of playing for your county.
Because the games are played directly before the big match, and after any other curtain raiser, this means that The Primary Game is always played before a capacity crowd, cheering on the young players in their county colours.
Cumann na mBunscol na Mumhan
The Primary Game is organised and administered by Cumann na mBunscol na Mumhan, the Munster Primary Schools Board.
Cumann na mBunscol was set up in 1990 to promote Gaelic Games at primary schools level. Its role includes the co-ordination of activities between schools in the six Munster counties and raising funds for the provision of playing equipment such as hurleys, sliotars, helmets, footballs, gloves etc
While Cumann na mBunscol works year round to promote Gaelic Games in schools throughout Munster, The Primary Game shows the public the immense potential of our younger players and just how important it is to support and promote the games at this level.
(For a listing of Cumann na mBunscol officers see appendix.)
2004 – Hurling Fixtures |
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2004 – Football Fixtures |
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The cost of running the series
The organisation of any major event incurs certain cost. Here is a breakdown of expenditure on the 1998 Primary Game Series.
ThePrimaryGame
Expenditure 1998
Description £,
21 sets of replica county kits. @ £491.40 each, 10319.40
12 sets of children's drill tops. @ £17.10 each, 3, 283.20
36 adult drill tops. @ £23.50 each 846.00
Travel costs per county. 400.00
Food costs per day. 300.00
Administration. 100.00
Counties internal costs. 600.00
Team photographs (one for each child). 1,600.00
TOTAL. 18,429.00,
- The Munster council of the GA.A. funds the purchase of the playing gear and also provides a grant of £3,000.
- Cumann na mBunscol na Mumhan cover the cost of the food.
- Individual counties pay their own travel and organisational expenses.
- Children keep the replica kits.
The Primary Game Fixtures
Cumann na mBunscol Officers.
President: Br. Anselm
A native of Castleisland, Br Anselm is now a retired teacher in Waterford
Chairman: Margaret Cunningham (Waterford).
Chairperson of Cumann na mBunscol, Phort Láirge, assistant secretary to Cumann na mBunscol , Náisiúnta who made history by becoming the first Lady Chairperson of Cumann na mBunscol na Mumhan.
Vice-Chairman: John Touhy. ( Limerick)
Secretary : Gearoid Mac Domhnaill.
Delegate to Munster Council and member of its activities committee.
Treasurer: Maurice O'Mahony. ( Kerry).
P.R.O: Tom Lynch.
A native of Dingle, he is former treasurer of Clare Primary Schools and Delegate to Clare County Board.
Development officer: Jim O'Reilly.
From Cork, he is National P.R.O of Cumann na mBunscol and is well known in INTO circles.