Cumann na mBunscol Update- November 2025

Final Festival Fun

The 2025 Cumann na mBunscol football finals showcased, once again, the amazing talent that is coming through the primary school system. 20 full-blooded finals over two days saw colourful fans laugh, cheer and cry as their hopes were dashed or cups were won on the hallowed Croke Park turf.

Division 1 showpiece, Corn Kitterick, formerly Corn Sweet Aston, was first contested between in 1938. Barney Rock won it in 1971 and he was in Croke Park to present it to the 2025 winning captain, from St. Patrick’s NS, Hollypark NS. Player-Of-The-Match, Conor Hanly, played superbly at corner back. He is a great grand-nephew of Michael Hogan who was shot on Bloody Sunday.

Hollypark defeated St. Oliver Plunkett NS, Malahide by a single point

in what reporter, Ronan Mac Lochlainn, described as ‘a final of high intensity and quality.’ Ruairí Brennan was superb throughout for Hollypark

and finished with 2-2 to his credit. Malahide top-scorer was Rafa Nagle with an impressive 1-6. Rafa is certainly one to watch for the future. He represented Cumann na mBunscol against Antrim in Corrigan Park last June and, judging by this display, he will most likely wear the blue again in the future.

The Division 1 girls’ final is Corn Austin Finn is always highly competitive and the standard is always top-notch.

This year’s contest lived up to expectation with Belgrove NS winning the coveted trophy for the time. They defeated Pope JohnPaul 11 NS from Malahide, 4-4 to 1-4 in a thrilling contest.

Cooney scored two goals for Belgrove. Emma Woods was another to show skill, commitment and scoring prowess as she contributed 1-1. Maebh Haran added 1-1 while Laura O’Reilly 0-2. Farah Morgan 0-1 and E Weber 0-1 were others to shine. The Malahide scorers were Elisha Davy 0-2 and Julia Moloney 0-2.

The late John Nagle is still fondly remembered in Cumann na mBunscol. He made a very significant contribution to Cumann na mBunscol and to children in several Dublin schools especially his last appointment in St. Bernadette’s in Quarryvale.

The Rathmore man was a talented footballer in Kerry and played in Dublin with St. Anne’s. The cup in his honour has always been keenly contested and this year’s fixture was exceptional.

39 scores in a contest, between Rolestown and Rush NS, described by Niall Scully as ‘ a game straight out of the Quality Street box.

It was a game of ‘high standard with both teams giving their all, and more. It had so many highlights with the effort of both sides, and their encouraging mentors, making the spectacle such a treat.’ Rolestown prevailed 5-9 to 3-6 with Luca O’Farrell contributing 4-2 for the winners.

David O’Connell added 0-5 and made it clear that he has a bright future. Centre-back, Tom Macken, was outstanding at centre-back for Rush. Matthew Mulvey 1-2 and Lucas Munteanu were others to shine for Rush. Séimí Doran, son of former Dub, Morgan, made a big impression and scored a good point. Maeve Nagle, John’s wife, was in Croke Park to present the cup.

Captains Photo

Winning captains’ pictured in Croke Park at the annual captains’ photo shoot.

Included are: Ava White, Belgrove NS, Annabelle Farrell, St.Finnian’s NS, Newcastle, Teejay Bergin, Sacred Heart NS, Ballygall, Rocco Byrne, Francis St. Katie Kavanagh, Gaelscoil Cholmcille, Coolock, Josh Murphy and Robert Brennan, Our Lady Of Victories, Ballymun, Shona Walsh, St. Laurence NS, Baldoyle, Rose Corcoran, Divine Word, Marley Grange, Saoirse McGarry, Scoil Oilibhéir, Coolmine, To my Brennan and David O’Connell, Rolestown NS, Aidan Statius, St. Mary’s NS, Sadie Smyth, Xorpus Christi NS, Glasnevin, Molly Fitzsimons, Sacred Heart NS, Sruleen, Cormac Jackson and Conor Joyce, Ballyroan BNS, Ruby Burke, St. Kevin’s, Kilnamanagh, Killian Byrne, Gaelscoil Cholmcille, Michael Skelly, Clonburris NS, Laois Walsh, Gaelscoil Chnoc Liamhna, Charlie Griffin, Holy Cross NS, Dundrum, Luke Mahon and Conor Hand, Hollypark NS, Jaime Logan and Melissa Dooley, St. Anne’s, Shankill.

Cumann na mBunscol Football Campions 2025

Corn Chumann na nGael: Our Lady Of Victories, Ballymun

Corn Fiontán Breathnach: St. Mary’s, Saggart

Corn Chlanna Gael: St. Kevin’s, Kilnamanagh

Corn Comhar Linn: St. Finian’s, Newcastle/Scoil Oilibhéir, Coolmine - draw

Corn na nGearaltach: Ballyroan BNS

Corn Pat Fogarty: Gaelscoil Chnoc Liamhna

Corn Neasáin: Gaelscoil Cholmcille/ St. Laurence NS, Baldoyle -draw

Corn Clonmore: Holy Cross NS, Dundrum

Corn Ó Donnchú: Gaelscoil Cholmcille, Lána Na Cúlóige

Corn John Nagle: Rolestown NS.

Corn Mhic Phiarais: St. Anne’s, Shankill

Corn Seán Mac An Bhreithimh: Divine Word NS, Marley Grange

Corn Frank Cahill: Drimnagh Castle NS

Corn Kitterick: St. Patrick’s BNS, Holly Park

Corn Tadhg Kenny: Corpus Christi NS, Drumcondra

Corn Austin Finn: Belgrove GNS, Clontarf

Corn Mícheál Ó Muircheartaigh: Scoil Mobhí, Glasnaíon

Corn Pádraig Mac Ghiolla Bhearraigh: Sacred Heart NS, Sruleen

Corn Nua: Francis St. CBS

Corn Geoffrey Keating: Our Lady Queen Of The Apostles, Clonburris.

A Question Of Sport

The inaugural Cumann na mBunscol Tráth na gCeist sports quiz was held recently in Gaelscoil Bhriain Boróimhe in Swords.

12 schools participated in a very enjoyable event that was superbly organised by Cumann na mBunscol teachers Pádraig Ó Conchubhair and Diarmaid Eageney.

Difficult but fair questions certainly tested the ability of the contestants who battled it out to a dramatic finish.

The winners and runners-up were from Malahide. Pope John Paul II NS took the honours ahead of neighbours, Oliver Plunkett NS.

A talented team from Ballyboughal were in third position.

The quiz was played out in a fun and stress-free environment the was thoroughly enjoyed by the contestants and their teachers.

Refreshments were provided for children and adults and the Tráth na gCeist cup was taken in triumph to Pope John 11 school.

Great credit is due to Principal and staff of Gaelscoil Bahrain Boróimhe and to Pádraig Ó Conchubhair in particular who did all the planning and organising.

Runners Up: Oliver Plunkett NS: 

Jamie Purcell, Clodagh Reidy, Lennon Reilly, Richie Dignam.

3rd: Ballyboughal:

Grace Stafford, Dan MacNamara, Christopher Arthurs, Eoin Murphy.

Dublin Credit Unions present Spiorad An Chumainn award

The 2025 Spiorad An Chumainn award, from the football finals, went to Francis St. CBS.

The school had their first win in Cumann na mBunscol in 1945 when they triumphed in Corn na nGearaltach.

They have had several wins in football and hurling down the years despite the fact that they have no grass playing or training area near the school. The small city-centre school train in a tiny school yard.

The award was a recognition of ‘Franner’s’ dedication and commitment to our games despite their difficult circumstances.

It was also a tribute to the school’s first appearance in a Croke Park final for 24 years.