THIS year’s annual Irish language schools football tournament Corn Liam Uí Mhuirí – the Liam Murray Cup – will take place on April 28 at Rossa and Sarsfields pitches.
The popular tournament sees the cup winners traditionally progressing to the annual Gael Linn provincial Gaeltacht tournament each summer in Donegal. The yearly tournament exemplifies all that is good about Irish medium education, the GAA and of course Liam Murray himself.
Liam’s life was one of inspiration and the tournament aims to keep true to the legacy Liam has left behind him.
Liam was a keen GAA member. Playing football and hurling for Naomh Pól. He also was Captain of the Irish National U-19 water polo team as a young man. He is also a past-pupil of Bunscoil Phobal Feirste and worked for Comhairle na Gaelscolaíochta, the Irish medium education authority. Liam spent many summers in the Machaire Rabhartaigh Gaeltacht with his friends, many of whom are currently working in the Irish medium education sector.
The West Belfast man’s tragic death in 2010 of a brain tumour at the young age of 30 deeply affected his family and friends and ever since they have been determined to ensure that whilst Liam is no longer with us, his spirit and values are passed on to the many young Gaels who participate in the annual Gaelscoileanna event.
As well as the Corn Liam Uí Mhuirí tournament there are also opportunities for other schools to contest shield and plate tournaments – Pláta Choláiste Feirste agus Sciath Laochra Loch Lao. Another very popular aspect of the tournament is the selection of an ‘All Star’ team with representatives of each Gaelscoil having at least one member selected for the 15 strong team Gaeltacht team. The All-Star shirts were specially designed for the tournament and the shirts incorporate many of the badges and symbols in memory of Liam and in honour of his legacy. Each shirts bears the number 3 as a reminder of Liam’s playing position for St Paul’s as full back. The badges of all Gaelscoileanna are also incorporated into the shirt as well as the Antrim and Laochra Loch Lao Gaeltacht Quarter team badges.
Another significant step for the tournament will occur with the completion of Coláiste Feirste’s new multi-million pound Spórtlann facility which is due for completion in time for next years tournament.
The tournament will take place on Friday 28 April from 9.30 to 3.00 at Sarsfields and Rossa pitches – the biggest day in the Gaelscoileanna sporting calender.
