THE star of the show at Our Lady’s Tullysaran Primary School on Thursday morning was meant to be the famous Sam Maguire – but it turned out to be the children’s awesome singing of ‘Bring Sam Home’ that raised this special assembly to an emotional and memorable crescendo.
Armagh’s All-Ireland winners, captain Aidan Forker, Niall Grimley and Stefan ‘Soupy’ Campbell, First Minister Michelle O’Neill, the SDLP’s Justin McNulty, Lord Mayor Sarah Duffy, the entire school staff – and indeed ‘Sam’ – were transfixed by the children’s voices in the small assembly hall.
For several weeks, the Tullysaran pupils had been in rehearsals practising and putting their own spin on ‘From Now On’ - one of the songs in the hit movie The Greatest Showman – and that hard work and dedication paid off as they were showered with rapturous applause.
‘Let us hold our flags up high and cheer – Mr Forker got us here…’ – a touching and goose-bumped ode to their vice-principal.
The First Minister addressed the sea of innocent orange in the hall and reminded the boys and girls that each day they wake up, they can be successes too just like the three All-Ireland winners at the front of the hall.
“Enjoy the celebrations, have fun, it’s a great day and remember you can be anything you want to be in life.” O’Neill said.
“You can also be All-Ireland stars, and I believe there are many more in this room.”
It wasn’t the first time Sam Maguire had been in the school’s assembly hall. Two years ago, Tullysaran men Jason McGahan and Colin Trainor had helped Kerry win the 2022 All-Ireland title and brought the coveted silverware for the children to see.
“That day, I took a few photos and stayed in the corner and did my job promoting the school,” said Forker.
“I didn’t want to be too involved because it was about the two boys Jason and Colin. But there was a seed sown in me that day, wouldn’t it be great to bring the cup to Tullysaran as All-Ireland champions for Armagh. It was an absolute dream at that stage and it’s amazing that it’s now happened.”
Before the children bounded outside to the bouncy castles as part of the school’s Sam Maguire fun day, they enjoyed a Q&A session with Forker, Campbell and Grimley.
Campbell, who was one of many key players in driving Armagh to All-Ireland glory this year, acknowledged that it’s “challenging to fit all the school visits in” but he wouldn’t have it any other way and still has vivid memories of the 2002 heroes visiting his primary school.
“You want to make these visits happen and it takes bending a few ears in work [Almac] where they’ve been really supportive,” said the Clan na Gael clubman.
“I was in my own primary school on Monday for the first time in about 25 years. A lot of the furniture was the same, the teachers hadn’t changed. Serious nostalgia. It was surreal. So we’re making time for it because we want to do it.
“I remember the ‘02 boys coming into my school. I actually met Neil Lennon on Sunday evening and I remember him vividly coming into the school when he was Leicester City player and the next thing I’m meeting him and people are getting photographs with me instead of Neil Lennon! A few eyebrows were being raised!
“So, I know the memories will last a lifetime for these kids.”
Buoyed by his Allstar nomination earlier in the day, Niall Grimley was privileged to be able to attend the school’s Sam Maguire Assembly before ferrying the silverware to Madden Primary School later in the day.
“We, as players, are nearly as excited as the kids,” said Grimley. “It wasn’t that long ago we were sitting down and looking up at ‘Geezer’, Kevin McElvanna of my own club and Oisin McConville going around the schools with the cup.
“At the time, I thought, ‘I want that too.’ There’s been a lot of hard work and a lot of hurt through the years, and to finally get to this stage is amazing. The happiness and joy that you see among the kids, the teachers, kitchen staff is very special.”