THE movers and shakers of Antrim football will descend on Sarsfields GAC in west Belfast on Saturday afternoon to celebrate the 50th anniversary of St John the Baptist Primary School.
The special commemorative event that will run between 1-7pm will see past and present Antrim footballers demonstrate their Gaelic football skills against former St John the Baptist pupils with a plethora of other activities taking place to celebrate the school reaching a cool half century.
“We just wanted to come up with ways to celebrate the school’s 50th anniversary and how we could share it with the school community and our parish,” said St John the Baptist teacher and former St Gall’s and Antrim footballer Mickey Pollock.
“We have a GAA Day every year in the school but this is the first time we’re hosting one on a Saturday. We have a game between an Antrim Select versus a St John the Baptist Select at 2pm.
“Given the amount of quality players that came through the gates of St John the Baptist up to Primary Seven and transitioned into secondary schools and went on to represent Antrim, we thought we’d invite them along.”
Mr Pollock added: “I’m delighted to say that the likes of Pat Shivers, Patrick McBride, Declan Lynch and Colm McLarnon have agreed to play in the game. And the likes of CJ McGourty, Kieran McGourty, Aodhan Gallagher, Chris Kerr who came through the school are participating.
“There are so many other so well known players taking part in the game – Paddy Cunningham, Justin Crozier, Michael McCann, John Finucane, Terry McCrudden and Sean Kelly.
“But the day is about so much more than a senior game as there are other activities between 1pm to 7pm and we’re delighted that Sarsfields have given us their full support to host this event.
“It’ll be a great opportunity for the children to see great players from the past and present and then at half-time they can go and demonstrate their skills in front of their parents.”
“By the very nature of this anniversary, this is probably the only time we’ll do this so we want people to come along and show people what the GAA is all about.
Among the many events that will keep the children entertained is a special reading from the authors of the GAA storybooks, Kevin O’Boyle, Michael Gerard Doherty and Ciaran Orchin.
It's £5 per adult. Children free. Saturday, Sarsfields 1-7pm
