Sport In Ardfinnan National School

Physical education is built on the principles of variety and diversity, not of specialisation. Physical education provides opportunities to develop desirable personal and social attributes: the concept of fair play, the acceptance of success and failure, and the ability to co-operate in group situations.  

Children are given many opportunities to enjoy a wide variety of competitive and non-competitive activities. 

In  accordance with Dept. Of Education and Science Primary School Curriculum Guidelines the pupils engage in an extensive range of physical activities. 

We are fortunate to have a sizeable school hall and an excellent range of sports equipment to enable us to provide a wide variety of activities for the pupils. Activities including hurling, football, soccer, basketball, uni-hoc, tag rugby, playground games, parachute games, throwing equipment, tug-o-war, tennis, volleyball, skipping, giant Connect 4 and much more! 

We have two basketball courts, a grass area and access to the village Green and to the local G.A.A.  grounds just outside the village. 

All classes attend swimming lessons in Clonmel Pool. 8 week programmes are the norm. 

Coaching in Gaelic football and in hurling by qualified coaches is organised for boys and girls from 2nd-6th classes.  

Kool School- a health and fitness programme is organised for a number of classes.

About the Active School Flag

The Active School Flag (ASF) is awarded to schools that strive to achieve a physically educated and physically active school community. The process aims to get more schools more active, more often.  ASF is Department of Education and Skills initiative supported by Healthy Ireland. 

At Ardfinnan NS we strive to prioritise physical education with help from various outside coaches.  With many resources the children get many opportunities to become more active.  We organise an annual Active School Week.  Ardfinnan NS are currently the only school to have achieved their Second Active Flag.  We are due to re-apply for third flag in 2019. 

Sports Competitions

The pupils of Ardfinnan N.S participate in a variety of sports competitively. Pupils participate in many inter-school competitions, blitzes and school leagues.  

Cumann na mBunscol 

Boys participate in U 11 and U 13 hurling and football Competitions. Girls participate in U 11 and U 13 football Competitions. Selected players also go forward to trials for places on the County Primary Game teams in each code. If successful, they  proudly wear the blue and gold on big match  days.  

Mickie O'Mahoney Cup 

The Mickie O'Mahoney Memorial cup is an U11 football competition organised annually between Ardfinnan N.S.; Grange N.S., Newcastle N.S. and Ballyporeen N.S. It is in memory of Mickie who spent many years coaching the boys and girls of these schools and for the local club .  

John Brennan Cup 

The John Brennan Cup is a football competition for boys from our school. Last  year boys  from 1st-4th class  played  in it. The League was organised and run by 6th class.  It is in memory of  John Brennan... a  man who owned the Agricultural suppliers and grocery shop where  Brett's business now stands. He was a great  supporter of the football club throughout his life.  His brother, Pakie, was an outstanding player who was named on the Millennium team.(Munster)  . 

Lambert's  Coaches  Trophy: This  trophy is played  for by the Senior Girl's  footballers twice  yearly. Medals  are kindly  sponsored  by  Lamberts. 

Willie  Condon  Cup: Last  year was the first year of this hurling competition, which  involves mixed teams of  pupils from Ardfinnan and Grange Schools.  It  is held  in honour of Willie Condon, a  stalwart of Ballybacon-Grange hurling in times past. His grandchildren attend Ardfinnan N.S. 

Soccer:  A  highlight of the 6th Class year is participation in the F.A.I.  run Soccer blitz in St. Kevin's, Littleton. Boys and girls teams take part on different days.

School Leagues: Throughout the school year many leagues are organised for pupils in football, hurling, soccer, basketball and uni-hoc.  

The  Ballybacon-Grange  Hurling Club  and  Ardfinnan  Football  Club  are  consistent  supports  to  the  School's  Gaelic  Games  activities, financially  and  on  many  practical  levels. Tipperary goalkeeper and past- pupil Brendan  Cummins  is  a regular  visitor.. giving  tips , presenting  medals  and inspiring  every  pupil.