Deceased Laois student remembered at annual GAA hurling tournament

A past pupil of a Laois secondary school has been immortalised in a memorial hurling tournament, presented for the second year recently.

Mountrath Community School was a hive of activity on Friday April 11 when their Transition Year GAA Future Leaders students hosted the now annual ‘Future Leaders, Future Stars’ Event.

A special event on the day was the tournament by young male hurlers for the Adam Kirwan Memorial trophy.

A talented hurler with Trumera GAA, Adam Kirwan tragically lost his life in a car crash in Thurles in March 2023, aged just 22.

A school spokesperson told the Leinster Express / Laois Live how it went.

"On a beautiful day for hurling, we were treated to some great scores, blocks and high fielding by 5 very enthusiastic teams.

"The 'Kilkenny' team came out on top in a very close final and team captain Lucas Neville accepted the cup from Adam Kirwan’s parents Lourda and Paul who we were delighted could join us on the day along with grandparents, uncles, aunts and cousins of Adam.

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"For the second year running, the tournament proved a very fitting tribute to Adam who contributed so much to hurling in MCS during his time here with us," the school said.

Well over 100 of their first year students took part in the sports day which offered fun games, a 7 a side Ladies Football tournament and a 7 aside boys hurling tournament.

"The TY students took on the various roles of event managers, coaches and officials.

"The Ladies Football tournament was keenly contested throughout with great passages of play on show. In the end, the ‘Cork’ team came out victorious in the final and team captain, Sophie Sweeney received the trophy from Niamh Gorman and Erin Walsh, the joint captains of our very own recent Junior Leinster championship winning team.

The school thanks all their Transition Year students for organising the day, held in blazing sunshine.

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"A massive thanks to all the TY Future Leaders, 1st Years and teachers who contributed to a great day which was brought to a very positive end when the Laois Minor hurling captain and vice-captain Donnnacha Carroll and Dan Whelan gave a much needed refreshing ice cream to all participants and coaches. Well done all," Mountrath CS said.