By Paul O’Donovan
There was great joy and excitement at Collinstown and Fore National Schools last Wednesday, 1 October, when Irish rugby manager, Joe Schmidt, paid a surprise visit to the schools.
Yet the day was tinged with sadness, as Joe Schmidt made a poignant visit to well-known local man, Tommy Farrelly, who is suffering from a serious illness.
The whole day was organised by a number of people from the local community, in particular local businessman, Niall Conaty. Niall and all the organisers deserve great praise and credit for organising the day.
Tommy Farrelly has been a lifelong rugby fan and is a former player with Mullingar RFC. He has always been a keen supporter and great clubman with Lough Lene Gaels hurling and camogie clubs also. Recently Tommy has been diagnosed with a very serious illness, which he is determined to battle.
Recently Niall Conaty spoke to Tommy and proposed that Irish rugby manager, Joe Schmidt, would visit him at his home in Collinstown. Tommy was delighted with this great gesture but agreed on one condition, that Joe would visit the local schools and meet the children of the area also. Niall Conaty then went to great lengths to organise the visit, which took place last Wednesday.
The children and staff of Collinstown National School and Fore National School were delighted to meet the Irish Rugby manager who brought with him the Six Nations trophy, which Ireland won earlier this year.
The pupils were delighted to hear Joe speak about his experiences of playing rugby and also as Ireland manager. Schmidt also told some funny stories and answered many questions from the children, before signing autographs for them.
Earlier that day, Joe Schmidt had paid a personal visit to Tommy Farrelly’s house in Collinstown where he met with Tommy and his family and chatted to them.
It was an emotional scene as Tommy and Joe said farewell outside Fore National School last Wednesday, but hopefully Tommy will get to meet Joe again sometime soon and watch the Irish rugby team win many more matches.
