Best Takes Part In Cross Community Event

Earlier this week Ulster and Ireland hooker Rory Best took part in a Cross Community programme event in Magherafelt.

Best, who is being rested for Ireland’s summer tour to Argentina, travelled to Knockloughrim outside Magherafelt to take a rugby session with the P6 and P7 pupils from Knockloughrim Primary School and the neighbouring St. Brigid’s Primary School.

The project, which is part of an ongoing Cross Community programme between the two primary schools, was designed to use sport to bring pupils from the two schools together.

Rory and the Principal of Knockloughrim Primary School, Keith Elliot, took the 45 girls and boys from the two schools for an hour-long session where they practiced basic skills.

All the pupils were given the chance to speak with Rory and he kindly signed their Ulster and Ireland shirts, and even just their school bags! Samuel Hawe, who is in the P7 class at Knockloughrim Primary School, dubbed it “the best day ever at school.”

Knockloughrim Principal Keith Elliot said: “It was just fantastic to see Rory visiting our school and meeting all the pupils from St. Brigid’s too. We really appreciate the support from Rory and Ulster Rugby.”

The Cross Community programme has seen the two schools participating in various outward-bound activity days and this latest joint venture was viewed as the highlight so far.