The 2008 Primary schools project proved to be a big success with the final taking place in Santry in October of last year, see the reports from last year further down the page. The 2009 schools development days will begin in March and will continue throughout the spring with the final set to take place in the summer. Any schools who are interested in taking part should contact the ITOWA Tutor (details given below) or contact the website directly at the email address given below.
Click here for details of the first development day and the visit of Montessori Education centre on the 4th of March 2009.
Eddie Fitzgerald
ITOWA Tutor @ Morton Stadium
Tel: 01 8620635 (Mon–Fri 3pm–9pm)
or
Primary Schools final 2008
The finals of the Dublin Primary schools U12’s Tug of War took place at Santry Stadium on Wednesday the 15th of October. St Mary’s (1) versus St Marys (2) in the first semi final saw St Mary’s (2) progress to the final. In the second semi final St Malachy’s (1) defeated St Malachy’s (2) in a very close contest. The final was the best of three pulls, St Mary’s (2) defeated St Malachy’s (1) by two straight pulls. Dublin U12 Primary Schools Tug of War champions St Marys (2) were Conor Coyne, James O’Connor, Liam Flaherty, Leon Dixon, Andrew Keenan, Conor Dunne, Daniel Martin, Shane Doyle (anchorman)…..Read more….
St. Malachy’s B.N.S. Edenmore (June 2008)
On Tuesday the 17th of June the fourth class students from St Malachy’s B.N.S. Edenmore travelled to the Morton Stadium in Santry to take part in the Irish Tug of War Association’s Primary schools development project for 2008. We would like to acknowledge our sincere appreciation to the children and the teachers who sent in letters telling of their experience and how they enjoyed their introduction to the sport of Tug of War. See below some of the feedback we received. Fourth class, comprising twenty two boys, from St Malachy’s B.N.S. Edenmore, enjoyed an excellent session on tug o’ war with Eddie Fitzgerald, on Tuesday, 17th June 2008 at the Morton Stadium, Santry. Initially the pupils were instructed on the correct way to approach the rope, how to hold it and the proper positioning of team members. Next they learned how to pull, using weights on a pulley. Gradually in a very plesant knowledgeable manner, Eddie guided the boys through individual, group and team work towards a good working understanding of how to participate in tug o’ war. This was a wonderful experience for the children and more especially, for their teacher who learned a huge amount about the sport in a relatively short period of time. Many thanks Eddie for sharing your expertise with us.
by Noel Mannion (Class teacher)
On Tuesday the 17th of Jume 2008 4th class went to Morton Stadium by bus. We went there to learn how to take part in tug o war. First we had to run to warm up. We ran one lap around the track. Next we had to go to where the pulley was. Eddie showed us how to use the rope and what to do. We were really exhausted, our hands were red. Afther that the whole class had to lift 300 kilograms with the pulley it really hurt our hands. Then we took turns lifting 30 kilograms but I had no time to do it. A few minutes later we had a match. My team beat the other team six times in a row. We had a great day. J
By Justine Catubig
On the 16th of June fourth class went to learn about tug o’ war. First we got the bus to Santry Stadium. I felt very happy. After we got off the bus a man called Eddie was waiting. At the start we sat down for a minute and then we went to the field to pull some weights. First we were in a team of 5, we had to pull 57kg then the entire class tried to pull 300kg. it was a fantastic day.
By Conor Donohue
On Tuesday the 17th of June 4th class went to Santry Stadium to learn how to play the proper rules of tug o’ war. Eddie was an all Ireland champion at tug o’ war. He was the man who was teaching us. Before we started we did a lap of the track when we finished we did some stretches. We went to a small field and tried to pull 57 kilos of concrete. After that we went for some lunch. After that we went to a field near the gate with Eddie. We had to put a rope around the tree. We got divided into groups of 11. it was best out of three my team was Mark Karl, Ross Conor, Ryan B, Ryan K, Shane, Zsolt, John, Ian & Jack. We really enjoyed it. Thank you Eddie.
By Paul Dillon
On Tuesday the 17th of June we got on the bus to Santry. We got there at half 9. When we got there we sat on the seat. We waited for Eddie. When Eddie arrived he got us to run around the track to warm up. Next we learned to pull the tug o war. It was a good trip.
by Martin Ward
Click here to read more letters form the students of St Malachy’s B.N.S
St. Marys B.N.S. Rathfarnham (May 2008)
The first development day took place on the 20th of May this year when St Mary’s B.N.S Rathfarnham visited the Morton Stadium.
St Mary’s Rathfarnham is an area steeped in Tug of War History. Teams from Barnaculla, Ballinstoe, Bakers Corner, Enniskerry, Glencullen, Killegar, Taylors Grange and Ticknock all competed successfully as members of the Irish Tug of War Association in the 1970ies/1980ies. All these clubs would have been within a few mile radius of St. Mary’s B.N.S. 
It is obvious from the photographs and the letters sent back to us that the students thoroughly enjoyed their visit to the stadium and their introduction to the sport of Tug of War. Please read some of the feedback we received from the students
Our class went to Santry on the 20th of May to do tug of war at the start we did a lap of the track and then we went to the tug of war area. At first we had to lift a 9 stone barrel with cement then a 50 stone barrel full of cement after that we tugged against each other. It was great fun, I hope we can go again and do more events. Anthony Manning, St Marys B.N.S
On the 20th of May the two fifth classes went to Santry Stadium to get coached about tug of war. First four boys had to lift 9 stone then 16 people lifted 51 stone. After that we pulled against different teams. My team won both our matches. We had lunch after that and went home. We learned so much and we will definitely use it in the future. It was so much fun, a great experience. It was amazing that 16 boys could lift 51 stone. Cian Murray, St Marys B.N.S.
On Tuesday 20th of May Mrs. Gallagher and Mr. O’Neill went to practice tug of war in santry stadium. There were 8 on a team at first we had to use a rope to pull up weights. Then two teams would pull a rope tied to a pulley and pull the other team forward. We had great fun. Kevin O’Halloran, St Mary’s B.N.S
Click on the following link to see the original letters sent in to us by the students of St Mary’s B.N.S Rathfarnham
