Stars bid to boost school sports

A team of sports stars will line up with Education Minister Batt O’Keefe today to promote activities in schools.

Footballers, hurlers and camogie players will be in Cork to hit home the message that sport is a vital part of school life.

Footballers Tomás O Sé, James Masters and Jason Stokes and Cork hurling captain John Gardiner will team up with all star woman footballer Nodlaig Cleary and Cork camogie player Amanda O’Regan in Pairc Ui Rinn.

The players will launch the sponsorship of 2,000 sliothars and 2,000 footballs branded with the words Every School Day Counts.

It is backed by the National Educational Welfare Board, the statutory body responsible for ensuring that children attend school regularly, which believes children are less likely to miss out on their education if they take part in school sporting activities.