Armagh great Oisin McConville addresses St. Columb’s students on ‘addiction and mental health’

PICTURED ABOVE: Mrs. Caroline McLaughlin, Principal, St. Columb's College pictured welcoming Oisin McConville, former Armagh GAA star to the school on Wednesday afternoon. Included from left are Killian Conlan, Doire GAA Games Officer, Oran O'Kane, GAA Participation Officer, Mr. Eamonn Burns, Head of PE,, Mr. Tony McGonigle, Senior Teacher, and 2 members of MacRory cup team, Oran Donnelly and Liam Meenan (Photos: Jim McCafferty Photography)

Former Gaelic Championship footballer, Armagh’s Oisin McConville was a special guest at St. Columb’s College on Wednesday afternoon when he shared his experience of addiction and mental health with the school’s 250 Year 13 and 14 students.

One of Armagh's all-time greats, he spent more than an hour talking to the students of his gambling experiences, his playing days, overcoming addiction, dealing with mental health problems, fighting to become a better person and, he explained, paying back all his debtors!

Introduced to the students by event organiser and senior teacher, Mr. Tony McGonigle, who described him as ‘a legendary Gaelic footballer, All-Ireland winner with Armagh and six-time All-Ireland Senior Club Champion with Crossmaglen Rangers’, Oisin was loudly applauded onto the stage. Mr. McGonigle also thanked Oran O’Kane, a former Head Boy, who actually invited Oisin in his role as GAA Participation Officer attached to St. Columb’s.

An exceptionally skilful player, McConville was part of the Armagh team that won the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship against Kerry in 2002. 

That he could put in on the day what many pundits later described as 'a world-class performance' at Croke Park was something of a miracle given, he recalled, that by then he was almost drowning in debt and worry!

Present manager of the Wicklow County team, Oisin spoke on how he overcame his addiction and tapped into the available support that was out there which enabled him to come through to the other side.

He described himself as a firm advocate of the importance of looking after your mental health, emphasising how particularly important it was amongst younger age groups including those in the hall who were presently studying and transitioning between College and Higher Education..

IN PICTURES: Armagh legend Oisin McConville warns St. Columb’s students about dangers of addiction

McConville was a special guest at St. Columb’s College where he shared his experience of addiction and mental health with the school’s 250 Year 13 and 14 students

In concluding his visit, he added: ‘It is indeed a great privilege to come to come to St. Columb’s College, a bastion for everything good about Gaelic games. If I can only help three or four students among you to realise the dangers of addiction and the importance of mental health then it is all worth it.’

The last quarter of Wednesday’s event was a Q&A where students got to ask pertinent questions, all of which were candidly answered.

St. Columb’s College Principal, Mrs. Caroline McLaughlin also welcomed the GAA start to the school, adding: ‘As part of the preventative curriculum, and to educate our sixth forms boys on a potential real and challenging current issue, we welcome Oisin McConville in to school today to relay his experiences and share his personal insights. Oisin had a captivated audience who listened attentively to this enlightening and moving discussion. We thank him for taking the time to join us in St Columb’s today.’

Concluding, Tony McGonigle, senior teacher, said it was great to have a person of Oisin McConville's stature to visit St. Columb’s to speak to the senior student at this important stage of their lives.

‘The importance of these events is that they provide a safe environment to openly discuss and listen to the impact that poor mental health and addiction can have on an individual’s life, and by listening to people like Oisin, that opens up avenues for people to seek support.’