Bionn buachailli agus cailini na scoil an-gnothach I rith na bliana o thaobh na spoirte de. Is soileir go bhfuil na daltai tugtha go gach cluiche Gaelach ata ann, agus cluichi eile, nach iad, mar cispheil agus cleasa lutha.

Sporting activity is more than an isolated aspect of a school's curriculum. It is, if used discerningly, a vehicle for a particular philosophy of education. Fatima Whitbread the acclaimed worked athlete and survivor of many personal tragedies recently echoed the Sentiments of many who have asserted, that in times of crisis sport was their saviour. And, for many more mundane, uncomplicated lives, sport allows them to add balance to their lives, to exist outside themselves and to enter the realm of personal myth. Whether it is these, rather lofty sentiments or the traditional precept of 'mens sano in corpore sano' that motivates individual teachers, it is certain that it is concepts such as these which offer the rational for the multiple energies which are invested in our sports curriculum.

Gaelic games have a central place in the sporting life of the school. Leagues in hurling and football are held each year, a junior league for, first, second and third classes and a senior league for the senior classes. A camogie league is also featured for the senior girls while the recent addition of girls' Gaelic Football has been enthusiastically welcomed. These Frank Burns Memorial Leagues were established in 1986 in memory of the late Frank Burns, N.T. (R.I.P.) who first started the school leagues in Barefield National School about 1978. He did so much for the G.A.A. during his years as Principal of Barefield National School that it was only fitting and proper that the leagues that he himself initiated should be named after him.As a result of these leagues, a team emerged in 1979 to win the Nine-Aside Division of the Primary Schools' County Championships.

We, like all Clare, are indebted to the Clare County board for the provision of top quality coaches to consolidate the work the work the school does in the skills of Hurling and Gaelic Football. Damien Curley of Galway and Vincent Teehan of Offaly have contributed greatly in recent years. Now Sean Mangan, St. Joseph's hurler and former Clare Minor is continuing the excellent work. Football coaches John McCarthy and Fergal Kenny, perform a similar service of the highest standard in the Gaelic Football arena.

An extra dimension to the hurling programme and one which suggest future potential in the area of hockey is the recent acquisition of the innovative timber cum plastic sticks from Croke Park Development section. Thus, mini-games, even for the youngest can incorporate an element of hurling and the concept is indicative of the staffs' desire to continually diversify and enrich our games curriculum while maintaining the centrality of Gaelic Games.

COMMUNITY LINKS

Of course, sport, as a school based activity is by its very nature conducive to forging school community links and in Barefield, as in many other parishes, teachers accommodate a desire for meaningful relationships with their hinterland through involvement with the local G.A.A. Club. Mr. John Burns, Principal, was Manager of the U-12 A team. More meaningful relationship with, and insights into the pupils we teach are the rewards for such tasks. In return the Doora-Barefield Minor Club under Chairman Michael McMahon provides tremendous support. Free or very cheap hurleys, sliotars and refereeing resources are regularly provided while in this centenary year we are grateful for the sponsorship by the Minor Club of medals and trophies for the finals of the Frank Burns Leagues. Parents and club member also give invaluable assistance in organising transport, pitch preparation, refreshments etc.

BASKETBALL AND VOLLEYBALL

In the school, there are at present, most interesting and exciting leagues being run in Basketball. Girls and boys from fourth class upwards are participating. The captains of the boys' teams are Eoin O'Connor, Eoin Collins, John Eustace and Marty McLoughlin while the captains of the girls' teams are Teresa Roseingrave, Linda Earlie, Jenny Whelan and Sara Germaine. In an effort to cultivate an authentic appreciation of the skills and texture of what is after all, a recent addition to the games curriculum, Mr. Bill Regan, a former National Basketball Coach and a man of vast experience on the American Colleges' Basketball circuit has in recent times been involved in coaching the eager pupils. Games' teachers are storing the gems of coaching advice to help fine-tune the undoubted aptitude many children have for this game.

OTHER ACTIVITIES

Creative Dance, Gymnastics and mini-games for younger pupils are all facets of physical development which rarely attract the profile of the major competitive games. They have nonetheless, intrinsic value for children and act as the precursor of the confident exhibition of psychomotor skills and sporting motivation inherent in major games. Teachers who conscientiously attend to these areas rarely achieve accolades, but are assured of the professional esteem of their colleagues, who appreciate their time, effort and altruistic motivation.

ATHLETICS - SCHOOL SPORTS

Gach Bealtainne bionn 'School Sports' againn in ar bpairc scoile taobh thiar de'n scoil. Glacann gach uile paiste sa scoil - o na Naoineain go dti rang a V11, pairt iontu.

Our school sports are held during the month of May and is a great day for the children and parents. With the assistance of some parents a most comprehensive programme is organised. Every child from infants to the senior classes compete and there is a great spirit of enthusiasm and fun during the evening, not alone among the children, but also among the parents.

In the eighties the school had great success in the National Schools' Cross Country Championships. They won both the boys and girls event in consecutive years.

CONCLUSION

Ta muintir Gort Lomain anamhoralach as an scoil. Cabhraionn gach duine - sagart paroiste, bord bainistiochta, tuismitheoiri, muinteoiri ach go mormhor na paisti scoile le dul chun cinn obair na scoile.