Lidl Ireland unveils 26 schools for #SeriousSupport Programme

Sports mentors: (L-R) Samantha Lambert (Tipperary), Therese McNally (Armagh), Leah Caffrey (Dublin), Deirdre O'Reilly (Cork), Hannah Tyrrell (Dublin), Joanne Doonan (Fermanagh), Susanne White (Donegal), Muireann Devaney (Leitrim), Charlene Tyrrell (Leitrim), Anne-Marie Doran (Wicklow), and Sophie Daly (Cavan). Pic. Keith Arkins Media

One school from every county in the Republic of Ireland has been selected to participate in its programme for the 2025/2026 school year

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Read More: LGFA Lidl Ireland and Northern Ireland

Lidl Ireland has announced 26 schools, one from every county in the Republic of Ireland selected to participate in its #SeriousSupport Schools Programme for the 2025/2026 school year.

Now in its eighth year, this programme ‘continues to make a significant impact, with this year’s programme representing an investment of more than €120,000 in local schools across the country’.

Supported by the Ladies Gaelic Football Association (LGFA) and delivered by Youth Sport Trust and their specially trained athlete mentors, all of whom are current or former inter-county ladies Gaelic football players, the programme is designed to educate teenage girls about the positive mental and physical health benefits of playing sport.

The programme, which is delivered through workshops and team-building sessions, aims to increase participation and reduce drop-out rates for teenagers in the sport.

Tom Mughal, brand embassy director, Lidl Ireland and Northern Ireland, commented: “Our long-standing partnership with the Ladies Gaelic Football Association has always been driven by one goal: making a meaningful impact at grassroots level in communities across Ireland.”

eland #SeriousSupport Schools Programme 2025/2026:

#LGFASupport Schools Programme 2025/2026

One post primary / second level school from each of Antrim, Armagh, Derry, Down, Fermanagh and Tyrone have been selected to participate in the #LGFASupport Schools Programme and will also receive a set of new jerseys for the school.

The schools are as follows:

Stellar mentor lineup

Boasting an impressive array of achievements, this year’s programme is delivered by a stellar lineup of LGFA inter-county players: Anne Marie Doran (Kildare), Deirdre O’Reilly (Cork), Leah Caffrey (Dublin), Hannah Tyrrell (Dublin), Therese McNally (Monaghan), Cathy Carey (Antrim), Samantha Lambert (Tipperary), Muireann Devaney (Leitrim), Charlene Tyrrell (Leitrim), Joanne Doonan (Fermanagh), Susanne White (Donegal), Sophie Daly (Cavan), Meabh De Burca (Galway) and Laurie Ryan (Clare).

Commenting on the announcement, Trina Murray, president, the LGFA, said: “These mentors, inter-county stars and community role models bring a wealth of experience and inspiration to the students they support. Year after year, their guidance proves invaluable, helping young people build essential life skills during a pivotal stage in their development.

“The feedback from past programmes has been overwhelmingly positive, with students gaining confidence, resilience, and practical tools they carry into everyday life. There truly is no better group to learn from than these accomplished athletes.”

Ali Oliver, chief executive, Youth Sport Trust, added: “Too many young people across the Republic of Ireland aren’t reaching the recommended levels of physical activity and research shows teenage girls face unique challenges that can limit their participation.

“This programme is helping to break down those barriers by empowering more girls to get active and experience the wide-ranging benefits of sport and play from improved wellbeing and resilience to the development of vital life skills.”

Read more: Lidl Ireland launches Ladies Gaelic Football Association fundraising initiative

© 2025, by ShelfLife reporter

Read More: LGFA Lidl Ireland and Northern Ireland

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