Being able to stand on the shoulders of giants doesn’t just happen overnight – but the pupils of Fossa National School have found the perfect formula to allow them to, one day, emulate their sporting heroes.
Apart from sheer hard work and determination, how about a school lunch comprising of a prime fillet steak and jug full of raw eggs?
And what about trading in the traditional wine and grey uniform for the now famous red and black jersey made famous by the Cliffords and co?
In advance of the biggest game in the Fossa club’s history – Sunday’s Intermediate Championship final against Milltown/Castlemaine – the staff and pupils of the 262-pupil school have been busy producing, filming and starring in a blockbuster video to wish the team well and to celebrate their great achievements in a light-hearted and fun way.
And the end result is so impressive that it will have star past pupil and Oscar nominated Michael Fassbender watching over his shoulder.
Scripted by teacher Fiona Hallissey, filmed by Mikie Galvin and narrated by Lily Foiarty, the fast-moving mini film even features cameo roles by Fossa heroes David and Paudie Clifford, Emmet O’Shea, Cian McCarthy, Matt Rennie, Dan O’Connell, Shane O’Sullivan and Fossa teacher and Kerry legend Mike Frank Russell.
The central message is that when it comes to fine footballers and fine people, the Fossa School of Excellence is where the seeds are planted and talent nurtured and the stars of tomorrow are currently making their way through the grades.
In Fossa, even the achievements of Michelangelo, Martin Luther King and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart are put in the shade by the free-scoring senior team captain Emmet O’Shea – and for this week at least, that’s just how it should be.
Excitement has reached fever pitch in the parish and the reigning All-Ireland Junior champions and hoping to go one better this weekend and add the county intermediate title to their collection which would automatically bring senior club status.
The excited pupils of Fossa National School will be watching on anxiously and they will be hoping they will have an opportunity to see Emmet O’Shea walking through the school gates early next week with the cup tucked under his arm.
As for now, they remain standing on the shoulders of giants.
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