Lidl Ireland Announces Cork School Among 26 Selected for Mental Health and Sports Programme

Coláiste an Phiarsaigh in Cork has been selected as one of 26 schools across Ireland to participate in Lidl's #SeriousSupport Schools Programme for the 2025-2026 academic year, with the initiative representing an investment of more than €120,000 in local schools.

Now in its eighth year, the programme is designed to educate teenage girls about the positive mental and physical health benefits of playing sport, with delivery supported by the Ladies Gaelic Football Association (LGFA) and Youth Sport Trust through specially trained athlete mentors who are current or former inter-county ladies Gaelic football players.

The programme aims to increase participation and reduce dropout rates among teenage girls in sport through workshops and team-building sessions. Each of the 26 participating schools will receive a brand new set of jerseys for their school team.

This year's programme features an impressive lineup of LGFA inter-county players as mentors, including Cork's own Deirdre O'Reilly, alongside Anne Marie Doran (Kildare), Leah Caffrey (Dublin), Hannah Tyrrell (Dublin), Therese McNally (Monaghan), and others representing counties across Ireland.

Trina Murray, President of the LGFA, said: "

We're delighted to unveil the schools selected for Lidl's #SeriousSupport Schools Programme 2025/26, alongside our incredible line-up of athlete mentors. These mentors, inter-county stars and community role models bring a wealth of experience and inspiration to the students they support."

She added that feedback from past programmes has been overwhelmingly positive, with students gaining confidence, resilience, and practical tools they carry into everyday life.

Ali Oliver MBE, Chief Executive of Youth Sport Trust, highlighted the importance of the programme in addressing barriers facing teenage girls.

"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."

Tom Mughal, Brand Embassy Director for Lidl Ireland and Northern Ireland, noted the growing success of the initiative.

"The growing number of participating schools and students speaks volumes about the programme's success and the feedback we've received has been nothing short of inspiring. It's clear that this initiative is making a real difference in the lives of young people."

Lidl Ireland has been the title sponsor of the Ladies Gaelic Football Association since 2016, committing more than €10 million to the development and promotion of Ladies Gaelic Football.

The programme, delivered through workshops featuring athlete mentors, focuses on building essential life skills, improving wellbeing and resilience, and highlighting the broader value of sport in everyday life. Schools were nominated by Lidl shoppers, with one school selected from each county in the Republic of Ireland.