The fifth annual Hertfordshire Gaelic Football Primary Schools tournament is set to become the biggest schools tournament outside of Ireland.

The event which features pupils in Year 4 and 5 has been growing in popularity since its inception.

And this year will see 32 teams and approximately 500 children from across Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Oxfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Buckinghamshire descend on Tabard Rugby Club on May 24.

A spokesman for the Hertfordshire GAA said: “We would like to thank everyone at Tabard Rugby club for the use of their excellent facilities and for their hospitality.

“A special mention must be made to our hoards of club volunteers and board officers who will be giving up their time to support on the day.

“And we would like to thank all our schools for their continued support.”

For more information on the schools’ coaching programme email cda.hertfordshire@gaa.ie

The sport in Hertfordshire is on the rise, partly thanks to the efforts of St Colmcilles GAA’s Cian Jelly.

Aside from playing for the Cotlandswick-based club, he was responsible for introducing Gaelic Football to his Sandringham School with the team going on to take county success.

Jelly also introduced the sport at his previous school too, St Helens Church of England in Wheathampstead, where he still coaches and mentors the children.