St Mary’s Grammar School in Belfast have been famous for their hurling achievements down the years. Their Mageean Cup record is second to none and they have supplied endless players to the Antrim county sides for years on end. On Friday the boys from the Glen Road wrote a new chapter in their history when they entered the Guinness Book of Records for setting the record for the largest hurling training session in history.

Guinness Book of World Records officials were in Belfast to record the fact that 577 students completed the mass coaching session in this unique event which the school organised to celebrate their love of the game of hurling as well as promoting the health and wellbeing of the students at the school.

Former Antrim football star Paddy Cunningham who is one of the PE teachers at the West Belfast college said “We were looking at what the school could do and obviously hurling is historical within the school and is a huge part of school life, so we approached the Guinness Book of Records in conjunction with Ulster Colleges and the Ulster Council and it basically came from that. It has been going maybe three of four months at this stage and it has finally come to the day it is something were are really looking forward to.”

A proud school principal John Martin said: “We are delighted to be officially recognised as Guinness World Record holders. This was a big logistical undertaking by the staff and the pupils who have prepared very well over the last two weeks.

“We also received support from the local community and the school family including the parents. St Mary’s is very much a part of the west Belfast community and today’s achievement is a reflection of that.”

Guinness World Records adjudicator Glenn Pollard was high in praise for the great effort of the school he said: “A mass participation event like this one is a difficult and detailed undertaking. I travel the world on behalf of Guinness World Records to witness first hand record breaking attempts and I was very impressed at the efforts of the school today, including the staff and the pupils.

“They have earned this award and I am delighted to declare that St Mary’s is an official holder of a Guinness World Record.”