Galway school welcomes back All-Ireland-winning GAA past pupil
Ellen, herself a secondary school teacher, paid tribute to all the staff who helped her develop as a player during her time at Coláiste Éinde
Scenes of great jubilation greeted Coláiste Éinde past pupil and All-Ireland Senior Ladies’ Gaelic Football winner Ellen Power when she returned to her former secondary school with the Brendan Martin Cup.
Ellen, a key member of the triumphant Galway team throughout the 2026 season, spoke to a rapt audience about the achievement of capturing the All-Ireland title, only the second time a Galway senior ladies’ football team has done so.
Galway won the 2026 TG4 All-Ireland Senior Ladies' Football Championship Final by defeating Kerry 2-07 to 0-12 at Croke Park on August 2, bridging a 22-gap to their only other win.
And in a link to that first Galway victory in 2004, Coláiste Éinde student Anne-Marie McDonagh was also part of that winning team.
Ellen, who hails from Moycullen, was treated to a reeling-in-the-years slideshow of images drawn from her many sporting successes in both football and basketball from her days at St Enda’s.
Fielding many questions from students eager to learn more about preparations, how to handle match-day nerves, and the emotions experienced when playing in Croke Park, Ellen imparted sound advice on the importance of not giving up when setbacks arise in one’s career.
She also spoke incisively on how to build resilience to deal with losses and disappointment along the way – and on the exhilaration of hearing the final whistle on All-Ireland final day.
Ellen, herself a secondary school teacher, paid tribute to all the staff who helped her develop as a player during her time at Coláiste Éinde.
Deputy Principal Seamus Kelly, who introduced Ellen and welcomed her back to her former school, spoke of the immense pride the entire school community shared in Ellen's achievement and praised her for her inspirational words and for being such a wonderful role model for today’s students.
This year’s final was dramatic on so many fronts – but most of all in the dying embers when Kerry's Síofra O'Shea had a potential goal disallowed due to a square-ball infringement called by the referee, sealing the one-point win for Galway.
Ellen Power, who started on the bench, was in the heat of battle at that stage having come on for Kilkerrin/Clonberne’s Siobhán Divilly in the 56th minute.
But the foundations for success were laid by Leanne Coen, who scored two crucial goals for Galway in the 16th and 54th minutes.
And now Ellen and her team-mates will be back for more – determined that there won’t be another 22-year wait before the Brendan Martin Cup comes to the county again.