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FEATURE T was a simple Facebook tag – but enough to create memories to last a lifetime. Éadaoin Devlin, a native of Tyrone and originally from the Clann na nGael club in the county, is a PE teacher at St Paul's Academy, a mixed secondary school in Greenwich, London. Éadaoin was planning a trip to Ireland with a number of pupils, approximately 90 per cent of African descent and from challenging backgrounds, and she shared a post to the Tyrone LGFA post, in the hope of finding a host club for three days. Brian Meehan's niece tagged him and the rest is history. Brian, from Castlederg GAC, looked up St Paul's on Facebook, sent Éadaoin "a wee message" and the adventure began. "We had to get ten houses to host two girls each," Brian explains. "It was a serious bit of work but we got the houses and got the people vetted and through the proper channels." On Thursday, June 27, the contingent from St Paul's, many of whom had never been outside of their home area, arrived in Castlederg and were introduced to their host families. The girls ranged in age from 10-13 and have only been playing Ladies Football in the school for a year, as the sport is part of the curriculum there. On the Friday, they visited Ross Nowlagh beach in county Donegal, spent some time in Bundoran and the Roguey Walk, and returned to Castlederg for an U14 challenge match against the locals. "Castlederg did win but it wasn't about winning," Brian says. "It was about making that bond and teaching them the skills of Ladies football. "After the match, the club put on a disco for them, from 9.30pm until midnight." On the Saturday morning, a mini- tournament was played involving four teams, two from St Paul's, two from Castlderg, and a team from Aghyaran. There were birthday celebrations for Camille, one of the travelling party, who was presented with a cake featuring the Castlederg and St Paul's crests. A barbeque followed and the visitors enjoyed their last night of magnificent hospitality, before an emotional farewell on Sunday. "All of the St Paul's girls gave presents to the host houses, and appreciation cards," says Brian. "And they had a lovely marble plaque thanking the club and showing their appreciation for hosting them for the weekend. "Our girls got so much out of it. It opened their eyes to a new culture – they showed us their dance and we showed them Irish dancing. It was an amazing weekend." Huge credit is due to Brian Meehan, Maeve McGrath, Mark Lynch, Harry Grennan and all associated with Castlederg for helping to make this weekend a possibility, and of course to Éadaoin and St Paul's for reaching out in the first place. In four and a half weeks, something quite incredible was achieved, with the students from St Paul's and good people from Castlederg experiencing new cultures and making new friends. Castlederg welcome London students I