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NOT only are they top of the class on the football pitch, but the Sem boys are now proving to be experts in opening championship level banks. In addition to winning the All Ireland Senior Colleges Football Championship this year, St Brendan’s College students, known as The Peaky Bankers, are also through for the to the AIB Build A Bank National Finals.

This is the first time that St Brendan’s College has qualified for this prestigious award.

The Peaky Bankers, whose name is a nod to the popular TV series, is made up of six transition year students, Oran O’Donoghue, Donal Lucey, Harry and James Knoblauch, Cathal Swords and Michael Buckley.

Killarney Advertiser caught up with members of the hardworking team as they created a working bank within the school. “Our mission is based on three core principals, these are, Mental Health, Brotherhood and Faith,” stated the students.

The group created a campaign together known as #brotherhood which raised awareness around mental health and in particular suicide.

“We open our bank every Tuesday in the school cafeteria and run competitions and games each week that always creates awareness around mental health and brotherhood,” stated the team.

“We have had guest speakers such as James O’Donoghue and Tom Lucey to speak about the importance of a hobby, a good bunch of friends and a good support network.”

When a member of the bank lodges money or opens a new account they receive a ‘We Back Our Boys’ welcome pack which includes a number of goodies including an introduction booklet with contact numbers and social media links.

The AIB Build A Bank National Final takes place in Dublin at the end of this month. The boys have their hearts set on claiming the €5,000 cash prize for their school. They hope to put the money towards research and events for the school to create more awareness of mental health issues amongst the students.