JUNE 2010 - St. Francis College Rochestown
Transcription
JUNE 2010 - St. Francis College Rochestown
St. Francis College Rochestown 10/10/09 Photo taken by Dan O’Regan with Louis Delahunty 6th year (pilot) St. Francis College, Rochestown, Co. Cork Tel: 021 4891417 Fax: 021 4361254 Email: [email protected] So it's the end of another school term; classrooms cleared, lockers emptied, lunchboxes quietly fermenting at the bottom of schoolbags and we can, after the headlong rush of May, catch our breath and look back on a good year. The cultural, sporting and intellectual life of St Francis' College has produced a broad range of achievement, recognition, and award listed through the pages of the RoCo report this past year. Too many to mention here.. . but the involvement of all of our sportsmen, debaters, chess-players, artists, musicians et a1 make for much of the social life of the school. It is also what the school magazine is for and makes our community an arena for growing, as well as a facility to imbibe the curriculum. HURLING !! Sports Day Brother Jeremy seen at Rochestown sports day The Schools academic role can be taken for granted, yet perhaps we should acknowledge how much time, energy and effort is involved on the part of all our students and staff, and how needed and deserved holidays are. publication! So, what can I say about debating? Well, I guess I’m the best candidate, from our newly formed club (Roco Debaters – an inspired name, don’t you think!), to write this because I haven’t actually been in an actual ‘competitive’ debate yet, so I can give an ‘outsider’s view’ (the other guy is stranded because of the ash, lucky thing!). Anyway. Debating, debating, debating. It may not seem like the most popular activity in the world but remember, the likes of President Obama plied his trade at the podiums of many a debating club or university, and he’s no slouch when it comes to speaking his mind! So, debating is kinda cool! In debating, you are supported, reassured and accepted into a wonderful group of people who never judge you (will, not harshly anyway!) and always help you along the way. They are sometimes cruel to be kind…some crueller than others, Connor lydon breaks pain barrier Special thanks to Editors Fionn Boland & Evan Healy KWP Print & Design Ph.021 4373096 We would especially like to thank Leaving Cert students Bernardo Long, Stephen Scully and Asst. Editor Jim Spillane for all of their invaluable work and expertise during their period on the staff of the RoCo report, and wish them and indeed, all our sixth year students the very best for all of their futures. At the risk of sounding like an Academy Award acceptance speech- 1 also must acknowledge the assistance and frequent guidance of Ms. O'Connor and Mr. Groeger upon whose assistance the publication depends. The Editor It’s just like Glee…kinda…… I have been asked to write an article about my experience at debating. You can tell how passionate I am about it as I’m writing this on, practically, the eve of its Summer Newsletter From the Editor Rochestown Debating team and to be kind? …I’m not so sure… but we always end up having a laugh. Recently we went to two debates, one in Presentation College and one in Mount Mercy Convent. The debate in Pres was just to see what ‘proper debating’ and like. Although mesmerised by Pres’s Massive Auditorium, we had a good time, picked up some very useful tips, Basketball will be starting up again in September with all students welcome to try out for any one of our four teams. We may not guarantee the same success but we will have fun trying. Award winners Under 19 Thomas Noonan, Sean Cantwell Under 16 Luke Murphy, Shane Kingston David O’ Donnell, Neil Murphy 2nd Year 1st Year Owen Connolly, Aidan Power Rochestown Soccer – First Years Rochestown has its most successful year to date in soccer culminating with the first years getting to the AllIreland final in the Umbro First Year Cup. The first years played seven games in total, winning six of them on the way to the final including their group games against Blarney (3-2) and Colman’s from Fermoy (4-2). In their second round game they accounted easily for Tarbert Comprehensive 9-2 with Kevin Flahive and Daniel Kingston getting hat-tricks. Colaiste Choilm, Ballincollig, were the next opponents and after starting the game without the influential Eoghan Daly, Rochestown won 3-2 after extra time with Gavin Fitzgerald scoring the winner with a towering header from George Gill’s free kick. The team that beat Rochestown in last years Munster Final were next and after another extra time period, Rochestown finally accounted for a very strong CBS Clonmel by winning 4-3 with goals from Eoghan Daly, Kevin Flahive, Gavin Fitzgerald and Daniel Kingston with David King very much influencing the game. In the Munster semi-final, Colaiste Mhuire of Cobh were the opponents in a game that Rochestown won 21 after goals from Eoghan Daly and Kevin Flahive. Some excellent saves from Andrew Cullinane meant that Rochestown progressed onto the Munster Final. In the Munster Final, Rochestown started badly and were 0-2 down at the break. However within 10 minutes of the restart, Rochestown were level through goals from Kevin Flahive before Eoghan Daly hit the winner from 25 yards with 10 minutes to go. Rochestown Munster Champions!! Easter Concert In the All-Ireland series, Rochestown played a strong St.Joseph’s College, Galway in the semi-final and after going a goal down, won 2-1 in the end with goals from Gavin Fitzgerald and Daniel Kingston. There were very strong performances from our back four of Niall Fitzgerald, Luke Carroll, Gavin Fitzgerald and Adrian Daly. In late May. Rochestown travelled to Athlone town FC to face soccer stronghold, St.Eunans of Letterkenny in the All-Ireland Final. On the day, Rochestown never played to their full potential and the limited participation of star player Eoghan Daly through injury was a big factor. Despite going 2-0 before half time, Rochestown battled back and got an excellent goal from Cork player David King with 5 minutes to go. However, time ran out and St. Eunan’s went on to win. School Orchestra Josh Hanlon solo performance Great credit must go to this bunch of players as in many of their games, they were a goal down and came back to win, which shows great character. These players all play for big clubs and this is a great sign for the school along with 2 Munster Final appearances in 2 years, the future is very much bright for soccer in St. Francis College. Shane Collins on drums Patrick Croke Kevin Power on guitar First year soccer team 3rd & 4th Year Choir performing at Easter Concert and had a lot of fun. The debate in Mount Mercy however, was our first ever competitive debate so everyone was petrified! Although I was a little jealous that I hadn’t been chosen for the team, when we were ready to start the debate, I was just as nervous as the team itself! We were led into the Prayer Room first, where we met the Pres boys who were also competing. They were nice but seriously loud. The motion of the debate was whether the Celtic Tiger had done more harm than good. We, (the entourage), watched as they all took their turns laughed at the bad ones and took a small rest during the boring ones. The boys from Rochestown did a fantastic job and were highly complemented, considering that it was our first debate. Nerves were clearly evident, poor Ben Wall, a fine debater, at one point looked as if he was going to pass out as he delivered his speech in practically one breath, Olympic style. Well done to Conor (Dunne) and Ryan O’Connell for fending off the intense cross-examination from, well, practically all the speakers. And, Cool Hand Ross (O’Donoghue), a stylish debater in the making, impressed throughout. Although we didn’t win; we a got a special mention and the chairperson of the mount Mercy Debating Club (a young woman not to be trifled with, well unless you can back it up with the most robust defence), applauded our brave start into the world of debating. If anything, debating is like Glee – a group of kids who join a club that the school doesn’t particularly like, but they join anyway because they’re good at what they do. For me the best thing about debating is that you get to voice your opinion about just about any topic and you are actually listened to. Plus, it gives you a massive confidence boost! If anyone out there has had even an inkling of a though of joining, come along after school every Thursday to check it out. We’ll be entering lots of exciting competitions and battles next year and we need all the strength we can muster. Gerald Killoran 2E Under 14 Football Our under 14 football team had an extremely successful year culminating in winning the Cork Colleges A competition for the first time in many years. The final was played in glorious sunshine in Rathcormac against St. Colman’s Fermoy, who had narrowly defeated them earlier in the season. Rochestown got off to a great start and got excellent scores in the first half through Gary Hartnett, Mark Dolan, Cian Devine and a great goal by Niall Fitzgerald. The Rochestown backline defended tirelessly in the opening period and the half back line of Eoghan Buckley, Kevin Flahive and Jack Donovan were in total control. This resulted in very few chances being created for the opposition. Rochestown were ahead at half time on a scoreline of 1-9 to 0-1 after playing with the aid of a strong breeze. Rochestown continued to play excellent football on the resumption of the second half. The work rate of Aonghus Boland and Cian Power in the half forward line combined with the strong midfield combination of Luke Carroll and John Cantwell continued to provide chances for a cohesive forward line. St. Colmans upped their performance from the first half and this was rewarded with a goal by P.J. Dennehy in the 47th minute. However, staunch defending by an excellent Rochestown full back line of David Kirk, Michael McGrath and David O’Connor never allowed St. Colman’s to come closer than an 8 point deficit. Sports Day Left, Right, left Philip Shine aims high Rochestown finished the stronger team with Gary Hartnett in particular providing great leadership in the final few minutes allowing Rochestown to run out easy winners on a score line of 3-11 to 1-3. This was an extremely strong Rochestown panel of over 30 players from many local clubs including Nemo Rangers, Douglas, Carrigaline, St. Michaels, Passage and Shamrocks. This win was just reward for all of the panels great effort from the beginning of the year with over 25 players being used during the campaign. By Liam Ó Murchú and Liam Sheehan. Spontaneous show of affection by senior Rochestown students Eoin Dolan at Rochestown Long Puck competition U14 county champions ! with Mr Ó Murchú and Mr. Sheehan (coaches) 4th Year 100m Final Awards Night Sailing 2010 The ISA 2010 Schools Team Racing Championships took place in Galway recently. The event was won by St Francis Collage, Rochestown led by Conor Lyden, while the runners up were Scoil Mhuire, led by Emma Geary, Schull Community College in third place, CBC, in fourth place and Presentation Boys Collage, in fifth. With 13 teams competing it was an excellent result for all the cork teams involved. The team consisting of Captain Conor Lyden, Brendan Lyden, Dermot Lyden, Chris Phelan, Peter Stokes, Luke Slattery, Oscar Morehead and Lorcan Fidgen. “We travelled to Galway on Friday night and competed over Saturday and Sunday. We won our Semi-final on Sunday against Schull Community Collage, who have one the event since it began. On Sunday we came up against Scoil Mhuire in the finals. Going into the last race of the finals it was all to sail for, with one race each. It was a tight race until the rounding of the last mark. We are delighted with our win and are looking forward to travelling to the British National Schools Team Racing Championships in Bough Beech, Kent at the end of June. And on to the World Team Racing Championships. We would like to thank our sponsors Lee Garage for their generous contributions , Nuala Lyden and Simon our coach for all the work they have put in throughout the year. Luke Slattery 2nd Year Academic Awards (2nd year) presented by Mr. K. McDonnell to Ciaran Dineen, Conor Twomey, Stephen O’Callaghan, Luke Harris, Craig o’Shea and Aidan Marnane. Merit Awards (1st year) presented by Mr. Sheehan to Ross O’Donoghue, Daniel Meany, Jason Foley and Sean Walsh. Capuchin Franciscan Award presented by Brother Jeremy to Robert Allen. Merit Awards (2nd year) presented by Ms. Kelleher to Colm Connolly, Conor Walter, Louis -Marie Akiki, Luke Harris and Aonghus Boland. Captain Conor Lyden, Brendan Lyden, Dermot Lyden, Chris Phelan, Peter Stokes, Luke Slattery, Oscar Morehead and Lorcan Fidgen. of Rochestown sailing team Basketball Rochestown College had a very successful year on the basketball court this season winning three of the possible four cork titles and competing in four All-Ireland tournaments where the 1st Years came closest losing in the All-Ireland final to a very strong Killorglin team. This season was our first year with a senior team and although some players were playing for the first time we were very successful. Although losing a game in the group stages the team showed great spirit and determination to go on and win the schools first basketball title for many years. Some of the highlights of the year were the performances of Adam kouba, a foreign student from the Czech Republic and Sean Cantwell who was the top scorer in the competition. Our success continued from here with wins in the first and second year finals. It is quite clear that basketball has a bright future in Rochestown as we have some very talented students in these younger classes. The season finished with an All-Ireland final appearance where the first years lost to a very good team despite great performances from our guards Owen Connolly and Aidan Power who both have bright futures in the game. We had some great team performances throughout the year with a contribution from a total of fourteen players. Rochestown u15 basketball team Rochestown u14 basketball team Scars Heal Awards Night Scars heal, wounds fade but the pain of losing you dad will never go away. The tears I cry and the pain I feel will never go away, but even though I know your gone and I know your here in spirit and watching over me every day and night and every time I look into the sky or when I’m feeling lonely I know your somewhere near. My life never be the same without you here in it but I know you want me to be strong and I’ll try my best to do it. This time God took you away too fast and made the wrong choice but he needed you for a reason and soon we’ll meet again in the skies way up high and know one can never replace you. I’ll always love you dad and may you rest in peace. 1961 2010. Xxxxxx Mark O’Shea, Transition Year, on the loss of his father earlier in the year Transition Year Soccer Marathon in aid of the victims of the Haiti Earthquake (March 24th) It all started with an idea a group of us, Transition Year students, had in order to raise some money for the victims of the horrific earthquake in Haiti last January. Listening to the news and reading the newspapers of the devastation that followed in the aftermath of this earthquake, we figured we could do something to help these people. Having considered our options we presented our fundraising proposal to a somewhat dubious Ms Slattery!! However with further tweaking and slight persuasion she gave us the green light. We then set up a committee with each member being assigned a specific task. We were given a specific time schedule and so the work began in earnest. Art Awards presented by Mr. Barrett to Andy Forsyte, Edmond O’Halloran, Sean Daly, Jim Spillane Our classmates were very enthusiastic about the idea and most of them were eager to get involved. A lot of work went into the organisation of the day itself. This included designing and printing the sponsor card, collecting money, organising teams and league tables, collecting money, organising prizes and food for the day. We had great fun organising the marathon, we learned a lot about team work and of course we missed a few classes along the way also!! It was hugely successful and enjoyable and it went off without a hitch apart from what seemed like the ever changing teams!! The winning team were presented with some sports gear, kindly sponsored by David Meaney’s Dad. Mark O’ Shea was our photographer for the day as well as ordering pizzas for everyone. We all agree that it was a great experience and we learned many a lesson that will stay with us and benefit us forever. Thanks to everybody that supported us, we raised ?2,000 which we donated to the Haven Foundation and hope that this will impact positively on the lives of the people of Haiti. We would like to thank Mr O Máthúna and Mr Greoger for their support of the event, Ms Slattery for helping us to organise it and for her patience throughout, and to all the other teachers who helped out on the day. Ciarán Looney 4th Year. Debater of the Year Awards presented by Ms. Farrelly to Ross O’Donoghue and Ben Wall. Student of the Year 2010, Ian Wallace, with his parents, Mr. O Mathuna (Principal) and Mr. Michael O’Connor (Guest Speaker). Basketball Awards presented by Mr. Barry and Mr. Lucy to Tomas Noonan, David O’Donnell, Luke Murphy, Shane Kingston, Sean Cantwell, Neill Murphy, Eoin Connolly and Adrian Power. Shane Collins,Daniel Coughlan, Gavin Shanihan, David Hogan, Cormac Murphy, Dillan Mc Sweeney and Mr. Lucey at Torc Waterfall, Killarney, Co. Kerry. Awards Night Guest speaker Mr. Michael O’Connor, Geriatrician, presenting Aonghus O’Drisceoil with his award for best Leaving Certificate 2009. Junior Innovation Awards presented by Ms. Rose to Gernard Killoran, Justin Tang, LouisMarie Akiki and Mark Breen. Academic Awards (1st year) presented by Ms. Farrelly to Leo Udaltsov, Christopher Brennan, , Darragh Jones, Jordan McDonnell, Rory O’Sullivan, Jack Ryan, Mark Power, Aidan Murnane and Conor Murphy. Merit Awards (4th year) presented by Brother Jeremy to Jack Smith, Kevin Power and Tomas O’Donovan. Ms. Slattery presents a cheque for 2000 euro to Ciaran Brennan and his father for the Haiti Haven Foundation on behalf of Transition Years who organised a soccer fund raising marathon. Soccer Awards presented by Mr. Murray to Ronan White, Eoghan Daly and Michael Quinn. Gaelic Football Awards presented by Mr. Hennessy to David Barrett ,David Kirk, Jack Ronan, Arron Ward and Luke Carroll. Merit Awards (5th Year) presented by Mr. Groeger (Deputy Principal) to Chris Twomey, Adrian Crofts and Dharmanshu Singh. History Awards presented by Mr. D. McDonnell to Darragh Connell and Andrew Rock.