StGerard’s School

DRAMA FESTIVAL

We are once again delighted to have been in a position to perform at the Bray One Act Drama Festival in the Mermaid Theatre, Bray. In their production of ‘The Edelweiss Pirates’, based upon the German Youth Movement of the late 1930s, our senior drama group were multiple award winners at this year’s festival. Awards presented on the evening included Best Production – The Edelweiss Pirates, Best Actor in a Female Role – Sorcha Kennedy and Best Actor in a Male Role – Luke Shanahan. Superb achievement everyone.

CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK

This week in St Gerard’s School we celebrated Catholic Schools Week. The theme for the week, January 27 to February 3, was ‘Catholic Schools: Celebrating the work of Our Own Catholic School’. Our Religious Education were instrumental in coordinating the range of events, presentations and activities for our students during the week. On St Brigid’s Day, February 1, our first year students made St Brigid’s crosses to bring home to their families.

UCD BUSINESS SCHOOL

Our Transition Year students who studied Business at Junior Certificate in the State Examinations 2018 and attained an ‘A’ grade at Higher Level were invited to attend a celebration of their achievement in the UCD Lochlann Quinn Business School last week. Their grades were acknowledged by the Lochlann Quinn Business School with the presentation of a Certificate of Achievement form UCD. A fabulous achievement ladies and gentlemen, well done.

DEBATING

Congratulations to our nine debaters on the Mace debating team who have all qualified for the Leinster Finals which will be held on March 2 in CBC Monkstown. We all wish you continued success in the Finals. Also in debating we wish Emilia Connolly the best of luck in the next round of the Soroptimist Public Speaking Competition to be held in early February.

SPORTING PRESS

Well done to all the St Gerard’s teams who competed in the East Leinsters on Tuesday, January 22 – Minor Girls and boys, Junior Girls, Inter Boys and girls all giving their best efforts. In the Individuals Section we had two qualifiers for the Leinster Championships. Louise O’Riordan in the junior category who came sixth in her race at and Aaron Donnolly in the Senior Boys category who came second in his race. In the Team Section our Senior Boys were our most successful team on the day coming fourth overall. Unfortunately they missed team qualification for the Leinster Championships by one place. The Leinster Championships will be hosted in Santry later in February.

Our SCT faced Newbridge College in the first round of the Leinster Schools Senior Cup last Wednesday in St Mary’s RFC Having put two penalties over in the early part of the tie we were to go in at half-time 5-6 down as Newbridge ran in a late unconverted try. The tie continued with both sides giving no quarter in the second half. Winger James Kennedy ran in a spectacular unconverted try mid-way through the second half however the Newbridge side were to run out eventual winners on a scoreline of 11-17. We wish Newbridge College every success in the remainder of the competition. you to Ms Murray for facilitating, and congratulations to all the art students who entered this very worthwhile competition.

SOCCER NEWS

FIRST YEAR LEINSTER B CUP: ST KILIAN’S CS 4 GAELCHOLÁISTE CHEATHARLACH 2: In their first competitive football match for St Kilian’s, the First year boys were victorious against their Carlow opponents. The journey to Carlow seemed to have no ill effect on the players as they got off to the quickest possible start scoring within 40 seconds of the kick off. A great cross from Cian Crabb to Daragh Ward, who set up Michael Doran McGrath and he slotted the ball home. The Carlow team equalised on the 20th but within minutes, St Kilian’s had retaken the lead again. This goal, scored by Cian Bryne, by blocking an attempted clearance from the Gaelcholáiste Cheatharlach’s Keeper, and deflecting it into the net.

The second half started exactly the same way as the first but this time it only took 28 seconds to score the next goal. Michael Doran McGrath played the ball to Jack McEnvoy on the right wing and he delivered a brilliant cross to Cian Crabb, who tapped the ball into the goal. This was quickly followed by Dylan Dowling, who scored St Kilian’s fourth goal, a superb strike from outside the box into the bottom left corner. Playing in defence for St Kilian’s were, Jack and Oisin Allen, Dylan Maloney, Zach Ryan and Emir Demirkol, who all put in a really good shift. In nets, Ross McAteer pulled off a number of good saves at important times during the game. Seán O’Connell, Nathan Kennedy and Jake Peare also played their part in this victory. Heartiest congratulations and well done to all including their coach mr. Donohoe. Next up is Dublin Oak Academy on Wednesday the 16th.

FIRST YEARS WICKLOW/WEXFORD LEAGUE ST KILIAN’S CS 3 DUBLIN OAK ACADEMY 5: The first year boys of St Kilian’s were defeated in their opening game of the Wicklow/Wexford League but they can hold their heads up proudly. Playing the current champions, they found themselves 3-0 after 20 minutes and easily could have dropped their heads but they did the opposite.

Cian Byrne scored the first goal just before half time, an excellent finish to an excellent move. Dylan Maloney started the move in defence with a one two with Cian Crabb and then playing a wonderful ball to Cian Byrne, who shot from outside the box to hit the net. This really settled the players down and lifted their spirits going into the break.

The second half started in a similar way with Michael Dorian McGrath scoring St Kilian’s second. The central defence partnership of Emir Demirko and Zach Ryan broke up an attack from Dublin Oak and this time Michael was played in on goal and he scored. Michael then got the equaliser mid way through this half and this was full deserved, a carbon copy of his first. The first years boys pushed hard to score next but the fairytale finish was not to be and Dublin Oak scored the next, sadly this took the wind out of the sails of St Kilian’s. In the dying moments Dublin Oak scored their fifth goal, which probably flattered our lads. It was an extremely close encounter and the boys can be very proud of their efforts as is their coach Mr Donohoe. He is extremely proud of them.

Next up is Temple Carrig and a win is needed to progress to the next stage. If the boys go out with the same heart and determination, they are in with a real shout. Best of luck to this big hearted and very promising young team, and to their ever supportive and enthusiastic coach Mr Donohoe.