Davy Fitz leads well wishes for St Pat’s students
THEY may not have been able to attend their end-of-year graduation party but the students of St Patrick’s School got an unforgettable send off courtesy of some of the nation’s most famous faces.
Organised by teachers, staff and parents, videos containing messages of congratulations from Robbie Keane, Davy Fitzgerald and Daniel O’Donnell, among others, ensured the students went out on a high.
The Wexford hurling manager paid tribute to the class of 2020 and their ability to overcome adversity in his address. ‘Well done,’ said Davy, ‘it’s been a tough few months but we’ve all come through it and hopefully we’ll have a great summer now.’
Also offering her congratulations was RTÉ Education Correspondent, Emma O’Kelly. ‘I was really lucky at RTÉ to visit your school not once, but twice, and put it on the news,’ she said. ‘I was so impressed with what I saw when I visited St Pat’s.
‘Now the serious bit, some advice for you: I want you all to keep learning and be proud of all the special talents you have, and most of all have as much fun as you can possibly have in the coming years.’
Soccer legends Paul McGrath and Robbie Keane provided some words of inspiration before hurling star, Diarmuid O’Keefe, spoke to the students.
‘Massive shout out to all the students and staff and, in particular, the graduation class this year,’ he said. ‘I know you’re all mad Wexford hurling fans, I heard all about ye and how you’re great supporters of Davy Fitz and the team. Thanks very much and best of luck.’
Diarmuid’s teammate Lee Chin took some time away from preparing for the rescheduled club championships to offer his best wishes before everyone’s favourite sweetheart, a certain Daniel O’Donnell, came on screen.
‘I know you’re not having a graduation there but the online is just as exciting, and I hope you enjoy it as much as you possibly can. Well done on all your achievements, all the best for the future and God bless,’ said Daniel.
Comedian PJ Gallagher offered his congratulations as did RTÉ’s Miriam O’Callaghan.
‘I’ve heard from your principal Mr Rogers about what an incredible group of students you are. how hard you’ve worked and how proud your parents, your friends, your families, your teachers and your principal are,’ she said.
‘So I feel honoured to be able to praise you, I know you’re now going into your community placements, community iniatives and I know you’re going to have a wonderful time so congratulations and God bless.’
And Principal Lee Rogers said organising the videos and getting so many well-known faces to offer their well wishes had been a team effort.
‘One of the people here is involved with the GAA so that was how we got Davy, Diarmuid and Lee. A parent had been on Primetime so she helped us get Miriam.
‘ Then one of our SNAs, Lisa O’Keefe, she knows everybody, she got Robbie Keane and Paul McGrath. My wife emailed Daniel O’Donnell to see if he’d do it,’ he said.
The graduation party might not have gone ahead as scheduled, but Lee was hopeful that, as restrictions continue to ease, it could be rescheduled for later in the year.
‘We’d normally do a big night in the Riverside with a presentation, give them their certs, have a bite to eat, disco and a dance, but obviously we couldn’t do that this year.
‘Once everything calms down, maybe in the autumn, we’re hoping to give them a proper send off in the Riverside.’