Coachford College students honoured

THE outstanding achievements of past and current pupils from Coachford College over the last academic year have been honoured at the school’s recent awards night.

Always one of the highlights of the school calendar, the event was a welcome opportunity for staff, pupils and proud family members to congregate and recall some of the highlights of what has been yet another outstanding year for the school.

First order of the night was to formally welcome the guests of honour Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Michael Creed TD and past pupil Cork Rose Erinn O’ Connell, after which the Leaving Cert class of 2018 was recognised for its achievements.

It was down to the serious business of handing out the awards, the scope of which encapsulated the ever-expanding range of curricular and extra-curricular activities at the school.

The prestigious Trustee’s Award for the highest leaving cert points tally went to Jack O’Riordan.

This saw Richard Cotter, Jenny Brew-Dinan and Cathal Crowley also recognised for being awarded third-level scholarships.

Junior cert pupils Kate Donovan, Ellie O’Connell, Aoife McCarthy were honoured for their results, as was Kevin Cooper, who received a gold medal for coming first in Cork for his metalwork project.

The TY Student of the Year award recipient Julie Tarrant was also jointly honoured along with Sarah Byrne, Mark Kelleher, Adam Leahy, Padraig O’ Sullivan and Aoife Riordan for helping to organise a danceoff that raised €4,739 for Marymount Hospice.

The sporting prowess of students was recognised as well through a wide number of awards.

All-Ireland camogie and intermediate stars Aideen Buckley, Miriam Cotter, Ciara Ring, Cliona Healy, Ciara McCarthy, Katie McCarthy and Cliona Healy were all honoured through this.

GAA players Katie McCarthy, Bríd Cotter, Robyn Martin, Amy Dineen, Ryan Leahy and Paul Ring also won awards in their respective age groups in this regard.

One of the biggest cheers of the night was reserved for boxer James Power, who had just returned from Mexico after winning his second professional bout.

Perhaps the most anticipated award of the night was Student of the Year.

This went to Danny Datson, a worthy and most popular winner.

The music department under Colette Kidney make a huge contribution to the night, in particular Leah Buckley and Scott Downey who held the audience spellbound with their solo performances.

Junior cert award winners, Aoife McCarthy, Kate Donovan, Ellie O’ Connell with Minister Creed.

The winner of the languages award, Richard Cotter, with Principal Áine Máire Ní Fhaolain, Minister Creed, and Cork Rose Erinn O’Connell.

Student of the year Danny Datson with Principal Áine Máire Ní Fhaolain, Minister Creed, Cork Rose Erinn O’Connell and Deputy Principal Edward Williamson.

Scott Downey enthralled the audience with his rendition ‘Nella Fantasia’.

Delighted award winners Marie O’Reilly and Mary O’Riordan with Minister Creed.

Junior GAA Player of the year Ryan Leahy with school principal Áine Máire Ní Fhaolain.

Awards winners Eoghan McCarthy and Katie McCarthy with Cork Rose Erinn O’ Connell

Minister Creed congratulating professional boxer James Power.

Kevin Cooper, gold medal winner for first place for his Junior Cert metalwork project in Cork city and county.