Colman’s students “beefing” up for Croker
Colmanites Cathal McAuliffe, Kian O’Donoghue, Darragh Morrison and Diarmuid O’Donovan have reached the All-Ireland stages of the Certified Irish Angus Schools Competition.
As a result of a rigorous interview and a compelling presentation, these Transition Year students are now one of thirty group finalists who have been selected to go forward to the competition exhibition in Croke Park on 1st April. Here, they will exhibit their project ideas to a number of judges and experts from the agri-food industry. The final five successful groups will receive Angus calves at the National Ploughing Championships in September 2022.
This exciting competition which is run with partners ABP Ireland and Kepak Group, challenges students to rear five Irish Angus calves over 18 months while completing a research project. The project themes will cover the important topics of Improving Animal Genetics; Sustainable Agriculture; Farm Health & Safety; and Increasing Consumer Awareness of the Quality of Irish Food and in Particular Irish Beef.
The initiative aims to promote the Certified Irish Angus brand, while educating students about the care and attention required to produce quality beef for consumers. Each group also benefits from the proceeds raised through the sale of the animals at the end of the competition. The overall winners also receive a bursary towards further education.
‘AMBITIOUS’ PROJECT
Student Diarmuid O’Donovan, who is relishing the prospect of presenting in Croke Park, reflected on emerging from the initial stages of the competition.
“The judges really liked our idea but the only thing they said was that it was very ambitious. However, I think that is a good thing because you have to be ambitious in order to make a change in something that needs changing.”
Their Agricultural Science teacher and mentor, Ms. Kearney is incredibly impressed by her students.
“The boys have shown great initiative and dedication working on this project. They have such enthusiasm and I know that they will put in a serious effort to be successful in the final in Croke Park. Whatever the outcome I am so proud of what the boys achieved.”
Congratulations to these boys and we wish them the very best in Croker on April 1st.