Transition years:
Congratulations to Cian Egan and Sarah Malone in TY for their entries into Offaly Enterprise competition last week. Cian’s country candles won recognition and landed him €100. Sarah’s project was to create a visual summary to raise awareness on Cerebral Palsy . Some of the students in the Cluny Centre entered their Cluny Crafts , a fabulous collection of cushions and soft toys that they had made in class.
Mr Deery, Mrs Breen and Mrs Corbett took one of the TY classes to the Bell table Arts Centre Limerick last week. The Transition Year group made a short film entitled ” I am what I am “which focused on Inclusion and it was screened at the Fresh Film Festival which took place at the Bell table Arts Centre. It was a great achievement to get the film screened as there were 250 entries in that film category. Thanks to Mr Deery for his guidance with this project.
This week saw the TYs complete the physical part of their Gaisce Programme with their 2-day outdoor visit to Birr Outdoor Educational Centre where they undertook a 15km hike from the “cut” in the Slieve Bloom Mountains to Cadamstown on one day and then canoeing from Shannonbridge to Banagher the following day. The leaders in Birr had huge praise for their enthusiasm and participation. Thanks to Ms Kelly for overseeing the Gaisce Programme for TYs
GALLEN CS WIN FIRST NORTH LEINSTER JUVENILE FOOTBALL TITLE SINCE 2001″
A gallant Gallen CS side under the tutelage of Mark Garry and Georgie Phibbs pipped a brave Pipers Hill College Naas by the minimum margin in this tense final played at a well-appointed but cold Ballykelly on Monday last. Gallen CS had beaten Clonaslee VS in the semi-final and Pipers Hill had beaten Bush PP from Louth in their semi-final. It was a big occasion for the young footballers of both sides who were likely representing their school in a final for the first time. Both teams were understandably nervous, and this was reflected in the opening exchanges with passages of play from both sides lacking fluency.
Both sides had numerous chances in that low scoring half . Pipers Hill hit the crossbar and their goal keeper made good stops from goal bound shots by Luke Coleman and Conor Beirne .
The Pipers Hill number 8 and their centre half back were having a big say on the game and the number 8 stamped his authority with two points added to by a point from their full forward leaving the half time score Pipers Hill College 0-3 Gallen CS 0-0.
Gallen made a tactical switch at half time . Patrick Taaffe moved to midfield with James Buckley going to centre half back. This had the dual effect of curbing the Pipers Hill midfielder and creating an attacking platform for Gallen.
You got the feeling that once Gallen got on the scoreboard that the nerves would ease and the confidence and scores would flow. Ronan Flynn goaled to level the match five minutes into the second half and points by Luke Coleman and two points from the influential Conor Beirne saw Gallen score 1-3 in five minutes to lead 1-3 to 0-3.
Gallen were further boosted by points from Eoghan Grennan and Beirne again. A Pipers Hill point made it 1-5 to 0-4 before 12 minutes from time Gallen struck for their second goal when Luke Coleman slotted a soccer style shot low to the net after Conor Beirne’s shot rebounded off the post. Gallen now led 2-5 to 0-4 and it looked done and dusted.
However, that proved to be Gallen’s last score and two Pipers Hill goals one from their wing back after a goalmouth scramble and the other from their full forward who palmed the ball to the net , left the bare minimum between the sides but Gallen held on for a merited victory .
Oisin Carroll was very solid in goals making a crucial save with ten minutes to go. Donal Flynn , Michael Spillane and Saran Flynn made up a dependable full back line. Mark Wren was outstanding at half back and along with his half back comrades Ruairi o Neill and Patrick Taaffe {who was later excellent at midfield] formed a solid half back line.
James Buckley prospered when moved to centre half back and Conor Beirne was a big influence with his three second half points , one delightfully clipped over from an acute angle.
Matthew Darcy worked hard at wing forward as did Conor Grennan . Luke Coleman was rewarded with 1-1 for his perseverance. In the inside line Brian Carroll was brave to a fault , Eoghan Grennan got a vital point and Ronan Flynn got Gallen’s vital first goal.
The Gallen CS replacements , Ciaran Lally who won a good supply of ball , Sean Carroll , Luke Kelly and Dylan Daly all played their parts.
Gallen move onto a Leinster semi-final against Colaiste Eoin Hacketstown or Ramsgrange CS Wexford.
Gallen CS Panel – Oisin Carroll, Saran Flynn , Michael Spillane, Donal Flynn , Mark Wren , Patrick Taaffe, Ruairi o Neill, James Buckley , Conor Beirne , Matthew Darcy , Luke Coleman , Conor Grennan , Brian Carroll, Eoghan Grennan , Ronan Flynn , Sean Carroll , Ciaran Lally , Dylan Daly , Luke Kelly , Mikey Flaherty , Nathan mc Intyre , Charlie Gilson, Reuben Egan , Fergal Bracken , Shane Fitzgerald Kenny and Eoghan Tighe.
Congratulations to Ferbane Scor Ballad Group who won the Leinster title in Wexford last week, all past students of Gallen who are pictured with members of the Birr Set dancers groups who also won , whom Ms Scully is a member also.
