St.Leonards School News - Leagues,Graduation Mass and Swimming Gala

27 June 2016

ST. LEONARD’S SCHOOL NEWS: (1) Monday 20th June was an important night for St Leonard’s N.'.S as it marked the culmination of many weeks of our exciting school hurling leagues. The junior final was contested by Dan MacEneaney’s team and Eoin Ryan’s team. The skills shown by these young players amazed the supporters with very good ball - striking and tackling by both boys and girls. At full - time the score was tied at 1-1 and the game went to extra time. Dan’s team edged ahead during the short period and emerged victorious by a whisker.
The senior game was contested by Jimmy O Neill’s team and Joe Fitzpatrick’s team. Both captains were fired up for the occasion, driving the pace of the game. Jimmy’s team took an early lead 1-01,but with Joe’s manager, Ms Connolly, shouting encouragement they came back strong and lead by a point at half - time. Jimmy’s manager, Ms Croke, used the half time break well to motivate her team and they came out in the second half with a steely determination, again going ahead by 2 goals. Joe’s team did not give up however and fought hard to get it back to the narrowest of margins. When Joe headed for goal, his supporters were shouting him on. Unfortunately, it went wide, the whistle blew and victory belonged to Jimmy’s team. Joe was magnanimous in defeat, shaking all of his opponents’ hands graciously.
All retired to the hall afterwards where the teams were presented with plaques and medals. Jimmy’s speech incorporated all that the league stands for, the involvement of all children, the involvement of staff, the encouragement of parents and thanks to Pascal Connolly without whom the leagues would not run.Photos below.


(2) Wednesday 22nd June saw St.  Leonard’s school bid farewell to its 13 sixth class students, 10 boys and 3 girls. Ms Connolly prepared a beautiful tribute, including mass, for their departure, celebrated by Fr Flavin and highlighting their many achievements and activities. The music was a suitable backdrop for the occasion, prompting a few parental tears. They were presented with certificates by Ms Delahunty who spoke of the maturity, friendliness and good humour of the students who will be missed around the school, as well parents who were leaving the school community. The children presented the staff with gifts and then staff parents and children enjoyed refreshments served by the parents association The 6th class who graduated are: Emma Dunne, Shannon Wall, Charlotte Davis, Padraig Davis, Richard Maher, Steven Shiel, Ben Kinsella, Ben O Sullivan, Aaron Moore, Joe Fitzpatrick, Jimmy O Neill, Ruaidhri Holden and Mike Thomas. Photos below.


(3 )St.  Leonard’s N'S went to the swimming gala this year with 32 swimmers and came home with an amazing 14 medals, 9 gold, 3 silver and 2 bronze. All the swimmers did their school proud with many making finals. Cormac Holden u 8 won gold, followed by Tim Doherty gold u 9,and Emily Ryan bronze u 9,John Hayes won gold u 10 as did Blaichin Holden. There were 3 medals u 11, Ellie Kinsella and Noah Gilmore silver and Grace O’Sullivan bronze. There was only one medal in the older age, Ruaidhri Holden silver u 12 but there was a very close 4th for Aaron Moore u 12.
Then came the relays. The girls were v unlucky not to make the final but the boys, after a shaky heat stormed to gold amid huge cheering from the side-lines in the final. The overall scores were counted and St Leonard’s came 2nd overall, beaten by only 2 points by a strong Callan team. Well done to all the swimmers.Photos below.