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New Teachers Appointed

We are delighted to welcome new teachers to Scoil Mhuire NS for the 2018/19 school year; Johanna Fitzmaurice (who was with us last year), Ciara Deasy, Liam O’Driscoll and Odharnait Collins. We look forward to working with them during the year ahead and we’re sure the children will be looking forward to meeting them on the 29th August also. Details of which classes they will be teaching are on the following link http://schullns.com/about-our-school/

Girls Sciath na Scol Final Match Report

Well done but ultimately hard luck to our girls team which peformed so admirably in their Sciath na Scol final against Newcestown played in Clonakilty Sports Complex. We had high expectations coming into the final but from the off it soon became apparent that we would have a challenge on our hands. Our goalkeeper Chloe Stam is arguably the best goalkeeper in the Sciath na Scol league and she proved so once again yesterday with a number of point blank saves and blocks. She was well protected in front however with a full back line of Annie O’Callaghan and Ella Mai Griffin. Annie controlled that space in front of the goal with assured confidence and athleticism and stylishly brought the ball out from defence on numerous occasions. She was greatly helped by Ella Mai who ran herself to the ground, never once letting her direct opponent out of her sight. Vice-captain Caoimhe Griffin at centre back was one of the players of the match. Time and time again, the Newcestown attack perished on the rock that is Caoimhe. She won her battles in the air and on the ground. She intercepted passes all day and was responsible for setting up many of the Scoil Mhuire attacks. Sophie Logan at wing back was probably one of the players on the pitch who had most touches of the ball by the final whistle. Even when Sophie looked beaten, she never was. She battled heroically for every ball and was a vital cog in a hard working defence. Similarly on the other wing, such was the assuredness of her play, it was clear and obvious to see that Aisling Dineen too has plenty of football pedigree (her father and sister having represented Cork at various levels). Midfield was the engine room of our team. Sarah McSweeney (who this weekend will represent Cork at the primary game in Thurles) was majestic. Like a hot knife through butter, her direct running style split the Newcestown defence on several occasions. At times it seemed like Sarah was more so in a battle zone than on a football field such was the level of attention she received from the opposition. It didn’t deter her however and in true McSweeney style, everytime she got knocked down, she got up again. Her midfield partner Shauna O’Driscoll complemented Sarah and was instrumental in everything that was positive for us. Her relentless energy allied to her superb balance and skill posed many headaches for the opposition throughout.  Captain fantastic Samantha Ross at centre forward was the focus of our attack. A clinical finisher and one of our key players, she too was singled out for close attention. She was a major threat throughout however and still ended the game with a number of scores. At wing forward Brenna Guy played a very sensible game, creating space in the forwards and moving the ball through the lines creating a link between the defence and forward line. On the other wing Hannah Jardi was superb and her endless running and battling qualites were rewarded when she kicked a sensational point in the second half. The full forward line was ably led by Claire Roycroft. Claire won numerous amounts of possession and was an intergral link in our forward play throughout, laying off passes left and right to her on-rushing teammates. Beside her was Liadh O’Donovan from fourth class. Despite her tender age, Liadh played with great courage and conviction throughout and will undoubtely continue to be a star for Scoil Mhuire NS in the next number of years. Our substitutes made telling impacts also. Stella Schladt has only been in our school a short time and is originally from Germany which wouldn’t be considered a GAA stronghold. You wouldn’t have known this however given her display as she slotted in seemlessly, testament to her talent and application. Our other sub Emily Wood also made a telling contribution when introduced eventhough it was only for a brief period. Despite our valiant efforts right to the final whistle, Newcestown emerged victorious by a small margin. The girls can be very proud of their immense efforts and perhaps one of the most pleasing aspects of the day was the manner of their spirit, determination and never-say-die attitude even when the game looked to be slipping away from them. These are positive attributes that will stand to them in the future, not just on the sporting field but in life in general. Other vital players who played important roles in previous games against Castletownbere and Enniskeane and thus helping us reach the final were Shauna Stam, Aine Meadbh O’Regan, Sydni Campbell, Kiva Scannell, Ayla Solari and Saira Collard O’Driscoll . All these players are eligible for next year again so we look forward to seeing them get more game time! Well done one and all!

Boys Sciath na Scol Final Match Report

Commiserations and truly hard luck to our boys team in their Sciath na Scol final against Newcestown played at Clonakilty Sports Complex.

Throw-in was at the unusually early time of 9.50am! Almost immediately the game raced into life in a helter-skelter type fashion. The ball zipped from end to end with both sides missing early chances. However, mid way through the first half, Scoil Mhuire were hit by a couple of sucker punches of goals as Newcestown strode into an early lead. In typical battling fashion however and a testament to the characters on our team, Scoil Mhuire NS didn’t lie down. We tacked on a number of points and despite peppering the Newcestown goal with multiple shots, the goal we craved in the first half eluded us. Throughout the game, Paddy Murphy in goal was a beacon of steadiness and he confidently dealt with everything that came his way. Our defence was expertly marshalled by David Coughlan. Time and time again he foiled Newcestown attack after attack, reading the play in a fashion more akin to that of an All-Star intercounty defender than a Sciath na Scol player. A colossus throughout! He was however ably assisted in the full back line by stylish young defender Shane Crowley who played with much more bravery than his fourth class status would suggest. Vice-captain Ryan Whelton is the tough tackling pacy defender of our team. He was a bundle of energy throughout and when moved onto one of the danger men of the Newcestown forward line, Ryan immediately nullified his dominance. As he has been throughout the campaign, Ted Goggin was a model of consistency on the wing and was responsible for setting up many of our attacks down the right side. On the other wing Eoin O’Brien in his usual determined style put his heart and soul into every tackle and challenge and can be very proud of his contribution throughout. At midfield, we probably had two of the most stylish players on view. Captain fantastic James McKnight lead by example from start to finish. With his cultured left leg allied to fitness levels similar to that of a marathon runner, James left absolutely nothing out on the field. The other half of our midfield duo, Tom Ryan Purcell was simply a colussus and was the heartbeat of our team. In his own unique effortless style, he ran himself to a standstill as he tackled, blocked, carried and scored. His goal in the second half was unstoppable from the moment it left his boot. Frank Goggin, another in the line of the talented Goggin family, was probably the tightest marked player on the pitch. Identified from the beginning by the opposition as one of our key players, Frank endured a lot of attention throughout. He remained a thorn in their side however, wining numerous frees and converting many of them himself. His cousin Timmy O’Driscoll on the wing beside him linked well with his other forwards and foraged bravely for every scrap of possession. On the other wing Fintan O’Brien, a fourth class pupil showed tremendous confidence and displayed a high workrate. He showcased all the skills of the game regularly using both feet to pass and shoot. One to watch for the future for sure. In the full forward line, dual player Theo Morgan displayed some deft touches, winning possession regularly and linking up with his other forwards. Another dual player in the full forward line, Paudie O’Regan was a constant threat to the Newcestown defence and had a great shot saved off the goal line. Scoil Mhuire also had another shot rebound off the post in the second half as lady luck seemed to desert us at that critical stage as we laid siege to their goal. Ultimately it wasn’t to be and despite the valiant efforts of out field substitute Jack O’Brien Hayes, who played in goal in earlier rounds we were unable to reduce the deficit. Other vital players who played important roles in previous games against Castletownbere and Enniskeane and thus helping us reach the final were Luke Ward, Sasha Sahovs, Charlie Lannin, Conor Lawson, Evan Dukelow, Louis Anderson Dolan, Paul Legrix, Stephen Hurley, Joe O’Driscoll, Ryan O’Driscoll and Dermot Ward. Many of these players are eligible for next year again so we look forward to seeing them get more game time! Well done one and all!

‘Biodiversity’ Green Flag for Scoil Mhuire NS

Well done to pupils Coey Scannell and Jack O’Brien Hayes, members of our Green Schools Committee who represented Scoil Mhuire NS at the Green Schools award ceremony in Little Island on Wednesday. This latest Flag was our fifth in total, and its theme was Biodiversity. It will now fly proudly next to those already earned by Scoil Mhuire NS in previous years for themes of Litter and Waste, Energy, Water, and Travel. Well done to the hard working Green Schools Committee and all our pupils without whose dedicated work this would not have been possible, to Ms. Aishling O’Sullivan for co-ordinating the process along with Mr. O’Callaghan and Ms. Roycroft who were involved throughout. Thanks also to all teachers for their work with their individual classes and to the Biodiversity experts who visited our school throughout the year passing on their enthusiasm and knowledge to our pupils. Stay tuned for a celebratory Flag Raising Day at Scoil Mhuire NS in June. Details to be announced shortly!

Musician John Spillane visits Scoil Mhuire NS

Introducing John Spillane; musician, songwriter, performer, recording artist, storyteller, poet and dreamer! Scoil Mhuire NS were honoured and very fortunate that John visited our school last week and entertained us for well over an hour. In the relaxed and intimate setting of Fr. Hurley Hall, John sang many songs from his album “Irish Songs we learned at School”. He was ably accompanied throughout by our pupils from Junior Infants to 6th class along with many parents who came along to enjoy the event. Classics such as Baidin Fheilimi, Oro se do Bheatha Abhaile, Seamusin, An Poc ar Buile and many more were blasted out in between colourful and entertaining anecdotes from the dreamer and poet himself. Many thanks to Ms. Pauline O’Sullivan for organising the event and also to all the class teachers for helping the children learn the songs prior to John’s arrival.