In Pictures: Academic excellence and sporting achievements recognised at Knockbeg College holds awards day

May 17, 2023 Abraham Smith

Knockbeg College recently held its annual Parents’ Day Mass and Awards to recognize and celebrate the wonderful achievements and efforts of the school community over the past year.

The fair was celebrated by high-ranking guests; Bishop Nulty, Fr. Dunphy, Mons. Byrne and Father Furlong as well as the school choir contributed enormously to the occasion.

The Merit Award is given to one student from each year who, in the opinion of the subject teachers, has made the most progress during the year and has made a great effort to improve.

The winners were: Ben Corrigan (Year 1), Aodhan Bergin (Year 2), Febin Manoj (Year 3), Cathal Buggle (Year 5) and Oisin Jackson (Year 6).

The Achievement Award is presented to the top-performing student in each grade based on their results on the formal exams throughout the year.

The winners were: Eoghan Harris (Year 1), James McDonnell (Year 2), Kevin McKeon (Year 3), Cathal Hennessy (Year 5) and Conor Bowe (Year 6).

Congratulations to Jack McGeer and Ryan Clancy for their outstanding contribution to the arts and music respectively. Both students received awards in these categories.

James Hovenden received the Comhaltas Prize in recognition of his commitment and promotion of the Irish music genre.

The following students received the JP2 award for the outstanding work they have done in their respective communities: Daniel Brennan (Silver), Ewan Morrissey (Silver), James Hovenden (Gold), John Phiri (Gold) and Tadhg Ronan (Gold ). .

On the sporting front, the older footballers have done quite well, with vice-captain Jesse McEvoy presenting Mr Ronan with the Carlow School trophy, while captain Jamie Conway presented Mr Carew with the South Leinster A League title.

First-year footballers captain Darragh Brennan presented Father with the Laois Schools Blitz trophy. Dunphy.

Matthew Farrell, John Phiri, Cian Campion and Aaron Gordon were selected to the SETU Carlow Schools All Stars Hurling Team.

While Matthew Farrell, John Phiri, Cialan Brady, Conall Bergin and Aodhan Lowry were inducted into the SETU Carlow Schools All Stars Gaelic Football team.

The Gaelic Star Award winners were: Mark Buggy (U14), Ennae Byrne (Junior) and Conall Bergin (Senior).

The Senior Basketballers reached the All Ireland semi-finals in cup competition and received bronze medals for their performances.

The Basketballer of the Year Awards winners were: Liam Hooney (Year 1), Aodhan Bergin (Year 2), Mikey Byrne (Junior), Jack Kehoe (Senior), and Conall Bergin (Jumpsuit).

In athletics, several individual and team medals have been won in both cross-country and track and field events in the Laois and South Leinster competitions.

The winners of the Athlete of the Year award were Will Duffy (Year 1), Finn Craig (Junior) and Makenzie McIvor (Senior).

The overall Sportsman of the Year award went to Jack Byrne for his great contribution to sport at Knockbeg College, representing the school during his six years in Gaelic football, basketball and hurling.

Congratulations were also given to the following students who have excelled in their area of expertise in the sporting field: Jack Kehoe, who represents Ireland on the U-19 basketball team, Tadhg Ronan is a member of the Leinster U-19 rugby team, Kevin McKeown ( Leinster Ice Hockey), Febin Manoj (Provincial Cricket for Leinster), Conor Buckley (Pony Club Games National). team) and Finn Craig (Representing Ireland in the World Hill Climb).

The Green Schools Committee has worked tirelessly this year to receive the second Green Schools flag for water. It is no surprise that two of its members, Kevin McKeon and Finn Criag, received the Parents’ Award for their great contribution to Knockbeg College in many different areas.

The Amber flag has also been maintained due to organizing wellbeing initiatives and promoting positive mental health.

The Parents’ Association continued their support and with their support Michael Gaffney, John Phiri (both 5th year), Jack Dowling (2nd year) and Eoin Mulkerrins (1st year) are going to the Gaeltacht this summer.

Well-loved secretary Noeleen Heffernan of 32 years retired this year and this milestone was celebrated by both staff and the board at an event earlier in the year.

The Parents’ Association and Student Union recognized Noeleen’s outstanding service to Knockbeg by giving her a presentation on the day.

Every year, graduates from the previous year who have achieved excellent results in their diploma are invited back.

Fergus Langton, Colin Phelan, Matthew Buggy and Pablo Byrne were present from last year’s Leaving Cert course.

Brian Broderick, Daniel Brennan, Bobby Daly, Mikey Kelly, Brian Cox, Luke Doogue, John Phiri, Josh Brady, Gavin Dowling and Adam Hennessy were thanked for their role as Meitheal leaders who helped the first years settle into Knockbeg integrate and enable a smooth transition from elementary school to post-elementary school.

Fiacc Brennan, Conall Bergin, Fionn Heslin, Patrick Joyce, Patrick Marnane and Tadhg Ronan served as prefects and were brilliant role models in the school community.

A big part of what Knockbeg prides itself on is community service and raising funds for charities.

This year €5,000 was raised for many different charities including SVP, Pieta House, Embrace Farm and the Donal Walsh Foundation.

The school yearbook is hot off the press – just published last week. Ms. Fenelon and the editorial team did a tremendous job getting it to the point.

Mr Maxwell helped with the athletic department and it is an account of the year’s activities, both curricular and extracurricular.

A special mention goes to Mr Murphy, Mrs Law and the Kilquan Players for conducting a raffle during intermission at one of their evenings of theater in Coon in February.

Congratulations to one of the TY students, Darren Garcia, who designed the image of the college crest on the back.

The price for one year is only €10, two can be purchased for €15. All earnings are greatly appreciated.

Many thanks to Photographer of the School Patrick Kelly for providing the images which can be found above and below: