Hard luck to the Cadet Girls Basketball Team and their coach Ms. Marie O Mahony who were beaten at home today in the Cup by a very strong Blarney team. Our girls did their best and we are extremely proud of their performance.
Pictured are members of the School’s Gael Linn Debating Team who won the first round of the Munster Championship last week in Macroom. Comhghairdeas to them and the Irish Department.
Despite the heroic efforts of our hardworking girls, the much anticipated battle between Skibbereen Community School and high flyers St. Angelas ended in a 36 to 32 point defeat for our side.
While we knew the formidable challenge that we faced, this was a game we should have won. When you keep a talented side like St. Angelas to 36 points, you know you have done an excellent job in defence and our girls are all tenacious defenders who have a Tomás O'Mahony - like work rate. Before tip off, the talk on everyone's lips was how we were going to curb the Daire Dignan threat and indeed her beautifully taken 3 pointer was the opening score of the game. The promise of more to come was the focus of our attention from the off and our girls stepped up to the challenge confining her to a mere nine points.
However, our side was slow to get our offence firing. Our motion offence allowed us exquisite opportunities for easy scores but we squandered them time and time again. It takes time to get used to strange boards. Under the relentless Angela's pressure, our passing was often weak and indecisive. You can get away with this against a weak side but we paid a heavy price for our carelessness here. Angelas extended their lead and early in the third quarter, the Skib girls faced a deficit of 16 points.
But these girls never know when they are beaten. In the middle of the third quarter, Lia Hogan emerged as the real leader on the court. She took the game by the scruff of the neck and threw everything she had at the city side. Her tenacious defence and stunning drives had a dramatic effect on the game and St Angelas comfortable lead crumbled fast. The Skib side were within touching distance of completing a fairy tale comeback but just failed to get over the line. Apart from Lia's magnificent 16 points, Aine MacCarthy took full value from the read and react system and contributed 12 points of her own.
Maria, Mollaidh and Ellie played excellent roles in defence and were the main girls responsible for keeping Angela's scores to a minimum. But Eabha Lucey and Niamh Connolly played strong defensive roles too. These girls have come on in leaps and bounds under the positive influence of their wonderful club coaches Dave Quinn and Pat Dwyer..
As a result of this defeat, we now face Scoil Mhuire from Blarney on Wednesday on our home court. We face into this battle without our talented point guard Ellie O'Donovan and there is no doubt she is a huge loss to our side. This is a must win game to get through to the All Ireland series.
It's not how many times you get knocked down that counts, it's how many times you get back up that determines the character of our players. These girls have spirit, character and enthusiasm coursing through them and we have every reason to be hopeful.
The boys took on Coláiste an Chraoibhín Fermoy on Monday which ended in an emphatic victory. Every player on the panel played their part with M.V.P. James O'Neill producing an inspired performance from the off and top scorer Eividas Andreikius slotting 18 points, some taken with beautiful precision.
But this was a facile victory that the 56 to 22 points margin reflected and there are sterner tests ahead. We will know the strength of character of our players when they are tested to the limit and the towering skillful players of Rosscarbery will test our resilience to the limit.
Recent battles with Mount Saint Michael have rarely failed to thrill and our recent All Ireland Cup game was a testament to both teams resolve, determination and courage when the stakes are raised. There is no doubt we are closing the gap and for the first time this year, we are playing them on a neutral court.
Two of our players have shone in our recent meetings. The exciting Stevie Redmond has produced sparkling performances and sliced through the Ross zone with guile and ease. Stevie top scored for us in the last game contributing 16 points, all taken from play. There is something in the Redmond D.N.A. that ignites in the face of challenge. The majestic, multi - talented Robbie Minihane was our M.V.P. in that game playing a starring role from start to finish. I would like to acknowledge the huge amount of trojan work done by Coach Steve Redmond in the Skibbereen Eagles Basketball Club in bringing the club players to the highest level. Without the brilliant work being done in the club, we would be a pale shadow of ourselves.
But we are only tipping the iceberg in terms of what can be achieved and players need to step up at training to bring us to the next level.
In the words of Mark Twain, 'The secret to getting ahead is getting started'.
The losses against Ross are true gifts now for all that they are painfully won. Without failure, what is our success anyway? The school is behind us on Thursday and we will take ownership of this game and leave everything on the court. Good luck in the final boys.
It was with deep sadness and regret that we heard the news of the passing of our former colleague and friend Mr John McCarthy, a post-primary teacher of Science and Maths in Skibbereen Community School, and formerly of Rossa College.
John taught in both of these schools for the past number of years and also served as advising examiner in Higher Leaving Cert Maths with the State Examinations Commission.
John had a great way with students who found school difficult. He stopped and chatted to give a supportive word or talked about sport and encouraged many to stick with it.
John’s contribution was not confined to the academic as he was also an avid sportsman. In his younger years in London, John played with Crystal Palace. Later he shared and imparted that knowledge and skills in different areas of West Cork, notably, Lyre Soccer Club, MICC, Rossa College and Skibbereen Community School. John prepared those underage teams, enjoying much success and more recently was ably assisted by one of his students Sean Finn Gallagher who coached the teams under his guidance.
John was very actively involved in the Teachers Union of Ireland (TUI) and was a member of the National Treasury and former Treasurer and auditor of the Co. Cork Branch. He regularly attended meetings and was a great support to younger members entering the teaching profession.
John was a devoted family man and enjoyed many events with his three sons Tadhg, Conor and Michael, together with his wife Ruth. These people were always foremost in his mind and this was so evident with the recent birth of his grandson Michael-John. It is testament to his character that he made the long flight to Australia during the mid-term break to welcome this family addition.
John will be deeply missed by his friends, colleagues, family, and all of us in Skibbereen Community School.
Skibbereen Community School will be closed this Friday, Dec 7th as a mark of respect to the late John McCarthy, our Teacher, Soccer Coach, Colleague and Friend. May he rest in peace.
Dear Parent,
It is with great sadness that I wish to inform you that this weekend, one of our staff, Mr John McCarthy, teacher and soccer coach, has died after battling an illness.
We are all profoundly shocked and saddened by his death.
Our thoughts are with John’s family at this sad time.
We have shared this information with your children today and had discussions with all the students in their classrooms. The school Guidance Counselling staff, Chaplain, teachers, and other support staff have been, and will continue to be available to students, teachers and parents. Please contact the school if you have any questions or concerns.
As a parent, you may want to talk to your child about death because it impacts each person in different ways. How children react will depend on the relationships they had with the person who died, their age, level of development, and their prior experience with death. Your child may: appear unaffected, ask questions about the death repeatedly, be angry or aggressive, be withdrawn or moody, be sad or depressed, become fearful or scared, have difficulty sleeping or eating.
We suggest that you listen to your children. If they want to talk, answer their questions simply, honestly and be prepared to answer the same questions repeatedly.
Sincerely,
Anton O Mahony
Principal
Skibbereen Community School
Artist Charlotte Donovan who is an artist in residence in the Uilinn Arts Centre came to SCS and did a print making workshop with our TY Creative School Group. The prints that the students created will be used to decorate the Arts Centre for craft fair on the 15th and 16th of Dec. Well done to all the students involved and many thanks to Ms. Donovan and our art teachers, Ms. Olivia Hoskins and Ms. Hannah Phelan.
Transition Year Food and Hospitality students had the opportunity to provide some of the catering at the Ludgate Agritech Conference which was recently hosted by SCS.
Students served freshly baked scones to over 120 delegates at the morning break. After lunch, which was served by the catering team at Drinagh, our students once again served their own desserts, a delicious apple madeira cake and a yummy chocolate brownie.
Feedback from the attendees was excellent with many requesting second helpings! Students also set up the buffet and tables with a farming theme which was a nice touch and gave everyone a very warm welcome to SCS.
Well done everyone on a tremendously successful days work... we're already looking forward to next year. The school community would like to particularly thank Ms. Sarah Mc Carthy and the Home Ec Department.
Starting from tomorrow, these classes will be available for students.
Congratulations to our dedicated under 16 boy's basketball team who stormed into the county semi final with comprehensive wins over teams from the North Monastery and Carrigaline in Skibbereen on Wednesday. The team is going from strength to strength and lessons are being learned at every stage. The journey to success has begun in earnest and whatever we do, we do it to the best of our ability.
Ms O'Mahony would like to acknowledge the fantastic contribution made by Mags Breen, the Skibbereen Eagle's Basketball Club coaches, the ever enthusiastic Steve Redmond and the great man himself, the inspirational Pat Dwyer who have a huge influence on all the basketball teams in our school. Working together club and school will make the journey to success a better one. Our mission in SCS is to make our students reach their full potential on and off the court and we will make it happen.
On Friday last, the under 16 girls had a decisive victory against Scoil Mhuire that saw them win by a scoreline of 56 to 29 points. In truth, the flattering scoreline did not represent the real story as the game was closely contested right up to the final quarter when the home side took charge.
Stunning performances from M.V.P. Ellie O'Donovan who had a sensational 25 points propelled the Skibbereen girls forward throughout the game and we went into a commanding lead in the final quarter when the city girls challenge wilted under the pressure. From the start, Mollaidh O'Neill and Maria O'Mahony were as solid as a rock in defence and lethal threats on the break. The skillful, dynamic duo up in front Aine McCarthy and Lia Hogan were a constant threat charging forward. Once again, we acknowledge the enormous impact that Dave Quinn has on this team who go from strength to strength playing against the best in the A league and under Pat Dwyer, Lia has transformed her entire game and turned into a scoring machine.
The long warm up also took its toll on the home side as our visitors were almost an hour late and many of our girls were looking ragged in the third quarter. Our fouls were also a cause for concern and we need to address this issue looking forward.
Now we face the formidable challenge of facing last year's county winners and beaten All Ireland finalists St Angelas and it is a challenge that we are looking forward to. Curbing the impressive international Dara Dignin will be our main aim in this game but there is no doubt she has a solid team around her. But the city side will be wary of our side too and we have every intention of making their fears a reality.
In the words of Nelson Mandela, 'there is no passion to be found playing small and settling for a life that's less than the life one is capable of living'.
The School Community was honoured to host this year’s Annual West Cork Agritech Conference. We wish to particularly thank the Ludgate Group and Lions Club for making this possible for us. Thankyou to Drinagh Group for sponsoring the food and to AIB Bank and Carbery Milk Products for supporting the event.
Thanks to all the speakers from far and wide who spoke on such topics as “The Bioeconomy-The Potential for Ireland and West Cork”, “Precision Agriculture and the future of Agri-Food” and “Technology in Farming- Present and Future Perspectives”.
Thanks to West Cork Eggs, The Lions Club and our TY Student Groups who gave presentations to the gathered public on how technology could best help West Cork Food Suppliers.
Tuesday Nov 20th -The U16 Team lost to Rosscarbery away in their Cup game in a cracking match.
Wednesday Nov 21st- The U16 Team had two strong wins against the North Mon and Carrigaline away.
“Congratulations to our dedicated under 16 boy's basketball team who stormed into the county semi final with comprehensive wins over teams from the North Monastery and Carrigaline in Skibbereen today. The team is going from strength to strength and lessons are being learned at every stage. The journey to success has begun in earnest and whatever we do, we do it to the best of our ability.
Ms O'Mahony would like to acknowledge the fantastic contribution made by the Skibbereen Eagle's Basketball Club coaches, the ever enthusiastic Steve Redmond and the great man himself, the inspirational Pat Dwyer who have a huge influence on all the boy's teams in our school. Working together club and school will make the journey to success a better one. Our mission is to make our students reach their full potential on and off the court and we will make it happen”
Thursday Nov 22nd - The U19 Team narrowly lost to both Midleton and the North Mon in the Cup.
Well done to both teams and their coaches, Ms. Maire Keating and Ms. Marie O Mahony for some really good basketball.
Les élèves de 5eme (second years) s'éclatent avec leurs petits-déjeuners à la française, croissants et pains au chocolat accompagnés avec du jus d'orange et du chocolat chaud. C'était également pour fêter le fait qu'ils viennent de terminer leur 1er livre.
This week first year groups met with their TY mentors again. The mentoring programme is a buddy system aiming to help first year students with their transition from primary to second level education.
A big thank you to all TY mentors for their continued work and well done to all first year students for their participation in the programme.
Yesterday 17 students from TY along with our chaplain Ms. Rosie O’Brien, travelled to the Dunmanway Day Unit in CUH to meet the nurses involved and to deliver Chemo Care Pouches and Goodie bags to outpatients there.
This has been an ongoing project under the leadership of local business woman Elaine Doolin. The pouches themselves were made up of goodies that we hoped may brighten up someone's day and offer some comfort.
Each one was packed with care by the 4A group in SCS and over 60 pouches were presented, through sponsorship and donations from local businesses.
Such a worthy cause that we hope can offer some comfort to those receiving treatment in the Dunmanway Day Unit.
A massive thank you to Elaine Doolin of Stella & Dot stylist for allowing us to get involved in her vision and also a massive thank you to Damien Long of Long's coaches for sponsoring the bus up to Cork for the students.
And finally to our 4A group- well done!
This is the panel to play Colaiste Stiofan Naomha tomorrow. Best of luck lads!
Cormac McCarthy
Shane Kingston
Conor O' Neill
Colm Crowley
Eoghan Cooke
James McCarthy
Keith McCarthy
Jack O' Brien
Jamie O' Driscoll
Isaac Harte
Ciaran O' Dwyer
Jamie Hourihane
Darragh Coakley
John Leahy
Adrian O' Driscoll
Valera Keler
Denis O' Driscoll
Matthew Mulcahy