Ms. Marie O Mahony and her victorious First Year Basketball Team are enjoying pizza for lunch today to mark their County Success.
Congrats to our U16 footballers and their coaches, Mr. Maurice Moore and Mr. Colman O Driscoll on beating De La Salle Macroom today to reach the County Final. The final score was 14points to 5.
Skibbereen Community School wishes all mothers a very happy Mother’s Day! The school appreciates all their wonderful work. Pictured here is just a selection of the beautiful cards made in Skibbereen Community School to acknowledge this important day. Also pictured are Owen Minihane, Kevin O’Donoghue and Wayne Williamson after making their amazing cards and flowers. Well done to Owen, Kevin and Wayne.
20th March 2017
Skibbereen Community School 3 - 2 Rockwell College
Report by Sean Spenser
The 5th round of the Munster Cup. The First years are soon becoming the pride of the school with a county final in basketball, getting to the furthest rounds in soccer - and still going - along with I'm sure more achievements in other sports. Their newest challenge was Rockwell College, from Tipperary. A sunny day had left the pitch as hard as a rock, meaning you really had to watch the bounce of the ball. However a bit of wind against Skibbereen in the first half could be a telling factor in the game. Five minutes into the game Liam McCarthy turned his man inside the box. He had left his marker for dead and picked his head up for the pass as he was taken out from his heels. The referee waved play on and it looked like it could be another game where Skibbereen were on the end of some bad refereeing decisions.
In the 7th minute Isaac Harte won a soft free-kick thirty or so yards out. Captain Robbie Minihane decided he wanted to try his luck. He took a shot on goal, but as soon as he connected it was seen to be fairly tame. It was about waist high with no real venom, an easy catch for the keeper, however he decided to volley it. His pass was sub-par to say the least and it fell to the onrushing Isaac Harte who had followed the ball in allowing him to finish into the nearly open net. 1-0 up due to a very dominant first few minutes from Skibbereen. Four minutes later a long ball from the Rockwell keeper landed half way in Skibbereen's half, exposing the high line, which allowed Rockwell's number 9 to run through and lob Cormac McCarthy, who had been left in an awkward position with nothing to do. Soon after Skibbereen had a corner. The ball was easily caught by the keeper. He again launched a long ball over the Skibbereen defence, exposing the high line again. This pass was just as dangerous and the number 9 ran through and unluckily hit the post. The ball fell to Cormac McCarthy who made sure there would be no rebound.
Going into half time a 1-1 scoreline was unjust. Other than the first 10 or so dominant minutes, it was a very backs to the wall performance from Skibbereen, were they had struggled to get out of their own half against the wind. The moods going in at half time were very positive from Rockwell, however it's all well and good being on top, but if you don't score, it doesn't matter. One minute after half time a cross from Rockwell wasn't dealt with and it allowed the Rockwell attacker to finish past Cormac McCarthy in goal. That's what happens when you switch off even for the smallest bit of time in soccer! Five minutes later a lay off allowed James O'Neill to shoot first time from 30 yards out. It was heading right for the top corner only for the keeper to make one of the best saves you'll ever see in a soccer match! After that moment it looked like Skibbereen had lost all hope. One of their best chances stopped by an unbelievable save.
In the 47th minute Liam McCarthy stormed through on goal. He took a shot which just hit the post. It fell to Jamie O' Driscoll who hit the post again. Donnachadh Maguire just about kept the ball alive, squaring it to Liam. Liam's shot again hit the post! Just as it looked like the chance had been squandered, the ball found it's way off the post into the other side of the goal. If that ball had not gone in, it would have put the nail in the coffin for Skibbereen, however it looked to have injected some extra life into Skibbereen. Ten minutes later, with three minutes to go the ball fell to Isaac Harte on the edge of the box. He set himself up perfectly with a fantastic chest of the ball, allowing him to volley it towards the top corner. However the goalkeeper heard what I said about his last save and decided to top it! Just as it was about to crack into the net he pulled out a ridiculous diving save plucking it out of the top corner!
Thirty seconds from the final whistle Skibbereen had a corner. They had to weigh up the pros and cons of sending up their defenders as with this little time to go they could lose it all. James O'Neill whipped in a fantastic cross right into the danger area. The only man to react was Liam McCarthy. He ran to meet the ball with a great header into the back of the net! It looked like Skibbereen had won it with no time to go! All they had to do was hold on for another minute or so! The last 30 seconds seemed to last an age as Rockwell threw everything they had at Skibbereen. The final whistle blew at 3-2 meaning Skibbereen were through to the next round! Some of the Rockwell players collapsed on the floor and rightly so. They'd player their hearts out on the pitch and given it their all. To lose it at the final whistle must have been devastating. It was a fantastic end to a fantastic game of Soccer!
Man of the Match: Liam McCarthy - On a day where both teams were playing cautiously, not allowing the attacking players too much time, the winger provided a few moments of magic in the first half, nearly winning a penalty right from the off mixed with a fantastic run down the flank taking out three players. His main feat however was grabbing the game by the scruff of the neck. At 2-1 down Skibbereen looked dead and buried. However Liam's goal injected life into the whole team. Then at the end when I'm sure most the players were thinking about extra time his focus was on winning the game in normal time. A great individual performance which proved to be the telling factor especially when both teams put up such a good fight.
Starting XI: Cormac McCarthy, Feilim O'Donovan, John Leahy, Robbie Minihane, Tomás O'Mahony, James McCarthy, James O'Neill, Jamie O'Driscoll, Liam McCarthy, Isaac Harte, Donnachadh Maguire.
Substitutes: Eoin Murran (John Leahy), Jack O' Brien (Donnachadh Maguire), Stevie Redmond (Jamie O'Driscoll).
A big thank you to Rockwell College who travelled all the way down from Tipperary to put up a great fight. The game really could have gone either way and you are a great team with potential to achieve your goals in other competitions!
Pictured here are Owen Minihane, Kevin O’Donoghue, Wayne Williamson, Kai Hill and Niall Collins celebrating World Down Syndrome Day! Well done to all who took time out of their busy schedules to acknowledge this very important day. Looking out for others and including everyone are very important messages that Skibbereen Community School wishes to promote at all times.
Congrats to our First Year Basketball Team and their coach, Ms. Marie O Mahony who have just beaten Christian College Cork on a score line of 32 points to 14.
S.C.S 8-13 to Colaiste Treasa, Kanturk 1-06
Well done to the U16 Footballers and their coaches, Mr. Colman O Driscoll and Mr. Moore on progressing to the County Semi Final yesterday.
Tuesday April 4th
9am to 10.45- First Years
11.15am to 1pm- Second Years
2pm to 3.45pm- Fourth Years
There will be no school for students on the day.
Yesterday was a special moment in the School's history with the visit of our local heroes, Paul and Gary O Donovan and their coach, Mr. Dominic Casey. The lads addressed the entire school and gave some inspirational words about following your dreams in small realistic steps. They praised all the current and former students who have won National and International titles with Skibb Rowing Club. Principal, Mr. Anton O Mahony, School Rowing Coach, Mr. Richie Keating and the entire staff pulled out all stops to give Paul and Gary an SCS royal welcome. Mr. O Mahony invited both Paul and Gary to open the Fitness Suite which has been named in their honour. Paul and Gary did not leave until they signed every autograph and stood in for every photo. They also took time out to enjoy their plate of steak and spuds which was prepared by Chef Brian Fowler and the Canteen Staff. The entire School Community would like to sincerely thank Paul, Gary and Dominic for visiting us and we wish them the very best of luck in their next endeavours.
Our under 15 rugby team who participated in a rugby blitz in Skibbereen today.
Well done to 'Arabella' who won 3rd prize in the Finance category at the PDST Get Up & Go Mini Company Competition held at the Vienna Woods Hotel today.
Every Wednesday after School at 1.10. Everyone welcome. Health, fitness and discipline are paramount to the club and many thanks to Mr. Oliver O'Dea, boxing coach!
Pictured below are 5th Year Agricultural Science students who visited Skibbereen mart recently.
Recent clashes between SCS and Mount Saint Michael have rarely failed to thrill. The latest scintillating first year county semi final was a testament to both teams and pulsed with energy from tip to final buzzer. It was a game that could be owned or surrendered and control was in our hands. To a point.
Game on. SCS had a mercurial start. Eividas, our wonderful point guard struck first. A majestic three pointer that sailed through the hoop. Ross quickly responded with two beautifully taken baskets of their own. The athletic Conor Twomey was causing utter havoc to our offence until Eividas took control of the situation and brought a measure of calm inventiveness to our play. Passes and cuts had to be crisp and sharp or they were torn from our grasp in a kind of wild fury.
While SCS had the greater possession, easy scoring chances were hard to come by. Under the relentless pressure, an old failing crept back into our game and we returned to missing short shots. This carelessness came back to haunt us and brought the game to a knife-edge. Ross held a narrow advantage at half time. This was no game for tight nerves and some of our players struggled to cope against the ferocious tackles that were dealt out.
Others stood tall. The ultra -gifted at every sport Robbie Minihane was one who took up the challenge. A team player to the core of his being with 'Haven' blood coursing through his veins, Robbie's plea to his team mates of 'Come on lads, we can do it' could be heard throughout the match. He drove our team on, time and time again, dominated the offensive and defensive rebounds, was irrepressible in attack and again our top scorer. A well organised 2 1 2 zone defence is hard to penetrate and Robbie was the player who carved it open.
The game hung deliciously in the balance until near the end of the third quarter when Peadar O'Rourke fired up a hopeful shot. The ball bounced off the backboard and nestled into the ring giving Ross a four point advantage. SCS faces glazed with fear stared in disbelief at the courts, thoughts of the impossible beginning to thicken. Success brings its own pressures!
The decision to switch from a 212 zone to full court 2 2 1 zone press in the final quarter had a powerful effect on this game and Ross were slow to react. If a team is facing a crisis, it is good to have a player like Tomás O'Mahony in their midst. The inspirational Tomás who had defended furiously throughout this game shot upwards scoring his first three pointer for SCS. It was a shot delivered more in hope than in expectation but was the catalyst that ignited our team and Tomás' smile will stay with us forever.
From that score on, SCS dominated the action. The ever reliable superstar James O'Neill cut from the base and sent us back into the lead. James has been outstanding in all our matches and his play goes from strength to strength. Ross continued to be rattled by the full court press and their coach called a timeout. Whatever plan Ross came up with, it had no influence in this game. Cool heads eased us back into the lead and with the clock ticking, we went into a five point lead. The valuable experience of grinding out a victory that we had gained on route to the All Ireland semi final stood to us here as Eividas in particular took control and we used down the remaining seconds.
The games are getting tougher. New heroes are emerging in every game. In the semifinal, captain Adam O'Donoghue had been the man of the match top scoring with ten points and playing with an energy that reverberated through the team. Stevie Redmond also stepped up against Schull and had his finest game for SCS contributing nine points to the score. In the match against Ballsbridge every Eividas touch turned to gold while scoring an incredible sixteen points. Tomás was just amazing against the very talented St Munchins of Limerick. The Limerick point guard scored 24 points against Ballsbridge. He scored four against SCS. Not alone did he keep number ten quiet but he also top scored in this game with eight points. The names I mentioned may have grabbed the headlines but every first year who has proudly worn the purple shirt has given their all for the team. The way a team plays as a whole will always determine its success and this group of boys are a credit to our school.
Below are photos from yesterday's Enterprise Competition. Well done to Arabella and ADL Cake Cutters who represented the school so well at the event. Congratulations to ADL Cake Cutters who won the award for 'Most Innovative Product' at the competition. Many thanks to Mr. Tony Harrington for his guidance and assistance in producing the product.
Pictured below are leaving cert students who visited the West Cork Campus of Cork College of Commerce during their open day yesterday to explore and learn more about the great suite of courses available there. What a great resource for our area!
Congratulations to Ms O'Mahony and her fantastic first year boys basketball team who are through to the county final after a tense and exciting semi final against a spirited Mount Saint Michael team.
Hard luck to our second year boys basketball team who lost out to Rosscarbery in their quest to reach the county final.
13th March 2017
Report by Sean Spenser
Skibbereen Community School 5 - 2 Fermoy
When the draw for the 4th round of the Munster Cup came out with Skibbereen to play Fermoy at home it was sure to be a tough match. It was the perfect day for a good game of soccer with blistering heat shining down onto the hard Lyre grass. Seven minutes into the game a long ball resulted in Donnachadh Maguire rounding the Fermoy goalkeeper. Just as he was about to let fly the goalkeeper made a fantastic last ditch tackle. Unfortunately for him it fell right to Jamie O'Driscoll who was very composed and just chipped it into the open net. 1-0 and you'd have to say the goal was coming. Ten minutes later Fermoy whipped a ball into the box and it was deflected right on the head of Fermoy's big number 9 allowing him to head past Cormac McCarthy in goal.
Just a mere three minutes later, Fermoy had a free-kick at least 35 yards out. The free kick taker took a shot which looked like it would be dealt with easily by Cormac in goal, however it hit off one of the players in the crowd sending it in the opposite direction. Cormac did excellently to get his body to it. However one of the Fermoy attackers had followed the ball in allowing him to latch onto the ball after Cormac had saved it. He had an open goal and finished calmly.
Two minutes from the half time whistle Jamie O'Driscoll picked it up out wide. He nutmegged his man and as he was just about to cover up for his mistake Jamie pulled out an absolutely outrageous piece of skill which involved a step over and pure magic, leaving his man for dead. He got just inside the box and slid it to Isaac Harte who took his time taking a touch and calmly finished in the bottom left corner. Going into half time it was 2-2. A very even scoreline considering Skibbereen had had most of the ball, whereas Fermoy had had the shots. A thrilling first half which looked to make a close second half. Six minutes into the second half a cross by Skibbereen was cleared outside the box. As it fell to Jamie O'Driscoll 25 yards out, he saw the keeper off his line and lobbed it over the top of him first time. A brilliant goal in a brilliant game to make it 3-2.
Seven minutes later Feilim O'Donovan hammered the ball on the volley from well inside his own half to Isaac Harte on the opposite side of the pitch. Isaac knocked it past his man inside the box and finished in the right hand corner off the post. A remarkable achievement considering he was on the left hand side of the box. Three minutes from the final whistle a scintillating display of passing in a triangle formation from Jack O'Brien, Isaac Harte and James O'Neill allowed James to play a fantastic through ball into Liam McCarthy who slotted home past the keeper. A Barcelona-esque goal with some astonishing passing shown all round. The final score of 5-2 was probably a bit unfair on Fermoy, but Skibbereen's dominant second half performance was the key to the victory.
Man of the Match: Jamie O' Driscoll - The winger worked tirelessly tracking back and going forward all day, but his accolades are not for his hard work, but for his extravagant skill and finishing ability. The ability to create something out of nothing is a difficult one to find, but Jamie showed that he had it multiple times throughout the course of the day. The pitch was in perfect condition for his style of play, fast, skillful and creative. A great team performance from Skibbereen, but also a great individual performance from Jamie.
Starting XI: Cormac McCarthy, Feilim O'Donovan, Eoin Murran, Robbie Minihane, Tomás O'Mahony, James McCarthy, James O'Neill, Jamie O'Driscoll, Liam McCarthy, Isaac Harte, Donnachadh Maguire.
Substitutes: Jack O' Brien (Donnachadh Maguire), John Leahy (Eoin Murran), Cillian Gray (Isaac Harte).
Skibbereen Community School was chosen as one of Rowing Ireland's Pilot Schools in rolling out its new National "Get Rowing Programme". This involves professional rowing coaches basing themselves within the school for a number of months and working with all Year Groups. A number of Concept 2 Rowing Machines are also provided. Thanks to our School's Rowing Coach, Mr. Ritchie Keating for applying and organising this programme. Thanks also to Skibb Rowing Club for their support and a big welcome to our new coaches, local legends Denise and Emily.
