Uploaded by YVONNE LEONARD on 2019-12-09.
Happy Un Human Rights Day from Ms. Brennan’s First Year CSPE Classes!
Congratulations to our under 16 basketball team who are through to the All-Ireland Cup final in Tallaght.
Today they beat CTI Clonmel by a scoreline of 58 to 21.
Top scorers: Eividas Andreikus 24, Tom Kavanagh 15, Stevie Redmond 8.
The School will be closed on Thursday, Dec 12th to facilitate staff training in the new Junior Cycle.
Congratulations to Lara, Anna, James, Jack and Daniel, 2nd year students that competed in the First Lego Coding League regional final in Cork on Saturday. 16 teams took part in the competition. They won the category ‘Core Values’, there was four categories (Core Values, Robot Design, Innovation Project, Robot Game) and an overall winner. They now qualify for the All Irelands in March. Well done to the team and their coach/teacher Ms. Orla Courtney.
Congratulations to our under 19 basketball team on overcoming a tough semi final against St Colman's Fermoy and getting to the county final.
Let me begin by acknowledging the huge amount of work Ms. Keating has done with this team since first year. Also, Steve Redmond, Pat Dwyer and Lorcan Carey have contributed enormously to their progress over the years in getting this team to the level they are at. Being county finalists, they have earned a place in the All Ireland series. They train at 7.30 while many of you are sleeping and deserve great credit for the effort they put in.
Prior to the final, news on the basketball airwaves was glowing from the teams who had played Youghal. They had beaten every team they played by huge margins and we knew we were up against it. Ger MacEoin and Steve Redmond offered a glimmer of hope in their assessment saying we had a chance but we would have to play our best basketball. Again, Steve compiled a detailed page of notes for us on the main threats posed by Youghal which we are grateful for. All we had to do was deliver!
On the day, our play fell very short of what was required. Our defence worked tirelessly to curtail the threat of a very talented Youghal team and to our credit we did this job well. Patryck Mallinowski was playing superbly keeping their Ballincollig star Killian to a minimum until he was struck with injury. His loss was huge and also meant we lost a potent shooter who could hurt Youghal in attack.
Youghal were dominating the board on both sides of the court and our shooting was poor. Worse was to befall us when Szymon picked up 4 fouls relatively early in the game. The introduction of Micheál Sheehy and Robbie Minihane had a dramatic positive effect on our rebounding as both boys can jump like gazelles and will give you everything in terms of sheer effort. However, we have to admit that our long and short shooting could only be described as poor and fell very short of the high standard we produce in training. There is no doubt in my mind that we can perform to a higher standard and our task in the weeks ahead is to push ourselves to do it.
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 one you are capable of living'.
While we strove hard to curb the Youghal offensive threats and worked tirelessly, our attack was limited and time and time again our efforts were crushed by our physically stronger opponents. The only glimmer of hope in attack was the sharp shooting of Eividas who scored 11 of our 36 points. Jack Payne Murphy also stepped up to the challenge and contributed 6 points to the attack. The final score of 49 to 36 appears to be a respectable score but we know we did not perform to anything like we are capable of in this game.
Going forward to the play offs, we will have to improve dramatically in so many areas. If our ambition is to advance, many of our players will have to step up and be counted but i have full faith in these boys to do it.
These are exciting times for the shooting basketball stars of SCS with both the under 16 and under 19 boys through to the All Ireland series. On Thursday last, both teams took on formidable opponents in their respctive county finals, Beara Community School and Youghal.
Beara are a side our team know well having beaten us comfortably in last years county final. Recent clashes with the westerners have rarely failed to thrill and this one was no exception. The scintillating battle that unfolded in the Neptune Stadium was a testament to both sides 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.
Throughout this intriguing game, three players stood out, as those who dominated the action. Beara's supremely talented Dylan Crowley who had learned his skills in the States, scored 20 points, ten in each half. He also caused utter havoc to our defence with explosive drives, precision passes and sharp shooting, often from beyond the 3 point line. Tom Kavanagh from the SCS side had a mercurial performance, dominating the boards and driving purposely like a man inspired. Tom contributed 12 points to our side and kept our challenge alive while many of us were faltering under the pressure.
Finally I come to the one who lights up the stadium bringing oohs and aahs at his skillful manoeuvres. The brilliant Eividas Andreikius controlled the offence, top scored with 24 points, worked tirelessly in defence to curb the ever present Dylan threat. His overall performance earned him the man of the match award on this occasion.
Beara started this game with their three guards in inspired form shooting with supreme accuracy, 15 points mostly from the top of the right and left wing which had us stretched to the limit and beautifully shot by two of the Beara guards Mikey and Gerard O'Shea. After the match, The Beara coach told us that he had the advantage of playing us already this year and knew the areas to attack in our defence. An interesting observation and one that lets us know we need to expose Beara to some new challenges if we meet them in Tallaght in the final!
The relentless pressure tested and stretched our defence to the limit and exposed some of our frailties but our tenacious defence and our trapping was effective and caused lots of problems. Our offence lacked depth, purpose and patience and caused us to force our shots when better options were available. Our western opponents crept ahead into a 4 point lead. But for Tom, their lead would have been much more as he kept us in this game at the early stages. Tom and Daniel bombarded the tight Beara zone and added to some Eividas magic reduced the deficit to a single point at half time.
With the game in the melting point and tensions rising, players with character stand up. On this occasion, Eividas upped the tempo of the entire game, became irrepressible in attack and popped 3 point shots in like an NBA star.
Not alone did he score 16 points in this period but it also caused the Beara defence to be stretched at the seams in an effort to control him, which left gaping holes on the baseline for Tom, Daniel and Darragh to exploit.
Dan Buckley had one of his best games in an SCS shirt and contributed 8 points to the scoreline. The little ones from second year Luca, Brian and Dylan were vibrant presences in defence.
SCS stretched our lead in the second half and ended with a comfortable 57 to 39 point victory, the score very much belying the tension of the game.
Going forward to the All Ireland Cup semi next Monday, we will need to improve on this performance but we are going into this battle with every intention of getting to an All-Ireland final.
Good luck to the team on Monday in U.L. We are taking on Clonmel who have beaten our senior team earlier in the season and will do everything in our power to make it happen so that our entire squad will go to Tallaght..
I would like to acknowledge the huge amount of work done by the Skibbereen Eagles basketball club and the relentless, fantastic Steve Redmond, Máire Keating who generously gave up so much time to coach many of the under 19 boys since first year, Mags Breen who did the stats on the day for us which really helps us in our journey to learn and master this wonderful game and the drivers who take time out of their busy lives to bring us to the Cup matches.
Onwards and upwards SCS.
On Tuesday December 3rd our 4th year Food & Hospitality students were invited to CIT’s Department of Tourism & Hospitality to showcase their artisan food products that they have been working on.
On arrival Dr. Noel Murray welcomed students over delicious refreshments served in the student restaurant. SCS students then presented their products to a team form the Tourism & Hospitality Dept and received invaluable feedback on any improvements they could make.
There was then an opportunity to visit the CIT student’s Food Market and see what a similar project looked like at 3rd level. It was a super morning and a wonderful learning opportunity for our students who will be working on the feedback they received to improve their products for our Christmas Market on Wednesday 11th at our Open Evening.
Next stop was Cork on Ice where students had a fun afternoon ice skating before heading back to SCS after a super day out!
Christmas Preparations are well underway in SCS. Ms. Orla O Sullivan and Ms. Michelle O Brien and her TY class organized the decorating of our Christmas Tree. Ms. Deirdre Hennigan, Ms. Mary Rose O Brien and Mr. Peter Lynch have begun our tradition of classroom door decorating. The Christmas Tree and Crib will be officially launched on Monday morning. Thanks again to all involved.
DJ Jack provided the music for last Friday’s Lunchtime Music Session on the Balcony. Many thanks to him and Mr. Brendan Doherty for the support.
Pics of Mr. Colman O Driscoll’s TY class doing their coastal field study in Toe Head Bay today. Many thanks to Mr. O Driscoll for organizing.
Mr. Liam Shanahan took his 4th, 5th and 6th Year AgScience classes on a Field Trip today. A special thank you to Liam and Dolores O Donovan who facilitated this milking and dairy farm walk experience. All students appreciated the experience to witness an award winning dairy farm in operation. Many thanks also to Mr. Shanahan for organizing.
The SCS Under 14 football team had a great day out in Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Thursday last the 5th of December. They arrived in Cork at 11 o’clock and were welcomed by Cork GDA James McCarthy and Carbery Games Promotion Officer Paudie Crowley. The lads were then treated to a tour of the impressive stadium including a visit to the press conference room where Cork management regularly face the nations media.
They were next taken to the superb dressing rooms and sat in the same seats as their intercounty heroes. While there James McCarthy talked them through the pre match routine for Cork players and recreated the excitement of match day in Páirc Uí Chaoimh which hopefully many of the lads will experience for themselves in the years ahead. James emphasised the importance of working hard with their clubs, and with their school, and hopefully bringing that through to the county team one day.
Once togged out the players headed for the fantastic indoor warm up areas and went through their paces before taking the field on the 4G pitch and playing two games against Kinsale CS. Every player got a chance to show their skills at the home of Cork GAA and a great time was had by all.
The day wasn’t finished yet as the lads then headed to the impressive Gym where they were taken through some S&C exercises by Colm O’Sullivan, Cork Minor Hurling strength and conditioning coach. After an action packed day, they boarded the bus and headed west once more.
Many thanks to all the Páirc Uí Chaoimh staff and Cork coaches for a wonderful day that has no doubt given extra incentive to the young footballers of Skibbereen Community School to work even harder in pursuit of the footballing dreams.
Congratulations to our Showjumping Team of Phillipa Beavon, Samantha Payne Murphy and Benjamin Wycherley who came 4th out of 12 teams in this competition. Many thanks to Mr. PJ Fitzgerald for organizing and to the parents for their support. Many thanks to Ms. Claire O Donoghue form St.Brogan’s College for organizing the event and the West Cork Equine Centre in Kilbrittain for hosting it.
Training times
Tuesday 4:00 pm
Wednesday 6:30 pm
Thursday 4:00 pm
Friday 4:00 pm
Saturday 7:30 am and 3.45 pm
Sunday 7:30 am
Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays students can take the bus from school to training (cost of bus is 2 euro).
Events
The club is hoping to take part in Muckross Head on Saturday. Best of luck to all athletes competing.
Skibbereen Rowing Club is also organising a stand at the Uillean Art Centre Christmas Fair on Saturday and Sunday, December 14th and 15th, where they will be selling Christmas crafts, club merchandise, and lots of Christmas treats such as mince pies, Christmas cakes, cookies, buns, sweets, etc. Hope to see you all there.
Our U16 Boys Basketball Team were crowned County Champions in Neptune Stadium today. They beat Beara Community School by 57 points to 39 points. The School Community would like to congratulate every member of the panel and their coach Ms. Marie O Mahony on an incredible achievement. Hard luck to our U19 Boys team who despite putting in a gallant effort lost to Colaiste na Trinoide, Youghal by 34 points to 49. Many thanks to Skibb Basketball Club and Ms. Mags Breen for their support. Both teams are now in the All-Ireland Qualifiers.
Well done to our Cross Country Running team who braved the elements yesterday in Riverstick. The ground was very soft underfoot but our team performed admirably. Well done to Gavin Sweetnam who won Gold and Emily Sweeney who came 7th. Many thanks to their coaches/teachers, Ms. Niamh Lordan and Mr. Peter Swanton. Well done to all involved.
Today the school welcomed Pauline Digan, HR Manager at Carbery’s group who visited SCS to give a presentation to senior students on apprenticeship opportunities with Carbery.
Pauline explained the very beneficial career path that apprenticeships offer to students and we were delighted to hear her advice on preparing for applying for apprenticeships.
Thank you Pauline and every good wish to two of our past students who are currently studying for their apprenticeships in Electrical Instrumentation with Carbery.
On Friday members of the Irish Ocean Literacy convened at Dublin Zoo for ‘Innovation and the Ocean’ day. Rachel Thomas, Transition Year, represented Skibbereen Community School at this very interesting, informative and worthwhile event.
The event attracted many speakers, who introduced concepts of bio-medical advances from the deep ocean, youth leadership in celebrating our Oceans’ story & discovering new habitats in the Ocean.
Rory Jackson, West Cork Oceans Plastic Project, spoke about the beaches surveyed in West Cork. He also highlighted the work done with the Transition Year students of SCS in analysing beach plastics to establish their sources.
Time after the talks afforded us the joy of exploring the zoo itself, rounding off a fantastic day!
