June 2^nd, 2001

ST. AILBE'S SENIOR RUGBY
NORTH-MUNSTER LEAGUE CHAMPIONS

Saint Ailbe's 25   -   10 St.. Joseph's Borrisoleigh

For the second time in three years St. Ailbe’s are the Munster U-18 Rugby Development League champions.

On Wednesday 23^rd May in Cashel RFC, St Ailbe’s took to the field against St Joseph’s of Borrisoleigh, this years O'Brien cup champions.

Straight from the start St Ailbe’s knew that they were in for a tough game and some rapid attacking play on the part of Borrisoleigh resulted in St Ailbe’s conceding a penalty calmly scored by the Borrisoleigh outhalf to leave the score at 0-3 to St Joseph’s. That was the wake up call St Ailbe’s needed and some brilliant penetration by Ailbe’s players Paul Jones and Eamonn O'Connell saw David Kenihan Push over the line for Ailbe’s to put the score at 5-3.

Ailbe’s were now a different team and gradually took more control of the match. This advantage led to Ailbe’s captain and current Irish international Colin Watters scoring a try between the posts which was converted by Niall Sheehan. 5 minutes before half time an uncharacteristic blunder in the St Ailbe’s back line saw St Josephs number 7 pounce to score a wonderful predators try leaving the score at the break at 12-10 to St Ailbe’s.

The first 10 minutes of the second half saw Ailbe’s camped in their own 22, and some very stout defending by Declan Peters, Thomas Kirby and Jerry Dee ensured that no score was conceded.

A penalty conceded by Borrisoleigh allowed Niall Sheehan to score from the kick leaving the score at 15-10 to St Ailbe’s. At this stage St Ailbe’s took full control of the game and 2 more tries each scored by Eamonn O'Connell and Kenneth Hayes left the final score at 25-10 to St Ailbe’s.

Victorious captain Colin Watters collected the trophy in front of 350 delighted supporters.

St Ailbe’s coaches John Lonergan and Alan Quinlan made special mention of The performances of Colin Watters, Paul Jones and man of the match David Kenihan, but it was clearly a wonderful all round team performance by St Ailbe’s leading us to be Munster Champions once again.

Kenneth Hayes about to touch down!	Some of our supporters
Colin Watters - Captain & Irish International	Half-time pep talk from Alan Quinlan
The victorious team

May 16^th, 2001

North Munster League Semi-final

Saint Ailbe's 17   -   6  Villier's School, Limerick

The St Ailbe’s rugby bandwagon continues to roll with a victory for the under-18s seeing them into their second Munster final in 3 years.

On Friday last St Ailbe’s faced Villier’s school of Limerick city in the semi final at Clanwilliam Park Tipperary town.

In this match between two very high quality teams each containing current Irish internationals, Colin Watters for St Ailbe’s and Ryan Hartigan for Villier’s, an incredibly high tempo of rugby was set from the starting whistle.

After a period of 10 minutes St Ailbe’s took the lead through a superb try near the post, scored by David Kenihan, which was converted to give Ailbe’s a 7-0 lead. For the next 10 minutes Ailbe’s continued to have the better of the scrums and rucks and used their strength in the forwards to send captain and Irish international flanker, Colin Watters over for a try leaving the score at 12-0 to St Ailbe’s. Villier’s then found their feet in the game and Ryan Hartigan as outhalf scored two penalties to leave the score at 12-6.

For much of the second half Villiers had the greater share of possession but thanks to stout defending by a very well organised St. Ailbe’s, could not covert their territorial into any scores.

Five minutes from the end of time, after a brilliant passing movement through the St Ailbe’s back line from Aiden Long, through Jerry Dee And David Kinahin, Kenneth Hayes crashed over the Villiers line to give St. Ailbe’s a winning score of 17-6.

Special mention from St Ailbe’s coaches John Lonergan and Alan Quinlan was given for David Kinahin, David Vallence, Derek Shields and man of the match Colin Watters.

We now await the winners of the other semi final between the Abbey CBS Tipperary town and St Josephs Borrisoleigh, to see our opponents in the final.

March 20^th, 2001

Chez "St. Ailbe's"

Head Chef, J.J. Healy along with two chefs from his staff in Hearn's Hotel, Clonmel (Stan (Ching Wee) and David Sheperd) prepared a meal for 40 staff members.  Having submitted the menu in advance, the Chef's Team - fourteen students with an interest in catering sourced the ingredients locally and all was set for an 8:30am start on Monday, March 12th.
By 12:20 forty satisfied staff members were  tucking into a sumptuous four-course meal which extended a little bit beyond the lunchtime deadline of 1:20 - but no students complained!
J.J. was impressed by the enthusiasm and diligence of his "Chef's Team - 

Everybody had a job to do - no hands in pockets, no waiting around - a job had to be done and done properly.
Comments from the students were, "A fantastic experience", "Really enjoyable", "Great teamwork", "I learned an awful lot", "It's very hard work", "Yeah, I'm interested in this area of work"
The event was organised by Mr. Liam Carroll, St, Ailbe's Guidance Counsellor who saw the benefit of a past pupils offer to give something back to the school. many members commented on the high degree of order calm and discipline in the kitchen - a tribute to J.J's skills as a teacher as well as a chef.
J.J. Healy commented that he really enjoyed returning for a day to his Alma Mater and that he especially enjoys the teaching aspect of working with propective chefs.

February 8^th, 2001

Hillwalking

On Saturday, February 3^rd, an intrepid group of students and teachers gathered bright and early at Christ the King statue in the Glen of Aherlow for the first outing of the newly formed St.Ailbe’s Hillwalking Club.
A total of six teachers and nineteen students plus guests went on a two-hour walk around Slievenamuck. It turned out to be a very enjoyable event helped in no small by the excellent weather. Everyone is looking forward to the next event.

The Irish Times Business 2000 Challenge

Congratulations to the Transition Year Business Studies Quiz team which came second in the Inter-Schools Business Quiz held recently in the Cresent Comprehensive school, Limerick. A total of 71 teams took part from Limerick, Tipperary, Clare and Kerry. Team members were Helena Hanahran, Marion Kinahan, Anna Kennedy and Stacey Tuohy.

Cupid's Corner

The enterprising 5^th. Year Leaving Certificate Applied students took advantage of the time of the year that was in it on Thursday when they set up Cupid’s Corner and offered romantic verses, beautifully wrapped chocolates, teddy bears, scrolls and of course red roses for sale to the students. Business was brisk and within a very short time the coffers and the order books were full to overflowing. The students were delighted with the success of their Mini Enterprise Project and praised students and staff for their support.

Tyndall Lecture Series

Last Thursday 50 students from St.Ailbe’s attended the annual Tyndall Lecture Series in NUI Cork. The title of this year’s lecture was “Seeing is Believing” and proved to be a very educational and entertaining talk on light and its effects. The lecture included leser demonstrations, the cutting of light with a comb and the solution to such questions as “Why is the sky blue?” and “Why does the sky turn red in the evening or early morning?”

St. Ailbe’s Ladies Football

The Senior Girls Football team were very unlucky to suffer a narrow defeat to Newcastle West in the Senior B Championship match held in Bruff last Monday. It was a very competitive game up to the last minute. The backs played an excellent game trying their best to shut down the offense and the sides were level going into extra time but Newcastle West scored in the last seconds of the game and the final score was 5-6 (St.Ailbe’s), 6-4(Newcastle West). Donna Crowe, Martina Peters, Fiona Fox, Edel Hanley and Sarah Cunningham scored for St.Ailbe’s.

February 1^th, 2001

O'Brien Cup

Saint Ailbe's 24   -   12 Cashel Community School

St.Ailbe’s and Cashel CS met on Friday 26^th. Jan in the first round of the O’Brien Cup. St Ailbe’s took the lead in the second minute with a try scored by Niall Sheehan. Three minutes later St. Ailbe’s scored again, A brilliant try by Thomas Kirby running the length of the pitch. The try was converted by Niall Sheehan leaving the score at St. Ailbe’s 12 Cashel 0

Cashel CS then came back into the game and 15 minutes of sustained Cashel pressure resulted in a try scored and converted by the Cashel out half. Cashel continued to pressure the St. Ailbe’s team, but Colin Watters for St. Ailbe’s managed to break away to score a try. On the stroke of half time Cashel scored the second push over try leaving the score St.Ailbe’s 17 Cashel 12.

St.Ailbe’s took greater control of the game in the second half and scrum half Aidan Long scored underneath the posts. Niall Sheehan converted what proved to be the last score of the game putting the score at 24-12 to St.Ailbe’s.

Cashel rallied in the final 10 minutes of the game, but thanks to staunch defending by St.Ailbe’s couldn’t convert this pressure into a score leaving St.Ailbe’s the victors.

St.Ailbe's coach, Johnny Lonergan, mentioned the efforts of Ray Merrigan, David Vallence and David Kinehan in particular when praising the all round brilliant performance by the St. Ailbe’s team.

St. Ailbe’s wish to express their congratulations to Coach Alan Quinlan on his selection to the Irish team for Saturday’s 6 Nations game against Italy. Alan has been instrumental in the development of Rugby in the school leading us to a Munster title in our first year of competition. We wish him a long and successful run on the Irish team.

V.T.O.S.

Helga Taylor and Patrick O’Shea from the VTOS (Adult education) were interviewed on the P.J. Cummins morning radio show on Tipp Mid-west recently. Both of them did an excellent job of raising people’s awareness of the VTOS course at St. Ailbe’s school. Helga and Patrick gave a very informative description of what happens over the two year course. Many thanks to everyone who rang the station and the school with good wishes.

December 14^th, 2000

Saint Ailbe's 5   -   3 The Abbey

On the 6^th. December history was made in Clanwilliam Park when St. Ailbe’s and the Abbey met on the Rugby pitch for the first time. Although both schools are new to Rugby there were many experienced players on both sides, including two current Irish International squad members, Colin Watters from St. Ailbe’s and Liam Stapleton from the Abbey.

The game started at a thrilling pace with both teams making determined runs only to be swallowed up by excellent defending from both sides. After 10 minutes St. Ailbe’s were offered a lineout on the Abbey’s 22 and from this Paul Jones battled over the line for a try for St.Ailbe’s. Niall Sheehan attempted the conversion but the increasingly swirling wind drew the ball to the right of the upright. Later in the first half a penalty to the Abbey saw Abbey outhalf Paul Fogarty bring the score to 5-3 to St. Ailbe’s. Incedibly given the quality of attacking rugby played this was the last score of the game.

In the second half St. Ailbe’s began to show their greater experience, this being a competition which they won outright in 1999.Much of the second half was spent with St. Ailbe’s camped out in the Abbey’s half. Aidan Long, Thomas Kirby, Jerry Dee, Kenneth Hayes and Raymond Merrigan from St.Ailbe’s all made many breaks for the line but failed to crack the Abbey defence. After a thrilling game of highly entertaining rugby St. Ailbe’s emerged as victors at 5-3. Man of the Match was Raymond Merrigan (St. Ailbe’s) and coaches John Lonergan and Alan Quinlan had special praise for Colin Watters and Aidan Long who both played a great game.

English Speaking Board Exams

Last week a number of St. Ailbe’s students presented themselves for the English Speaking Board examinations. These examinations in Oral Communications promote excellence in the spoken word, enhance confidence and ensure that students are aware of all the skills required in gathering material and preparing speeches for public presentation.
This year for the first time Post Leaving certificate students taking the Computer Studies and Business Administration course also sat the English Speaking Board exams. Ms. Shelagh Snell travelled from England to assess the students work. She was most impressed with the high standard and the variety of material that was presented.

November 30^th, 2000

St. Ailbe's Student to Represent Ireland in Oxford

Anacarthy girl Caoimhe Ni Raghallaigh, a Sixth Year student at St. Ailbe’s School has the honour of being the first student from St. Ailbe’s and indeed Co. Tipperary to be selected to attend the International Session of the European Youth Parliament which will be held in Oxford from the 15^th. to the 23^rd. of December. The European Youth Parliament is the most prestigious youth organisation affilliated to the European Union.

Caoimhe’s road to Oxford began last March when she, along with two other St. Ailbe’s students, Niamh Kennedy and Margaret O Connor, were selected to attend a European Youth Parliament selection conference at St. Louis’s High School, Rathmines. Over 100 students from all over Ireland attended this conference and engaged in the democratic process. Each participant was given a topic to research in advance and the St. Ailbe’s girls carried out their research in the European Office in Dublin and also contacted their local MEP for information. The topics were actual issues, which are debated, in the European Parliament such as “Inner city deprivation” and “ The expansion of the EU. Where should the boundaries be?” At the conference committees were formed in which discussion took place and a resolution was drawn up for presentation in General Assembly. General Assembly was the main part of the weekend and it afforded the girls the opportunity to see how the European Parliament itself was run. Actual Parliamentary procedure was used and enforced by the president of the session and by the chair of each committee. Once each committee had presented its resolution it was then open to debate by the other committees and voted upon. The experience provided the girls with an opportunity to hone their skills in research, collaboration, debating and a consensual approach to arriving at a resolution.

From this session 50 students, along with 50 students selected from an earlier session took part in the final selection conference in Clongowes Wood College, Co. Kildare. From this session only 20 students were chosen to represent Ireland at one of two International sessions and St. Ailbe’s girl Caoimhe Ni Raghallaigh was one of these 20.

Caoimhe and 9 other Irish students will travel to Oxford on the 15^th. December. The delegates will be accommodated in the Halls of Residence in one of the Colleges in Oxford and all the activities will be located in this historic venue. Caoimhe’s topic for debate is “The European Union in 2050. Will it exist and why?” Caoimhe assures us that she is more than ready for the challenge. “I am really excited about meeting my fellow Europeans from within the European Union and I think this is a great opportunity because not only do we learn about current issues which affect us all but we get to have a say about them. My involvement in the European Youth Parliament has broadened my horizons and helped me to feel much more positively disposed towards the democratic process”, she said.

The International Conference will follow the same format as the national selection conferences but will include additional features such as the Euro Village where the delegates from each country, dressed in national costume, will present a stand of goods from their country. The delegates will also perform a musical piece at a “Eurovision Night” and a formal Gala Ball will close the eight-day Conference in style.

Caoimhe is a most worthy ambassador for her school, her county and her country and we wish her the best of luck in Oxford.

November 24^th, 2000

"Lyons Club Youth Awards"

Congratulations to Sixth Year student, Niamh Kennedy, who has won the Tipperary Lions Club Youth Award this year. The award is presented to young people who have demonstrated a commitment to the Lions ideal of service to the community. Niamh was presented with this award in recognition of her contribution to her local community. She is very involved with Annacarthy Youth Club and is a member of the Tipperary Region Youth Service. Also nominated for this award were Caoimhe Ni Raghallaigh and Ray Merrigan, Sixth Year.

"Basketball"

Congratulations to the school Senior Cup team which had a convincing win over Cashel Community College in the Bank of Ireland school cup last Tuesday at the Canon Hayes Recreational Centre. Niamh Kennedy, who scored 30 points and was voted Most Valuable Player, along with Vicki Ryan (11 points), Claire O Grady (10 points) Ciara Heneghan (4 points) Marie Costello (4 points), Anna Kennedy (2 points ), Marie Scully and Fiona Fox worked hard to secure this decisive victory (61-44 )for St. Ailbe’s.

"Home Garden Competition"

Tradionally there has always been a great interest in this annual competition and this year was no exception. In the Senior Competition Karen Hogan, Kilfeacle won First prize with David King, Ballinalard coming a close second.
Jamie King, Ballinalard won the Junior Competition with Aidan Kennedy, Marian Tce. Tipperary in second place.

October 26^th, 2000

"Basketball"  

St. Ailbe’s Senior Cup team had a convincing win over Rockwell in the first round of the Bank of Ireland “C” Cup last Tuesday. The final score in this action packed match was 41-68. The Senior and Cadette teams have qualified for the Zone Semi-Finals which will be held on Tuesday 7^th November at St. Enda’s Limerick.

"Transition Year"

Two Transition year students, Aisling Dee and Laura Delaney, were chosen as Regional Finalists in the national “Pot Noodles” advertising competition. The girls broadcast their ad. live on Tipp FM on Tuesday, 24^th. October. They will receive a £100 gift voucher for Golden Discs. Regional winners will compete in the National Final in Dublin with prizes worth £5000.

"Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme"

The Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme (V.T.O.S.) graduation was held at St. Ailbe’s School on Tuesday 24^th. October. The successful students who were presented with their Certificates of Achievements of N.C.V.A. level 2 by the Principal, Mr Pat Moroney, were Hugh Wade and Elizabeth O Brien (Tipperary Town), Bridget Kiely (Solohead), and Jackie Burns (Newtown). Mr Moroney commented on the high achievement of this year’s group and the success of previous year groups. All the graduates are now employed locally.

V.T.O.S. is a two year course and areas of study include Woodwork and Craft, Business and Enterprise and Communications and Computers. It has been successfully run at St. Ailbe’s for the past six years. The course is awarded at level 2 by the National Council for Vocational Awards (N.C.V.A.). People aged 21 or over who are getting unemployment payments or signing for credits for at least six months are entitled to apply for the course. Recipients of One-Parent Family Payment, Disability Allowances and dependent spouses are also eligible to join. It provides students with an opportunity for further studies at third level or to gain an apprenticeship. It is also a valuable qualification for employment.

Recruitment for first year students is now taking place. Application forms are available from Michael O Sullivan, V.T.O.S. Co-ordinator at St. Ailbe’s School.

October 24^th, 2000

FAI

Under-17 Soccer

Saint Ailbe's 3      Waterpark 3  (AET)

St. Ailbe's Win  4 - 2  on penalties

St.Ailbe's started the match playing against the wind and the hill. Both teams contested evenly until the 28^th. minute when Waterpark got in for an easy goal. Denis O'Brien received an eye injury early in the first half and was replaced just before half time by Christopher Power. The remainder of the first half was filled with many chances but no goals.

In the second half St.Ailbe's now playing with the advantage of the hill and the wind took control in many areas of the field. This pressure paid off with a goal from Christopher Power in the 50th. min. to level the match.

Both teams continued to play attacking football which resulted in four goals being scored in an eight minute spell, mid-way through the second half. Waterpark taking the lead again in the 70^th. min. and St.Ailbe's replying immediately with a goal from Declan Peters in the 72^nd min. Anthony Glasheen scored in the 74^th min. to give St.Ailbe's a deserved lead going into the last quarter of an hour of the game. This lead was held for only four minutes when a lapse in concentration allowed Waterpark in for the equalizer. It was an even contest for the remainder of normal time, with both sides creating chances. Extra time was evenly contested with both teams having many opportunities to win the game, during which Darren Ryan came on for Morgan Maguire.

As this was a cup game a result was required on the day, so a penalty shoot-outs was going to decide the game. A lot of pressure was on the St.Ailbe's penalty takers because it was this team that lost in a final last year in a penalty shoot out.

Declan Peters took over the duties in goals and saved two penalties. For St.Ailbe's D.Peters, B.Moroney, A.Glasheen and D.Whelan each scored a penalty giving St.Ailbe's a win and a home draw in the last sixteen of this competition.

October 13^th, 2000

"Parents' Council Dance"

St. Ailbe’s Parents’ Council is holding a dance at Ballyglass House Hotel on Saturday, 21^st. October 2000. Music by Junction 22.

"Basketball"  

Congratulations to the Senior Girls’ team who defeated St. Nessan’s Limerick (37-35) last week in the Irish Schoolgirls’ Basketball League. The Senior Girls and the Cadets are in action again next Tuesday (17^th. Oct.) at the Canon Hayes Recreational Center. They take on St. Anne’s Killaloe and the tip off is at 1pm.

Well done to Fiona Fox (2^nd.Year) who has made the Midlands U15 Girls Basketball team. Fiona will compete in the All-Ireland Inter Regions Competition in Dublin on the weekend of the 28^th. October.