Burren Field Trip

Last weekend Fifth Year students from the school took part in a field trip to the Burren, Co. Clare as part of the Biology program in the school. First stop for the group was the Cliffs of Moher where students took time to note the wildlife abundant on the rock face and to compile data on what they saw. From here students traveled to examine the life that was to be found on the rocky sea shores along the Burrens coastline.

Again students spent the day recording what they saw as well as listening to Mr. Lonergan's, Mr. Stapleton's and Mr. Carroll's interesting talks (?) on the wildlife that was to be found. Geographers were also catered for as Mr. Cummins took the many geography students through some of the features unique to the Burren.

However the day was also about fun when the students' hard work was rewarded with a barbecue on Fanore Beach. Despite Mr. Lonergan's cooking everyone seemed to enjoy themselves. Perhaps the highlight of the day came when students decided to reward the efforts of their teachers by soaking them.

Hillwalking

A recent trip to the Galtee Mountains proved a great success and has paved the way for the establishment of a Hill-walking club in the school in the near future. Twenty-four students and teachers took advantage of the recent spell of fine weather and headed for Lake Muskery. For many it was a first visit to the Galtees. While many found it a difficult walk in the heat, everyone agreed that their efforts were worthwhile. In September it is hoped to begin a regular program of walks not only in the Galtees but perhaps even further afield.

Graduation 1998

Last week the school celebrated this years graduating classes with the annual Graduation Mass. The mass which was organized by Senior students, with the help of Fr. Shanahan, proved to be an excellent forum to highlight the very positive input that this years group have had since coming into the school as first years. Mr. O'Callaghan was eager to point out how much each student had grown and developed through out their years in St. Ailbe's and how each student is now facing a new and exciting stage in their lives. Tributes to the group also came from Mr. Carroll and Mr. Coleman. For these students their next official contact with the school will be when they face the examinations on June 10th.

Under 14 Soccer

Historic N.M.L.C. Victory for St. Ailbe's St Ailbe's (Tipp.) 3-2 St Patrick's (Shannon) If there was ever a case of a game not being over until the final whistle it was the North Munster League Cup Final, played in Kilanone in Co. Limerick on Thursday May 7th. Trailing by one goal to nil with the cup seemingly out of their grasp St. Ailbe's somehow conjured up an equaliser in the final minutes of the game.

Excitement, in what was at times a dour game, reached fever pitch when William O'Brien pulled the ball back on the end-line to Vincent Ryan who connected to slam home a valuable equaliser.

The game had started at a furious pace with very little space to move the ball around at midfield. Perhaps, as to be expected with so much at stake and in poor weather conditions, the standard of the game was far from what it could have been. However the commitment was not lacking from either side as the early solid tackles flew in. The first half was dominated by both defences who stood solid and kept chances to a premium. However it was St. Patrick who showed early signs of what was to come when after a corner inside twenty minutes was meet by the head of Kevin Molloy. St. Patrick's hopes of an early lead were dashed only by the woodwork as Molloy's effort struck the crossbar. St. Ailbe's Anthony Crowe was unlucky not to benefit from some tidy approach work as he exploited a hole in the St. Patrick's defence only to shoot wide of the target only moments after Molloy's effort for St. Patrick's.

St. Patrick's benefited from a more open style of play in the second half and were to have the better of the exchanges in the first twenty minutes of the half. The reward for their dominance came mid-way through when a Stephen Kearns' corner deceived John Russell, the St. Ailbe's keeper, and found its way to the back of the net. St. Patrick's now 1-0 up seemed favourites to go on and lift the cup.

Despite allowing St. Patrick's the room that lead to the goal, going 1-0 behind seemed to wake St. Ailbe's up who now begun to pile on the pressure in search of an equaliser. Perhaps spurred on by the victory of the Abbey C.B.S. in the Senior Football Ireland the previous weekend St. Ailbe's stepped up the pace as the game drew to a close. John Donnelly went close and Anthony Glasheen's opportunistic lob landed only inches over the bar. It looked as though an agonising defeat was on the cards for the Tipperary side. The St. Patrick's defence and midfield continued to hold out against persistent attacks from St. Ailbe's. Exposed at the back, the counter attack was inevitable and John Russell was called upon on a number of occasions to rescue the Tipperary men.

With the game appearing more and more out of reach Vincent Ryan became the hero when he slotted home to force a draw in dramatic style. Ryan capitalised on a superb run from Denis O'Brien which split the St Patrick's defence and left him clear to score and send the St. Ailbe's supporters into a flurry of excitement. Importantly as the game went into extra-time despite St. Patrick's earlier dominance of the game, it was St. Ailbe's who took the psychological advantage into overtime.

In extra time St. Patrick's were again cursing their luck as Niall Hannon, playing well for the Shannon side, was left wondering what he had to do as he saw his effort go close. As the first period of extra time drew to a close St. Patrick's were left shaking their heads and looking to the array of missed opportunities, as a strike from a Declan Peters' free kick deceived Martin Long and found its way to the net. It took 87 minutes but St Ailbe's had gone ahead. A third goal duly arrived from the boot of John Donnelly who had been threatening all day. Donnelly beat the St. Patrick's keeper to get on the end of a through ball and some how managed to chip the ball over the head of an in-rushing defender.

On the run of play one must feel for the St. Patrick's side. Despite strong performances from Kevin Molloy, John Mullins and Noel Twomey luck was not to favour them. Enormous credit must go to St. Ailbe's who despite deservedly going one down fought back and turned the game around. The type of commitment shown by Declan Peters, who was outstanding at the back, echoed right through the Tipperary side and was the reason why St. Ailbe's ran out deserving winners at the end of a particularly competitive game. Both sides can be proud of the spirit in which the game, played in difficult conditions, was contested.

The North Munster League Cup was presented to Jason Quirke the St. Ailbe's captain by the Secretary of the North Munster League Mr. Tom Moloney.

German Exchange Programme

Students Council

The final round of elections to put in place a Student Council took place in the school this week. For the second time students were asked to vote for their preferred candidate. On this occasion students were voting on the make up of the Student Council itself. Last month saw the election of Class Representatives who then went forward for election to the Council. Following what were very successful elections on Tuesday the final make-up of the Council has been decided with every year equally represented.
Those elected to the eight person Council include:

As Council members these students will have busy, but interesting, times ahead.