News Page 2003.

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Email - stpatscavan@eircom.net

....GAA News

Corn na nÓg Team into Quarter-Finals
The Corn na nÓg team has qualified for the quarter-finals of the competition after coming through a very competitive group in the league section with opponents such as Abbey CBS, St Michael's Enniskillen and St Patrick's Maghera.

While they lost the opening match against Omagh CBS they bounced back with an impressive win over Abbey CBS.  Finishing strongly in their third match they registered a deserved victory over St Michael's Enniskillen.  In a rip-roaring encounter against St Patrick's Maghera the Cavan lads raced into an early lead only to be hauled back by the Derry team.  A last minute point by Niall Smith earned the Cavan team a well deserved draw.

Their quarter-final game will be played on Saturday 31st January.  We wish them and their trainer Mr JJ O'Reilly continued success in the competition.

 

The College Senior Team defeated in North Leinster League
The Ulster Council of the GAA has granted permission for St Patrick's to play in the North Leinster League this year instead of the McRory Cup in Ulster.  This experiment was granted for a two year period.  It is hoped that the Cavan team will enjoy more success by virtue of the fact that they will  be playing against teams who will not have an age advantage over them.

The campaign began on a high note with a fine win over Marist College, Athlone.  However, the  team then went down by seven points to St Mel's, Longford.  The fact that seven regular members of the team were absent due to illness was a major factor in the outcome of that game.  However, the team recovered in the next match and came out winners over Moyne Community School.  Then came the game against Moate College, resulting in another victory for the Cavan team.  The St Pat's boys then avenged the earlier defeat against St Mels, Longford, when they defeated them in a play-off by 3 - 6 to 1 - 7.

The victory in the play-off meant that St Patrick's Cavan would have to face St Patrick's Navan, one of the best teams in Leinster.  The Cavan boys got off to a bad start conceding 4 - 4 in the first half.  In a spirited second-half performance they restricted the Navan team to two more points.  However they failed to convert their own chances so Navan were the eventual winners, 4 - 6 to 1 - 7.  This defeat brought an end to the Cavan team's interest in they year's North Leinster League but they then had the Leinster Championship to look forward to.

The first match of the Championship, however, brought disappointment as the Cavan side went down by four points to Newbridge in a torrid game played in absolutely atrocious weather conditions.  It was a game that the Cavan lads could have and should have won but they were unable to take the many chances that came their way.  This defeat brought to an end the Senior team's competitive games for this year.

 

This year's Rannafast team was unable to emulate the success of last year, going out of the competition on when they were defeated by St Patrick's, Armagh.

The campaign got off to a bad start with defeats to Omagh CBS and to St Patrick's, Armagh.  The game against Armagh was particularly disappointing.  The Cavan side were leading by six points with only three minutes to go, only to lose the match by a single point.  The team then rallied to record a fine victory over St Coleman's, Newry. 

As a result of the win over Newry, St Pat's had to take part in a play-off against Armagh in order to decide who would go into the quarter-finals of the competition.  The game on Friday last was a major disappointment for the Cavan lads as they were defeated by a five point margin.  As a result, their participation in this year's competition has come to an abrupt end.

 

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....Students Fast for Charity

In a sponsored fast organised by the Ms Gornall and Ms Madden, the Religion teachers, students raised almost 3,800 Euro.

The fast was in aid of the Society of St Vincent de Paul.  The cheque was recently present to Mr P J Dunne from the Cavan branch of the Society


Brian Clarke, Stephen Rudden, Mr P J Dunne, William Courtney, Darragh Doonan, Jimmy Costello and Ms Anne Marie Madden

 

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....Golfers Come Third in Ulster

Three senior students from the College represented St Patrick's College in the Ulster Schools Competition held recently at Portadown Golf Club.

A total of 27 schools from all over the province took part in the competition.



St Patrick's was represented by Bobby Brady, Frank Crowe and Eoin McGrath who scored 78, 84 and 73 respectively.  This was good enough to win third place in the competition.  However the Pat's boys missed out on qualification for the All-Ireland by just 3 shots.  The overall winner on the day was Banbridge.

We congratulate Bobby, Eoin and Frank on a great acheivement.

 

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....BT Award for Rannafast Captain

John O'Reilly, captain of last year's victorious Rannafast Team, was one of 23 team captains to be presented with a special award on Friday, 10th October.

The presentation ceremony, sponsored by BT, was held in the Ramada Hotel, Belfast.  The awards were presented to the captains of the winning teams in 23 Ulster GAA schools competitions in both hurling and football.  Also present were the parents of the captains, the team coaches and the school principals.

Compere for the evening was TV sports reporter Jerome Quinn and the guest speaker was Phillip Jordan, a member of the Tyrone All-Ireland winning team.  There was also a special presentation to the mothers of the winning captains.


John O'Reilly (Father), Jerome Quinn, John O'Reilly (Rannafast Captain), Ray Cullivan (Coach) and Noleen O'Reilly (Mother)

 

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....Renovations in the Old Wing

 

Work on the renovation of the Old Wing has continued throughout the summer.

The renovations are part of the overall plan to turn the Old Wing of the College into a Diocesan Pastoral and Resource Centre.  The top floor of the wing will accommodate the Cavan College of Further Studies while the ground and first floors will provide offices, meeting rooms etc for the new Pastoral Centre.

The building has been totally rewired.  The old heating system has been replaced by a totally new system.  Every window in the wing was removed, treated and, if required, repaired before being re-installed with draught-proofing etc.  The "Top T" has been turned into classrooms and lecture rooms for the CCFS while the "Middle T" has been converted into residential accommodation for the person in charge of the Pastoral Centre.

 



The Student Refectory:  To become a Conference Room

As a result of all this work the College Office, the Guidance Office and the President's Office have had to relocated in porta-cabin accommodation at the back of the Old Wing.  The plans also include the conversion of the student refectory into a conference centre.  As a result, students now use the Study Hall as a dining room.  The installation of two new boilers has resulted in the construction of two new chimney stacks at the rear of the College.  It is also planned to re-roof the College Chapel.

 



The view of the back of the Old Wing, showing the temporary offices and the new boiler chimney stacks.

 

It is hoped that these renovations will be complete by early 2004.

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....Goodbye to "Top T"

Renovation works have begun in the Old Wing of the College.

After a span of 129 years we say goodbye to the rooms on "Top T" and on "Middle T".


Removing the rubble as the rooms on Top T are demolished

 

The renovation works result from the decision to close the Boarding School in 2000 and to convert the Old Wing into a Resource Centre for the Diocese of Kilmore.  The plans include the conversion of much of the top floor into classrooms and offices for the Cavan College of Further Studies.  And so we say goodbye to the rooms along that part of the corridor known to boarders as the "Top T".

The photo on the left shows what the "Top T" looked like before work began and the photo on the right shows what it now looks like after the demolition of the rooms and the corridor.  The shadowy stairs to the right of the photo are the old stairs to the attic.


This is all that remains of the two rooms on "Top T" that overlooked the front of the College

 

Phase 2 of the project will be the conversion of the first floor into offices and meetings rooms for the new resource Centre.   The corridor known as "Middle T" will be converted into a residential apartment for the person in charge of the Centre.

The project will have to move very quickly because work on the first phase, the top floor, has to be completed before September so that it will be ready for the resumption of the new term in the College of Further Studies.  As well as general refurbishment, the renovations include the installation of a new heating system and the rewiring the whole wing.

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....Tragic Deaths of Former Students

Two former students of the College were tragically killed in a freak road accident in the early hours of Monday, 28th July.

The boys, both from the Ballyhaise/Redhills area, were killed when the car in which they were travelling left the road and hit a tree near Gannon's Cross on the Butlersbridge-Cloverhill road.  The accident was not discovered until later on Monday morning.

Shane Mooney was 18 and would have completed his Leaving Cert studies in June 2003.  Bernard Gilsenan was 16 and was in third year when he left the College.  They were first-cousins.

Their deaths came as a terrible shock to all who knew them.  Huge crowds attended the removals and the funerals.  The funeral Mass was celebrated by their local priest, Fr Pat McHugh, and both boys were buried in adjoining plots in Killoughter cemetery.

The staff and students of St Patrick's College extend their deepest sympathy to the families of both boys.

May they rest in peace.

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....Walking Awards for Two Students

Two students of the College, brothers Hugh and Paul Fitzpatrick, from Ballyhaise, have recently won medals at national athletics competitions.  Both lads specialise in the walking events.

Both students represented the College in the All-Ireland Schools Finals in Tullamore on 31st May last.  Paul, pictured left, won the silver medal in his event, the 1200 m walk for Junior Boys.  His brother Hugh came 5th in the 2000 m walk for Intermediate Boys.

Hugh (right of picture) was then chosen to represent Ulster Schools in the Tailteann Games which took place in Tullamore on 21st June.  He came third in the 3K walk, winning the bronze medal.  He took up the sport just over two years ago and is now in regular training.

Both boys thoroughly enjoy the sport and have ambitions to participate in further national competitions, whenever the opportunities arise.  We congratulate them on their recent successes and we wish them the best of luck in future competitions.

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....End of Year Awards

Fifth Year students celebrated the end of their five years in the College with a special Graduation Mass held in the College Assembly Hall on Wednesday evening last, 21st May.  The chief celebrant for the Mass was Most Rev Dr Leo O'Reilly, Bishop of Kilmore and patron of the College.  Also in attendance were the teachers and the parents/guardians of the 5th Year students.

After the Mass a number of awards were presented to the students.

Student of the Year Merit Awards


Pictured here are the four winners of the Student of the Year Merit Awards, sponsored by Cavan Credit Union.
William Fitzpatrick, David Quinn, Erick Johnson (Treasurer, Cavan Credit Union), Darren Lynch, Francis Murray and Mr Patsy Lee (Deputy Principal)

 

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....College Soccer Team Defeated in Schools Cup Final

The College Soccer Team was defeated in the final of the Schools Senior Cup Final when it when it went down to a 1 - 4 scoreline against Blackrock College, Dublin at Belfield on Wednesday, April 9th, 2003.

 

Irish Cup Finalists

Back Row: Alan O'Riordan, Francis Graham, Charles Halligan, Gearóid Collins, Micheál Lyng, Darren Lynch
Front Row: Brian Greenan, Khalid Hussain, David Quinn (Capt), Enda McCormack, Ciarán Lynch
(Photo: The Anglo-Celt)

 

The St Patrick's College lads had the best possible start when Micheál Lyng scored the opening goal after 10 minutes.  His shot from 25 yards was unstoppable, into the left corner of the net.  The first half was a dogged and dour affair but sprang to life in the last few moments of the half.  The Cavan team missed a a golden opportunity to go 2 - 0 up before the break when they kicked wide in front of an open goal.  Then, within a minute, Kelly scored for Blackrock, leaving the teams level at the break. 

 
Gearóid Collins is closely guarded by the Blackrock defence

During the first 15 minutes of the second half the St Pat's lads totally dominated play and were unlucky not to score again as shots from Killian Phair and Gearóid Collins were narrowly off target.  With 15 minutes to go, Blackrock scored again, from McDermott.  As the Cavan lads made greater efforts to find an equaliser they became more exposed at the back and Blackrock's Vaughan scored a third.  It was in injury time that Blacrock again broke through the Cavan defence and McDermott scored goal number 4.


Alan O'Riordan with Killian Phair to his left tries to set up an attack on the Blackrock goal.

For the Cavan lads it was a sad end to a fine game and to an excellent campaign.  Many felt that this was a game that they could have won and all were agreed that the 4 - 1 score-line certainly was not a fair reflection of their performance on the day.  Naturally, team members and coaches were deeply disappointed with the outcome.  However, we commend them for a marvellous achievement in reaching the final.  They did the College proud.

Mr Alan McGinty, Principal of Blackrock College, speaking to the St Patrick's lads after the game told them that he and his Blackrock supporters were very worried at the beginning of the second half.  He commended the Cavan lads on their footballing skills and and on the positive attitude that they brought into the game.

Over 400 students from the College attended the match.  Their enthusiastic support contributed to making this a memorable and colourful occasion for all.  While a victory would have made the day extra special, the occasion will be memorable for all who attended. 

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....Historic Soccer Win for St Pat's

The College U-17 soccer team had a historic win on Tuesday evening, 18th March, when they won the FAI Ulster Senior Cup.  This is the first time that a College soccer team has won a trophy.

In recent times Co Donegal teams have dominated this competition.  The fact that St Pat's were playing yet another Co Donegal team, Colaiste Cholmcille, Ballyshannon, in the final did not daunt the Cavan lads.  Ballyshannon opened the scoring after 20 minutes with a goal scored from a header from a free kick.  Ten minutes later Gearóid Collins scored Cavan's first goal from a corner.  Just before half-time St Pat's struck again when Micheál Lyng scored from play to give Cavan a 2 - 1 lead going in at the break.  Then, 15 minutes into the second half, Enda McCormick scored from play and Cavan led 3 - 1.  St Pat's continued to pile on the pressure and produced many more chances only to be thwarted by some excellent saves from the Ballyshannon goalie.  At the final whistle St Patrick's College had a well deserved 3 -1 victory and team captain, David Quinn, was presented with the Ulster Senior Cup.


The match was played under lights in Finn Park, Ballybofey, Co Donegal. 

(Our thanks to Pat Lee of P&A Video for the pictures)

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....The Senior Tour

The Senior Tour took place during the February mid-term break, from Sunday 16th February until Friday 21st.

This year the students traveled to Italy, taking in the glory of Rome, the wonder of Pompeii and the beauty of Sorrento and Capri.  



While in Rome the students, pictured above in St Peter's Square, visited the usual Roman highlights; the Coliseum, the Forum and St Peter's Basilica and the Vatican.  They thoroughly enjoyed their stay in the Eternal City.

Four members of the College Staff accompanied them: Ms Gornall, Ms Madden, Ms Clancy and Fr Gilhooly.

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....The Late Fr Augustine Leaden

The death has taken place of Fr Augustine Leaden, a former member of the College teaching staff.

Fr Leaden, Fr Gus to his friends, was a member of the staff from 1956 until 1971.  He was an excellent teacher and among the subjects he taught were Latin, Greek and Maths.

Fr Gus was born in 1929 in Drumlonan, Ballinamore, Co Leitrim.  He studied at St Patrick's College before going to study for the priesthood in Maynooth.  He was ordained on 20th June 1954.  Before joining the College staff in 1956 he served in Birmingham and in Coronae, Arva.

After he left St Patrick's College in 1971 he was appointed curate in Kinlough, Co Leitrim.  In 1985 he was appointed P.P. to the parish of Lurgan.  In 1987 he was appointed P.P. to Killinagh & Glangevlin.  Ill-health, however, forced him to retire to a nursing home in Sligo within a year or two of this appointment.

Fr Gus died on 12th June 2003.  His funeral Mass was held in St Patrick's Church, Killinagh, on Monday 16th June.  He was interred in the local cemetery.

We extend our sincere sympathy to his sisters Una and Bernadette and to his brother Brendan.

May he rest in peace

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Autumn Arrives

The recent spell of good weather has really brightened up College life during this first term.

It has given a great opportunity to the football coaches and teams in both Gaelic and soccer to get in lots of training and practice.



And, as is clear from the above photograph of the walks at the back of the College, there is a marvellous display of autumnal colours around the grounds.  Rarely have the College grounds looked so well at this time of year.

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Philip bows out of "You're a Star"

Leaving Cert student Philip Noone, who recently won through to the final heats of RTE's "You're a Star" has bowed out of the competition.  In the first round heat from Longford recently broadcast on RTE TV Philip took second place with 11,000 votes, only 40 votes behind the eventual  winner on the evening.

Philip, pictured right from the TV programme, got great support from Louis Walsh who was very impressed with the young Cavan lad's talent, saying "This kid has got something.  I've got a feeling about him".  Philip sang "Cannonball" by Damien Rice.  Throughout the programme he look confident and relaxed.

On January 18 Philip appeared in the first of the national heats, which was broadcast live on RTE.  Again, he was successful and won through to the next heat, one of eleven finalists.  However, the second national heat on Sunday, January 25th, did not go so well for the young Cavan lad and he failed to gain enough popular support to emulate his previous successes.  He and another contestant were eliminated from the competition.

It was remarkable experience for Philip and, regardless of the outcome, for all of us who know him Philip is still very much a star!  Well done Philip!

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Parents' Association

The Board of Management of the College has recently given the go-ahead for the establishmentg of a Parents' association.

The Association held its inaugural meeting on Thursday 9th October.  About 70 parents attended this first meeting.  Fr Alwill, school Principal, welcomed them and thanked them for coming.  Fr Alwill stated that the Association would add a new dimension to parental involvement in the life of the school and he said that he looked forward to working with the new committee of the association. 

A committee of ten members was selected and officers were appointed.  Mr Rory Hayden was elected Chairperson of the Association.

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Renovations to the College Chapel.

Renovations to the College Chapel have recently got under way.

These renovations are part of the on-going renovations that are being carried out in the Old Wing of the College.

The main work on the College Chapel is concentrated on the roof of the Chapel.  The old slates have been carefully removed and the roof will then be insulated.  The slates will be cleaned and then put back onto the roof. 

It is expected that this work will take about three to four weeks.

This will be the last major work to be carried out.

In the meantime, renovations to the top floor of the Old Wing have been completed and it is now in full use as part of the Cavan College of Further Studies.

Work on the first floor is almost complete.  The main concentration of the  work is now on the Ground Floor.  The photograph shows the current state of the Red Tiled Corridor as the work continues.

All the windows have been removed and taken away for repair.  By and large they are in good condition and will be refitted with improved insulation.  All rooms and offices will be fitted with new wiring and with new heating.

Steel supporting beams have been placed into the ceiling of the old student refectory.  The refectory itself will become a conference centre.

It is hoped that all renovation works will be completed by 19th December.

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Sr Rosarii Haughton

The death has taken place of Sr Rosarii Haughton, a former member of the College teaching staff for 25 years.

Sr Rosarii was a member of the Sisters of Mercy and had taught in Ballinamore before she came to St Patrick's College.  She taught Irish, Geography and Religion.  She was a hard-working and dedicated teacher who won the respect of staff and students alike.  Above all, many students will remember her care and concern for them outside of the classroom.

Sr Rosarii, pictured right welcoming Archbishop Brady to the College in 1997, was very involved in the helping with the College musicals and over the years she built up a huge costume collection for the shows.  She also led a number of school tours to England and to the continent.  She worked hard in helping prepare for the various special Masses in the College, and many boarding students will especially remember her decorations in the College Chapel for the Christmas Mass.  When necessary she was always willing to work as nurse in the College infirmary.  When she retired from teaching and from the College in June 1997 she joined the Mercy Sisters in Mullingar where she was deeply involved in parish ministry.

Sr Rosarii, a native of Rathnew, Co Wicklow, died after a long illness on Friday, 24th January 2003.

We, the staff and students of St Patrick's College, offer our sincere sympathy to her brothers and sisters, to her nephews and nieces and to her colleagues in the Sisters of Mercy.

May she rest in peace.

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....Judo Team wins National Medals

Four students have recently won medals at the Irish School Judo Championships held  in Dublin.

In all, the boys won four medals, one gold, one silver and two bronze.  In the U45 section Michael Conaty too the silver and Mark Leddy took the bronze.  Jason Smith took gold in the U55 section and Joseph Moore took the bronze.

The team was coached by Adrian Boyle.  Adrian is a past pupil of St Patrick's College.

Pictured here we are Mark Leddy, Jason Smith, Fr Alwill (President), Adrian Boyle (Coach), Joseph Moore and Michael Conaty.

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