ST. COLMCILLE’S COMMUNITY SCHOOL NEWS

Christmas Carol Service
The theme we chose for this years carol service was “No room at the Inn”. We reflected on the fact that just as doors were closed on Mary and Joseph 2000 years ago, doors are still closed in the face of many on the margins of our society. We invited Fr. Peter McVerry S.J., well known for his efforts to provide homes for those with no place to call home, to speak to us at the carol service. He accepted a cheque for €1000 from the students for his work.

EXTRA CURRICULAR SPORTS ACTIVITIES
Golf
Senior Golf Panel: Stephen Vincent (Captain), Mark O’Neill, Paul Whelan, Noel McKiernan, Sean Jennings, Paul Boyle and Ben Murphy represented the school in the schools league matchplay in October and November against:
q Holy Child Community School, Sallynoggin
q St Benildus College, Kilmacud
q St Andrews, Booterstown.
Members of the same panel represented the school in Elm Park Golf Club in the Irish Schools Match Play championship in November.

Junior Golf Panel: Barry McKiernan, Barry Walsh and Mark Kilroy represented the school in the Leinster Schools Junior Qualifying Event in Beech Park. All matches were played off scratch.

Basketball
Girls Cadet East Region Basketball final
Knocklyon VS Columbus College
Venue: Oblate Hall, Inchicore

As the ball was thrown in to start the game the five Knockylon girls knew that a hard game lay ahead. It all started with Anna Penlava, the schools Spanish student, going in for the jump and the No. 8 for Columbus winning and setting up a basket straight away for her team. Knocklyon fought back with fierce tackling from Sharon Glynn and Katie Moran and got two points up on the board, followed by two converted free throws taken by Anna.
Soon the scores were tied at 8 a piece, but it was then Columbus toughened up to the Knocklyon defence getting in four more points before the end of the first quarter.
The score at the half-time whistle was Knocklyon-16, Columbus-21.
In the second half, Ailbhe Brazel was brought on as a substitute for Katie Moran and she got started as fast as she could scoring a terrific lay-up for Knocklyon. They were down but not out!
Knocklyon called a time out with three minutes remaining in the third quarter to discuss tactics for a comeback. However Columbus had also discussed new tactics, using a strange line of players to shield the other team. This proved useful as Knocklyon was prevented from scoring for several minutes.
With 10 points between the two teams the forecasts weren’t looking good, but the team kept driving, with their supporters behind them 100 per cent, bearing banners, whistles and creating imaginative rhymes to cheer the team on. The team rebutted the Columbus defence numerous times but Columbus proved the stronger side on the day scoring two 3 pointers and a free throw to firmly take their win.
All in all, the game was extremely enjoyable to watch with admirable sportsmanship from both sides and great game-play by Anna Penlava, Katie Moran, Caoimhe Moran and Ailbhe Brazel. The score in the end was Knocklyon-22, Columbus College-33.
Hugh Ruddy

Hurling
Under 16 Junior B Hurling Final
St. Colmcilles vs Clonkeen College
Venue: UCD

Match Report
For the entire hour, the St. Colmcille’s supporters could be heard cheering on their team with incredible energy throughout the Belfield campus. Their drums, bodhráns, airhorns and whistles, created an atmosphere that inspired the Knocklyon team to the narrowest of victories. The never-say-die attitude and passion displayed by the team, was undoubtedly one of the main factors in St. Colmcille’s retaining this cup for the second year in succession. The champions refused to be broken down throughout a tightly fought game.
It is perhaps one performance from the incredibly gifted Niall McMorrow, which enabled Colmcille’s to break down a stubborn Clonkeen defence. The outcome was in the balance until the end, but the Knocklyon unit survived with their backs-to-the-wall approach, especially in the last ten minutes of the game. The astute tactics of bringing bodies back into defence in the final quarter of the game ensured that the talented Clonkeen forwards were reduced to scraps.
Brian Duffy, who commenced hurling only three years ago (along with three other team members), was rock solid in defence. He curtailed the very talented David Treacey of Clonkeen throughout the hour. Brian’s determination and spirit set the tone for a hard working Knocklyon defence. There were glimpses of magic from Clonkeen’s full forward Conor Goffe especially in the early stages of the game.
St. Colmcilles captain Seamus Keane, was a tower of strength at centre forward and inspired his team with a wonderfully worked goal just before the break. It was the skill and craft of McMorrow which created this vital goal.
After the break, Michael Keenan managed to find the space to crash home another goal for Knocklyon. The game continued at a hectic pace with the ever reliable Stephen O Connor producing a wonder save from Clonkeen’s Treacey. Liam O Dowd and Robert Walsh continued to battle ferociously for Clonkeen and it wasn’t through lack of effort on their part that they failed to control Mc Morrow the magician.
When Knocklyon’s third goal arrived from a twenty one yard free from the number twelve, the supporters could no longer contain themselves. The noise and cheers that greeted the goal rocked the Belfield ground.
When the final whistle arrived, the Knocklyon players fell to the ground in exhaustion and elation. The three hundred and fifty supporters invaded the pitch in what were emotional scenes. The jubilation and ecstasy displayed by team and supporters alike showed how much hurling means to St. Colmcilles Community School. The dancing and singing continued as Seamus Keane lifted the cup that will be brought back to the hurling stronghold of Knocklyon once again.

Badminton
Our boys under 16 team who are playing in Division 1 have won all of their matches to date and are now through to the Dublin Semi-finals. The team consists of: Alan Fanning, Stephen Neary, Eoin Leonard, Karl Fitzharris and Gavin White.
Our under 14 girls team of: Mairead Fanning, Kate Fitzharris, Sarah Murray, Leonie Dunne, Sarah Fitzharris. They have played two matches and have been successful in both.
The under 14 boys team consists of: Donal McNamee, Benjamin Walsh, Conor Roche, Mark Fitzgerald and Simon Connolly.