Pictured above: Bernard Dunne and the Soccer team.
The St Pat’s Boys National School medal ceremony took place recently on June 28th. Bernard Dunne was a guest speaker at the event. Before starting the ceremony, a moment of silent prayer was called for parent, Tracy Stone, who had recently passed away.
The crowd of boys, their parents and a few community activists listened keenly to his words. Dunne made jokes, sometimes self-deprecating, “I know what it’s like to be knocked out in six seconds,” but inspiring too, “but I came back [from the knockout],” always encouraging the boys to enjoy themselves playing sports and not to worry about the win. He received a well deserved applause for his words.
The Principal, Robin Booth, was also a hit with the crowd, even making a few well-placed jokes. “It sounds like tubular bells,” referring to all the medals that had been handed out. He congratulated the soccer team on their final win. As each child was called up there was often a loud cheer from the proud parents.
Among the winners and heroes on that day were captain Darragh Ryan; Dylan Flood, a centre-back and man of the match; Adam Gannon, a midfielder; and Evan Kelch who scored a hattrick in every match leading up to the final, as well as a goal in the final.
Pictured above: Evan Kelch – Soccer Player of the Year with Bernard Dunne.
Images courtesy of Andy O’Rourke.
Many of the parents and grandparents attending, such as grandmother Mary O’Brien, a “driving force” in the local creche according to Booth, said that the teachers always listened to the parents making it a “top class” school or Andrew Faulkner and Jason Faulkner, a grandfather and father, who told me how it was “great” and that parents were “here for” their kids.
In addition to the soccer medals, some other winners were commended by Booth, including: Oisin Coleman who was injured “played his guts out” in hurling; Paul Kobis who “cornered every inch and took the lead” in Gaelic Football; and Caleb Healey Faulkner who won three medals on the annual Sports Day (quotes Booth).
By Kevin Mac Sharry
