JUNE 2010 - St. Francis College Rochestown

St. Francis College
Rochestown
10/10/09 Photo taken by Dan O’Regan
with Louis Delahunty 6th year (pilot)
St. Francis College, Rochestown, Co. Cork Tel: 021 4891417 Fax: 021 4361254 Email: rococoll.ias@eircom.net
So it's the end of another school term; classrooms
cleared, lockers emptied, lunchboxes quietly fermenting at the bottom of schoolbags and we can, after the
headlong rush of May, catch our breath and look back
on a good year.
The cultural, sporting and intellectual life of St Francis'
College has produced a broad range of achievement,
recognition, and award listed through the pages of the
RoCo report this past year. Too many to mention here..
. but the involvement of all of our sportsmen, debaters,
chess-players, artists, musicians et a1 make for much of
the social life of the school. It is also what the school
magazine is for and makes our community an arena for
growing, as well as a facility to imbibe the curriculum.
HURLING !!
Sports Day
Brother Jeremy seen at
Rochestown sports day
The Schools academic role can be taken for granted, yet
perhaps we should acknowledge how much time, energy and effort is involved on the part of all our students
and staff, and how needed and deserved holidays are.
publication! So, what can I say about debating? Well, I
guess I’m the best candidate, from our newly formed
club (Roco Debaters – an inspired name, don’t you
think!), to write this because I haven’t actually been in
an actual ‘competitive’ debate yet, so I can give an ‘outsider’s view’ (the other guy is stranded because of the
ash, lucky thing!).
Anyway. Debating, debating, debating. It may not
seem like the most popular activity in the world but
remember, the likes of President Obama plied his trade
at the podiums of many a debating club or university,
and he’s no slouch when it comes to speaking his mind!
So, debating is kinda cool! In debating, you are supported, reassured and accepted into a wonderful group
of people who never judge you (will, not harshly anyway!) and always help you along the way. They are
sometimes cruel to be kind…some crueller than others,
Connor lydon breaks pain barrier
Special thanks to Editors Fionn Boland & Evan Healy
KWP Print & Design Ph.021 4373096
We would especially like to thank Leaving Cert students Bernardo Long, Stephen Scully and Asst. Editor
Jim Spillane for all of their invaluable work and expertise during their period on the staff of the RoCo report,
and wish them and indeed, all our sixth year students
the very best for all of their futures.
At the risk of sounding like an Academy Award acceptance speech- 1 also must acknowledge the assistance
and frequent
guidance of Ms. O'Connor and Mr. Groeger upon
whose assistance the publication depends.
The Editor
It’s just like
Glee…kinda……
I have been asked to write an article about my experience at debating. You can tell how passionate I am
about it as I’m writing this on, practically, the eve of its
Summer Newsletter
From the Editor
Rochestown Debating team
and to be kind? …I’m not so sure… but we always end
up having a laugh.
Recently we went to two debates, one in Presentation
College and one in Mount Mercy Convent. The debate
in Pres was just to see what ‘proper debating’ and like.
Although mesmerised by Pres’s Massive Auditorium,
we had a good time, picked up some very useful tips,
Basketball will be starting up again in September with
all students welcome to try out for any one of our four
teams. We may not guarantee the same success but we
will have fun trying.
Award winners
Under 19 Thomas Noonan, Sean Cantwell
Under 16 Luke Murphy, Shane Kingston
David O’ Donnell, Neil Murphy
2nd Year
1st Year
Owen Connolly, Aidan Power
Rochestown Soccer
– First Years
Rochestown has its most successful year to date in soccer culminating with the first years getting to the AllIreland final in the Umbro First Year Cup.
The first years played seven games in total, winning six
of them on the way to the final including their group
games against Blarney (3-2) and Colman’s from Fermoy
(4-2). In their second round game they accounted easily
for Tarbert Comprehensive 9-2 with Kevin Flahive and
Daniel Kingston getting hat-tricks.
Colaiste Choilm, Ballincollig, were the next opponents
and after starting the game without the influential
Eoghan Daly, Rochestown won 3-2 after extra time with
Gavin Fitzgerald scoring the winner with a towering
header from George Gill’s free kick.
The team that beat Rochestown in last years Munster
Final were next and after another extra time period,
Rochestown finally accounted for a very strong CBS
Clonmel by winning 4-3 with goals from Eoghan Daly,
Kevin Flahive, Gavin Fitzgerald and Daniel Kingston
with David King very much influencing the game.
In the Munster semi-final, Colaiste Mhuire of Cobh
were the opponents in a game that Rochestown won 21 after goals from Eoghan Daly and Kevin Flahive.
Some excellent saves from Andrew Cullinane meant
that Rochestown progressed onto the Munster Final.
In the Munster Final, Rochestown started badly and
were 0-2 down at the break. However within 10 minutes of the restart, Rochestown were level through
goals from Kevin Flahive before Eoghan Daly hit the
winner from 25 yards with 10 minutes to go.
Rochestown Munster Champions!!
Easter
Concert
In the All-Ireland series, Rochestown played a strong
St.Joseph’s College, Galway in the semi-final and after
going a goal down, won 2-1 in the end with goals from
Gavin Fitzgerald and Daniel Kingston. There were very
strong performances from our back four of Niall
Fitzgerald, Luke Carroll, Gavin Fitzgerald and Adrian
Daly.
In late May. Rochestown travelled to Athlone town FC
to face soccer stronghold, St.Eunans of Letterkenny in
the All-Ireland Final. On the day, Rochestown never
played to their full potential and the limited participation of star player Eoghan Daly through injury was a
big factor. Despite going 2-0 before half time,
Rochestown battled back and got an excellent goal from
Cork player David King with 5 minutes to go.
However, time ran out and St. Eunan’s went on to win.
School Orchestra
Josh Hanlon solo performance
Great credit must go to this bunch of players as in many
of their games, they were a goal down and came back
to win, which shows great character. These players all
play for big clubs and this is a great sign for the school
along with 2 Munster Final appearances in 2 years, the
future is very much bright for soccer in St. Francis
College.
Shane Collins on drums
Patrick Croke
Kevin Power on guitar
First year soccer team
3rd & 4th Year Choir performing at Easter Concert
and had a lot of fun. The debate in Mount Mercy however, was our first ever competitive debate so everyone
was petrified! Although I was a little jealous that I hadn’t been chosen for the team, when we were ready to
start the debate, I was just as nervous as the team itself!
We were led into the Prayer Room first, where we met
the Pres boys who were also competing. They were
nice but seriously loud. The motion of the debate was
whether the Celtic Tiger had done more harm than
good. We, (the entourage), watched as they all took
their turns laughed at the bad ones and took a small rest
during the boring ones. The boys from Rochestown did
a fantastic job and were highly complemented, considering that it was our first debate.
Nerves were clearly evident, poor Ben Wall, a fine
debater, at one point looked as if he was going to pass
out as he delivered his speech in practically one breath,
Olympic style. Well done to Conor (Dunne) and Ryan
O’Connell for fending off the intense cross-examination
from, well, practically all the speakers. And, Cool
Hand Ross (O’Donoghue), a stylish debater in the making, impressed throughout. Although we didn’t win;
we a got a special mention and the chairperson of the
mount Mercy Debating Club (a young woman not to be
trifled with, well unless you can back it up with the
most robust defence), applauded our brave start into
the world of debating.
If anything, debating is like Glee – a group of kids who
join a club that the school doesn’t particularly like, but
they join anyway because they’re good at what they do.
For me the best thing about debating is that you get to
voice your opinion about just about any topic and you
are actually listened to. Plus, it gives you a massive
confidence boost!
If anyone out there has had even an inkling of a though
of joining, come along after school every Thursday to
check it out. We’ll be entering lots of exciting competitions and battles next year and we need all the strength
we can muster.
Gerald Killoran 2E
Under 14 Football
Our under 14 football team had an extremely successful
year culminating in winning the Cork Colleges A competition for the first time in many years.
The final was played in glorious sunshine in
Rathcormac against St. Colman’s Fermoy, who had narrowly defeated them earlier in the season. Rochestown
got off to a great start and got excellent scores in the
first half through Gary Hartnett, Mark Dolan, Cian
Devine and a great goal by Niall Fitzgerald. The
Rochestown backline defended tirelessly in the opening
period and the half back line of Eoghan Buckley, Kevin
Flahive and Jack Donovan were in total control. This
resulted in very few chances being created for the opposition. Rochestown were ahead at half time on a scoreline of 1-9 to 0-1 after playing with the aid of a strong
breeze.
Rochestown continued to play excellent football on the
resumption of the second half. The work rate of
Aonghus Boland and Cian Power in the half forward
line combined with the strong midfield combination of
Luke Carroll and John Cantwell continued to provide
chances for a cohesive forward line. St. Colmans upped
their performance from the first half and this was
rewarded with a goal by P.J. Dennehy in the 47th
minute. However, staunch defending by an excellent
Rochestown full back line of David Kirk, Michael
McGrath and David O’Connor never allowed St.
Colman’s to come closer than an 8 point deficit.
Sports Day
Left, Right, left
Philip Shine aims high
Rochestown finished the stronger team with Gary
Hartnett in particular providing great leadership in the
final few minutes allowing Rochestown to run out easy
winners on a score line of 3-11 to 1-3.
This was an extremely strong Rochestown panel of over
30 players from many local clubs including Nemo
Rangers, Douglas, Carrigaline, St. Michaels, Passage
and Shamrocks. This win was just reward for all of the
panels great effort from the beginning of the year with
over 25 players being used during the campaign.
By Liam Ó Murchú and Liam Sheehan.
Spontaneous show of affection by senior Rochestown students
Eoin Dolan at Rochestown Long Puck
competition
U14 county champions ! with Mr Ó Murchú and Mr. Sheehan (coaches)
4th Year 100m Final
Awards Night
Sailing 2010
The ISA 2010 Schools Team Racing Championships took place in Galway recently. The event was won by St Francis
Collage, Rochestown led by Conor Lyden, while the runners up were Scoil Mhuire, led by Emma Geary, Schull
Community College in third place, CBC, in fourth place and Presentation Boys Collage, in fifth. With 13 teams competing it was an excellent result for all the cork teams involved. The team consisting of Captain Conor Lyden,
Brendan Lyden, Dermot Lyden, Chris Phelan, Peter Stokes, Luke Slattery, Oscar Morehead and Lorcan Fidgen. “We
travelled to Galway on Friday night and competed over Saturday and Sunday. We won our Semi-final on Sunday
against Schull Community Collage, who have one the event since it began. On Sunday we came up against Scoil
Mhuire in the finals. Going into the last race of the finals it was all to sail for, with one race each. It was a tight race
until the rounding of the last mark. We are delighted with our win and are looking forward to travelling to the British
National Schools Team Racing Championships in Bough Beech, Kent at the end of June. And on to the World Team
Racing Championships. We would like to thank our sponsors Lee Garage for their generous contributions , Nuala
Lyden and Simon our coach for all the work they have put in throughout the year.
Luke Slattery 2nd Year
Academic Awards (2nd year) presented by Mr. K. McDonnell to
Ciaran Dineen, Conor Twomey, Stephen O’Callaghan, Luke Harris,
Craig o’Shea and Aidan Marnane.
Merit Awards (1st year) presented by Mr.
Sheehan to Ross O’Donoghue, Daniel
Meany, Jason Foley and Sean Walsh.
Capuchin Franciscan Award
presented by Brother Jeremy
to Robert Allen.
Merit Awards (2nd year) presented by Ms. Kelleher to Colm Connolly, Conor Walter, Louis -Marie Akiki, Luke Harris and
Aonghus Boland.
Captain Conor Lyden, Brendan Lyden, Dermot Lyden, Chris Phelan, Peter Stokes, Luke Slattery, Oscar Morehead
and Lorcan Fidgen. of Rochestown sailing team
Basketball
Rochestown College had a very successful year
on the basketball court this season winning
three of the possible four cork titles and competing in four All-Ireland tournaments where the
1st Years came closest losing in the All-Ireland
final to a very strong Killorglin team.
This season was our first year with a senior
team and although some players were playing
for the first time we were very successful.
Although losing a game in the group stages the
team showed great spirit and determination to
go on and win the schools first basketball title
for many years. Some of the highlights of the
year were the performances of Adam kouba, a
foreign student from the Czech Republic and
Sean Cantwell who was the top scorer in the
competition.
Our success continued from here with wins in
the first and second year finals. It is quite clear
that basketball has a bright future in
Rochestown as we have some very talented students in these younger classes. The season finished with an All-Ireland final appearance
where the first years lost to a very good team
despite great performances from our guards
Owen Connolly and Aidan Power who both
have bright futures in the game. We had some
great team performances throughout the year
with a contribution from a total of fourteen
players.
Rochestown u15 basketball team
Rochestown u14 basketball team
Scars Heal
Awards Night
Scars heal, wounds fade but the pain of losing you dad will never go away. The tears I cry and the pain I feel will
never go away, but even though I know your gone and I know your here in spirit and watching over me every day
and night and every time I look into the sky or when I’m feeling lonely I know your somewhere near. My life never
be the same without you here in it but I know you want me to be strong and I’ll try my best to do it. This time God
took you away too fast and made the wrong choice but he needed you for a reason and soon we’ll meet again in the
skies way up high and know one can never replace you. I’ll always love you dad and may you rest in peace. 1961 2010. Xxxxxx
Mark O’Shea, Transition Year, on the loss of his father earlier in the year
Transition Year Soccer Marathon in aid of
the victims of the Haiti Earthquake
(March 24th)
It all started with an idea a group of us, Transition Year students, had in order to raise some money for the victims
of the horrific earthquake in Haiti last January. Listening to the news and reading the newspapers of the devastation
that followed in the aftermath of this earthquake, we figured we could do something to help these people. Having
considered our options we presented our fundraising proposal to a somewhat dubious Ms Slattery!! However with
further tweaking and slight persuasion she gave us the green light. We then set up a committee with each member
being assigned a specific task. We were given a specific time schedule and so the work began in earnest.
Art Awards presented by Mr. Barrett to Andy Forsyte, Edmond O’Halloran, Sean Daly, Jim Spillane
Our classmates were very enthusiastic about the idea and most of them were eager to get involved. A lot of work
went into the organisation of the day itself. This included designing and printing the sponsor card, collecting money,
organising teams and league tables, collecting money, organising prizes and food for the day. We had great fun organising the marathon, we learned a lot about team work and of course we missed a few classes along the way also!! It
was hugely successful and enjoyable and it went off without a hitch apart from what seemed like the ever changing
teams!! The winning team were presented with some sports gear, kindly sponsored by David Meaney’s Dad. Mark
O’ Shea was our photographer for the day as well as ordering pizzas for everyone. We all agree that it was a great
experience and we learned many a lesson that will stay with us and benefit us forever. Thanks to everybody that supported us, we raised ?2,000 which we donated to the Haven Foundation and hope that this will impact positively on
the lives of the people of Haiti. We would like to thank Mr O Máthúna and Mr Greoger for their support of the event,
Ms Slattery for helping us to organise it and for her patience throughout, and to all the other teachers who helped
out on the day.
Ciarán Looney 4th Year.
Debater of the Year Awards presented by Ms. Farrelly to Ross O’Donoghue
and Ben Wall.
Student of the Year 2010, Ian Wallace, with his parents, Mr. O Mathuna
(Principal) and Mr. Michael O’Connor (Guest Speaker).
Basketball Awards presented by Mr. Barry and Mr. Lucy to Tomas Noonan, David O’Donnell, Luke Murphy, Shane Kingston, Sean
Cantwell, Neill Murphy, Eoin Connolly and Adrian Power.
Shane Collins,Daniel Coughlan, Gavin Shanihan, David Hogan, Cormac Murphy, Dillan Mc Sweeney and Mr. Lucey at Torc Waterfall,
Killarney, Co. Kerry.
Awards Night
Guest speaker Mr. Michael O’Connor, Geriatrician, presenting Aonghus
O’Drisceoil with his award for best Leaving Certificate 2009.
Junior Innovation Awards presented by Ms. Rose to Gernard Killoran, Justin Tang, LouisMarie Akiki and Mark Breen.
Academic Awards (1st year) presented by Ms. Farrelly to Leo Udaltsov, Christopher Brennan, ,
Darragh Jones, Jordan McDonnell, Rory O’Sullivan, Jack Ryan,
Mark Power, Aidan Murnane and Conor Murphy.
Merit Awards (4th year) presented by Brother Jeremy to Jack Smith, Kevin Power and Tomas
O’Donovan.
Ms. Slattery presents a cheque for 2000 euro to Ciaran Brennan and his father for the Haiti Haven Foundation on behalf
of Transition Years who organised a soccer fund raising marathon.
Soccer Awards presented by Mr. Murray to Ronan White,
Eoghan Daly and Michael Quinn.
Gaelic Football Awards presented by Mr. Hennessy to David Barrett ,David
Kirk, Jack Ronan, Arron Ward and Luke Carroll.
Merit Awards (5th Year) presented by Mr. Groeger (Deputy
Principal) to Chris Twomey, Adrian Crofts and Dharmanshu Singh.
History Awards presented by Mr. D. McDonnell to Darragh Connell and Andrew Rock.