A very special celebration was held in Coláiste na Trócaire this week to mark the sporting and academic achievements of a number of past and present pupils. Among those who were presented with a school award was Ian O’Sullivan who is Limerick’s new World Champion.
Ian secured victory in the final of the Junior Men’s Trap event of the International Shooting sport Federation World Championship last week. Ian is a past pupil of the school having completed his Leaving Certificate two years ago waved his Gold Medal to the cheers of the whole school assembly. Mr Kevin Cusack, Principal of the school presented Ian with a special school award to mark this unique occasion. In a brief interview Ian explained how he secured victory overcoming competitors from 32 countries to take gold in the prestigious clay pigeon shooting event which was held in Granada.
Also present for this celebration were Jennifer Condon and her parents Betty and Pat who was congratulated and presented with an award for achieving an outstanding 605 points in this year’s Leaving Certificate Examination.
This special awards ceremony was unique in that it celebrated such a range of achievements of past and present pupils. Mr Cusack welcomed Joe Quaid trainer of the Intermediate camogie team and he outlined the long list of sporting achievements of both past and present pupils in recent weeks. A total of four All-Ireland Camogie titles were won, among these were the Minor All-Ireland winners with Caoimhe Costelloe as captain, also on the team was Helena Fitzgerald and Rose McMahon as trainer and selector. The Junior League and All-Ireland Junior Champions with Noreen Barry as Captain and our own Catherine Fitzgerald in goals. Emma Quaid, Catriona Neville and Bríd Hannon were also part of the team.
Also present for this special celebration were Intermediate All-Ireland winners who defeated Kilkenny by 5 points in Croke Park in a spectacular game, our past pupils on that team were Fiona Hickey (captain) Mairead Fitzgerald and Caoimhe Costeloe. Patsy Hall and Teresa Noonan who have close connections with the school were involved in training and coaching of this outstanding team.
Joe Quaid complimented the school on its huge contribution to sport in the Limerick area and congratulated all those present on their wonderful achievements. He said that achievements like those celebrated do not come without hard work and dedication on the part of pupils and teachers. He continued ‘People say dreams don’t come true – but sometimes they do, especially when people make them come true‘. Once again he congratulated the school on it’s strong sporting and academic tradition and encouraged the students to continue that tradition to the best of their ability. Finally he referred to the historic occasion which was being held in Coláiste na Trócaire, that will be remembered in the years to come.
Other outstanding sporting achievements over the Summer months included the U14 All-Ireland Ladies Football winners over Louth Roísin Ambrose, Noirín Lenihan and Joanne Foley all pupils of Coláiste na Trócaire.
All-Ireland Féile winners, the three Ambrose sisters Kate, Róisín and Meadhbh were also present for the celebration. All Ireland Féile Skills winner Seán O’Connor of second year proudly held the shield he won in Armagh. Michael Shanahan won of the U14 Shot-Put in Athlone and last but not least the Rathkeale Tug-of War Team who won the All-Ireland and U.K Open and also participated in the GEUSB Games which is a European competition.
Many of our pupils were also on the Granagh Ballingarry camogie team who won the U16 competition.
