Athletics

Our athletics team had a fantastic year! The girls were incredibly committed, training multiple times a week and putting a huge amount of effort into each session. The athletics team travelled to Rathcoffey GAA Club for the Cumann na mBunscoil Cross Countr y Event and thanks to their perseverance and determination it was a major success! We had glorious weather and great conditions for the 1200m race. Caitlin finished the race in 1 st place and Saoirse finished in 3rd place. The rest of the team also ran outstanding races which resulted in a combined overall team finish of 1st place! Everyone’s hard work really paid off and we couldn’t be prouder of every single team member. A big thank you to Mr Ruane, Ms Jacob and Ms Woulfe for their time and support – next year’s event can’t come quick enough!

We had the pleasure of coaching a very talented bunch this year with the Mercy Convent Soccer Team. Earlier in the year, back in October, we entered the Kildare 11 -a-side Primary School League for just which was only the school’s second time entering. We w ere beaten by Kill, lost narrowly to Ballymany and were comprehensive winners against Patricians of Newbridge. While we got the win in our final game, there were mixed emotions, as we had not qualified from our group. That said, we had three great days out, with huge learnings and we are already looking forward to re -entering next year. Moving onto the FAI 5 -a-side blitz over in Newbridge in March, we continued training hard at lunch times and were even able to bring some 5th class girls on board with an eye on next year’s competitions. We were able to enter two very talented teams into the blitz that represented the school brilliantly, leaving everything out on the pitches. We were up against the likes of Clane, Sallins and Kildare, and we unfortunately los t out on goal difference in order to qualify. A great year all round, however, and we are sure the girls enjoyed the ups and downs along the way! Looking forward to next year!

Mr. O’ Shea, Mr. O’ Connor & Mr. O’ Dwyer

This year we had great interest in basketball. From September to June we had a squad of 24 Sixth class girls who trained every week in St Mary’s PE Hall. This was after school on Fridays and we were very lucky to have access to the indoor full sized court.

We took part in the Cumann na mBunscol Large Schools League and had some success with wins against Presentation Maynooth and Gaelscoil Kilcock. Unfortunately this wasn’t enough to enable us progress to the semi-finals. Considering most of the girls had only taken up the sport in September they reached a very high level of skills.

They also participated in the Cumann na mBunsol Blitz on a fun day out in February in Kilcullen where they showed a huge improvement up against very strong teams.

The Sixth class team had a fantastic day thanks to Scoil Bhríde organising a local Blitz in June. They showed off their skills in their new kit and played extremely well ,coming second overall. Well done girls and hopefully you’ll continue playing in your new school next year.

It was great to have the Fifth class girls come on board just before Easter and are eagerly training in anticipation of the new season in September and we wish them every success.

A special mention for Holly Smyth, transition year student and club player who also helped out with training every Friday in St Mary’s.

Ms Smyth