St.Mary's College Galway Yearbook 2017-18 by St. Mary's College Galway

St. Maryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s College Galway Yearbook 2017-18

In April, each of the lads hoping for a place on the new Transition Year programme had to give a three minute presentation on a topic of their choice. It’s safe to say that the interview board were hugely impressed by the range, diversity and delivery of the presentations made by each of the boys. We probably should not be surprised by this as many of our students display this ability on a daily basis, sometimes right under our noses, and yet it often goes unnoticed. For instance, while compiling this Yearbook I have been struck by the contribution of many of them to the life of the College community. The photos here show a little of the work of one of them, fifth year student Jakub Szymonik, who is quiet and unassuming and will probably give out to me for this. But credit where credit is due! The ‘Typical Day’ video is Jakub’s work, and has been seen by thousands all across the globe. As is the ReelLife science video on ‘How Sound works’, produced with Alex Polchowski, for which he won fifth place out of hundreds of entries across the country. He also helped produce our Irish week, Hurling blitz and Maths Pi videos, not to mention the Erasmus+ one last year. In this Yearbook you’ll find him in the Concern Ambassadors photograph, and the BT Young Scientist one, and the Student Council. One person can indeed make a huge contribution to the College Community. It does not have to be a group collective. Luckily we have many like Jakub in the College, lads whose contribution is just as valuable, and without whom the College would not be as great a place as it is. Just like Jakub’s video is a window to St. Mary’s for many of those who have not set foot here for a while, so too this Yearbook offers an insight into one year in the life of the College. It may not be appreciated as much in the here and now bustle of modern life, but in a few years, when the memories of the craic you had is fading, it might hopefully serve to bring a smile, to remember a moment, or a face. It will transport you back through the years, and maybe help you realise that schooldays were perhaps, if not the happiest, then definitely the most carefree! Thank you to the College management without whose help and support this publication would not go to press, to all the lads who contributed and posed for photographs, and for everyone who supports it by buying a copy and ignoring the errors. Enjoy, now, and in a couple of years down the line Editor

Table of Contents

Principal’s address First year 2013 Leaving Certificate 2018 Pen Pictures LC Graduation 2017 LC 2017 Initial Destination Academics Best LC 2017 Academics Best JC 2017 Year Groups Awards Day 2017 Athletics Art Charity BT Young Scientist Hurling Mary’s Got Talent First Year Sports day Visitors Feast Day Quizzes Second Year Sports day Gaelic Football Prefects Soccer Science Week Student Council Basketball Carol Service Mary’s on Tour The Games Room Maths SciFest Other Stuff Comháirle na nÓg Staff and Farewell

4 5 6 13 14 16 17 18 22 24 29 30 32 34 36 38 39 40 42 43 44 45 46 48 49 50 51 52 54 55 56 57 58 59

Message from the Principal

Website: www.st.maryscollege.ie Phone: 091 522369 www.facebook.com/StMarysCollege

Welcome to the St. Mary’s Yearbook for 2017- 18 . Another year over and lots of successes to celebrate, summer tests underway, Junior and Leaving Cert exams starting on June 6th and other classes looking forward to summer holidays. Mr. Anthony Carey and his Yearbook team have once again captured all the main stories and highlights of this school year and we are, as always, very proud of their efforts. We are also delighted with the outstanding achievements of our students in all areas. A Yearbook, such as this, is an excellent reminder to all of us of how much is done in St. Mary’s in any given year. We would heartily recommend that all students, especially our Leaving Certs, retain these ‘reminders’ of their schooldays. The significance of these memories will increase with each passing year. Goodbye to our Leaving Cert class, we wish you well in your future endeavours. May you experience happiness and fulfilment in whatever it is you choose to do. We will rejoice, as always, in your accomplishments. Remember that there will forever be a warm welcome for you here in St. Mary’s College. Enjoy the synopsis of this past year, 2017/18, read on…. we wish all of our students, staff and their extended families a happy and healthy summer. Tom Nolan 4

First Year 2013

As a meteor crashed from the sky over a Russian city these lads were preparing for their meteoric journey through the corridors of St. Mary’s. It was a busy year as 2013 also welcomed our new Pope Francis, Clare came from nowhere to beat Cork in a replayed All-Ireland hurling final, and Wigan surprised Man City to win the FA Cup. Adele topped the charts with Skyfall while Mumford and Sons were the most popular band around, Argo took the best picture award at the Oscars while Jennifer Lawrence won best actress, but not for Catching Fire in her box office hit Hunger Games. Lincoln was the most nominated film and won Daniel Day Lewis his third Oscar. It wasn’t all new stuff though, as Mayo lost another All-Ireland to Dublin, and Manchester United took the Premiership! The picture shows the lads who started that journey. Many are still here, more have joined along the way, and others have left us. You’ll agree there have been a few changes, as you’ll see over the profile pages... First Year Gaelic Football 2013-14

First Year Soccer 2013-4

First Year Cross-Country 2013-4

First and Second year Hurling 2013-4 5

Leaving Certificate 2018 Profiles Thomas Caffrey

Taofeek Daouda-Adekola Taofeek is still mulling over whether to try his hand in a science course or a law course in University. We think he should audition for the role as the beanstalk in a pantomime, or definitely try out for Groot in Guardians of the Galaxy

This Inverin wannabee hurler, singer and hammer thrower’s infectious smile will be missed around the corridors of the College when he heads off to the continent to be an engineer. A popular senior prefect, Tom is a firm believer in last minute studying curing all evils.

Paul Arrigan

David Arzumanyan Wants to open a Chihuahua farm so that he can be bigger than his dog. David is one of the nice guys who sees a future for himself as a high-flying business executive out there in the big wide world. We reckon he’ll succeed admirably.

Paul intends to stop being a gym shark long enough to study for business after Mary’s. We reckon it has to be business as anyone who can ask for €2.50 for a torn half fiver is heading that way. When he’s not cruising Knocknacarra looking for undersized T-shirts, Paul is bench-pressing, even in his sleep.

Aaron Burke Shantalla native Aaron seems destined for a few years in a science lab in NUIG, where he can happily let his hair grow into an even taller afro. Aaron exploited his injured leg to great effect on the Erasmus trip to Romania...always watch the quiet ones we say!

Sammy Nana Sammy’s late attempt to be a rebel has led to the rumour that he has taken up football and will challenge for the Galway corner forward position this summer. Failing that he’ll take his ‘No way’ brand to the Dragon’s Den but we don’t think he’ll impress their icy stares Leon Long

Faustus Tamulis Faustus decided that he had to make a clean break from Martynas so decided to come back and have another crack at the LC. This basketball loving hammer thrower has been studying and growing like a mad thing and hopes find a third level course so as not to be back again next year

Leon is a self-confessed geek who specialises in wearing an array of scarves and churning out personal essays in English class. Loves reading and knuckle cracking, though not necessarily in that order. Hit the highlights earlier in the year as the Biology expert on the Senior Science quiz team. Destined for Law or wrestling...go figure.

Fiachra Mulkerrins Eimhin’s twin brother managed to get a head start on him this year and will be wandering the Uni corridors solo after graduation. This popular prefect will take his business degree and stroll through life handily enough, but never too far from the traintracks in Moycullen

Tebogo Madire TobAgo showed where his priorities firmly lay when he decided that shoes and jackets came before mocks. You’re always guaranteed a smile with Tebogo, followed usually by an obvious question, then another smile as reality dawns. Famous for missing even the ground once with the javelin while on athletics duty.

Leaving Certificate 2018 Profiles Paul Conneely

Daniel McDonagh

We know for a fact that our popular Head Prefect is being lined up by many mammies to marry their daughter! Paul is as steady and dependable as they come and is destined for greatness in university somewhere not too far from his beloved Moycullen. We expect him to make the Olympic badminton team , or at least manage it

Daniel has looked serious since first year, and this attitude towards his studies should see him safely follow a course of study in the third level equivalent of Hogwarts! Despite being a member of the science quiz teams over the years he’ll take his Comhairle experience into Business

Eryk Bijak

Jerry Atu

Quiet spoken Eryk is a dark horse who betrays his quiet and reserved image with a flamboyant pony-tail, and a penchant for black t-shirts and huge Docs. One of our most popular prefects Eryk is the key-master of the games room, ruling with a determined hand. Hopes to head into woodcraft after he successfully graduates.

Quiet Jerry has lepped for the College in both Triple Jump and Long jump but is more of a regular on the basketball course jumping for slams. If his basketball career goes to plan he’ll inherit a singlet with la bête noir on the back, but failing that he’ll try out for a business course somewhere near Ballybane

Kevin Hourigan

Ali Shabu Ali brought his intense approach to study back to us for another year and is now half-way through his LC course on his quest to become Dr. Ali: Super Surgeon. Before that though he intends to spend another couple of years out to search for the elusive ‘k’.

Kevin was once spotted without a grin on his face we’re told, but we’re not sure if we can believe that. This gym shark allegedly hits the weights every morning before school then survives on espressos and protein shakes. A renowned Renmore footballer and hurler he’ll blossom in his business course in Uni.

Leon Gyoh Victor’s sidekick is always trying to make others laugh, sometimes successfully. Has that cheeky grin that tells you there’s some plan brewing, but we doubt he knows what it is yet. However, we believe that will involve a lab and a science course

Avelino Assogba Lino hopes to one day open a rice farm in Farfaraway kingdom. Yet another of the Ballybane crew Avelino is studying like mad for a science course anywhere. Since he’s always injured maybe a career in basketball or soccer isn’t meant to be…but following on from this year’s MGT he could go into show-biz

Muiz Ajiboye Muiz hails from Ballybane and has his sights set firmly on a career in science, where he’ll busy himself working on the new Lynx fragrance ‘Vegeta’. He has recently managed to find a girl to calm him down and hopes that this will focus him. Firm believer that you should #trust the process

Joshua Brodricks Joshua is aiming for the West End but might have to settle for West Side. A feature on the stages of Galway this fervent Michael's man also dabbled in a bit of football for the senior team. Josh has been a feature of the choir and MGT over the years and has brought great gravitas to his prefect role.

Leaving Certificate 2018 Profiles Cian Costello –Hynes

Dion Darcy

We know he exists because there is a photograph of him, but even Attenborough would struggle to find him some days. Cian’s natural environment is Doughiska, but his sudden sprouting in height as a senior saw him become a feature between the sticks with his beloved Jimmies and in the Col-

Now that this sham has begun to grow sideways instead of upwards Dion sees his future as a kick-boxer as rather than a cyclist. Famous for playing Goldilocks when a BT Young Scientist, Dion’s cheeky smile will ensure success somewhere, preferably as Lieutenant Dion

Ralfs Liberts

Jakub Muzkya

Ralfs is bound to do well in the leaving as his examiners pull their hair out trying to read his spidery scrawl and then settle for giving an average mark. Settled then…no study needed. We were going to write this in dingbats font so he could read it. Smiley Ralfs will be successful at a business appointment someplace

Jakub was hoping to have another year in school so that he might finally get to a PE class. The strong silent type will be perfectly suited to his chosen career in accountancy or business. He’ll probably walk to College from Kside every day as usual, regardless of the weather

Dominik Irlik

Stephen Flaherty

Hail rain or snow Dominik has seldom been seen in anything other than his shirt and tie…we reckon he never gets cold. Maybe it’s his Polish background. Quiet and determined, Dominik hopes to forge a career in the science world after he leaves the hallowed halls of Mary’s

Our Mr. Action is a proponent of many sports including football, athletics and judo. In fact he’ll probably play anything that gives him red cheeks and allows him to shower and do his hair afterwards. Stephen will climb to the top of the business world, but won’t end up too far from the Jimmies

Abraham Shomefun

Joseph Downes

From a long line of Shomefun’s Abraham, despite being the youngest of his year, is someone who has tried his hand at everything and is full value for his time in Mary’s. Despite skill in Discus and Shot putt throwing he would prefer to see his future on the stage, rapping his way through maths problems.

Joseph hopes that postgraduation his backbone will become a bit stronger and help hold his head up off the desk a bit more when he’s in Uni. This Barna native will find a home in the Marine Biology world and then retire to a pub in the sticks

Lucas Hydzik

Nathan Walsh

Lucas spent ages trying to get back in to Mary’s this year as he decided what last year’s LC could do for him. He eventually took the plunge and was seen around the corridors the odd time before retiring to a study desk out there somewhere.

The other Nathan smiles his way quietly through his day dreaming about being a star for his beloved Corrib Rangers, and going on a snackbox date to discuss business and football. Hopes to wire houses or build stairs in the future, probably in Westside

Leaving Certificate 2018 Profiles Shane Kyne

Nathan Canavan

Moycullen’s finest is still hoping to get a sports scholarship to NUIG to match the one he never used in Mary’s! Hopes to open up a Subway franchise called Grotto close to home than commute in and out to Uni to study something obscure like health and safety or science

The dark haired member of the two Nathans commutes in daily from Ballybane to keep fairly quiet for the day then go home. Nathan hopes that he can make headway either in the business world or maybe he’ll light up the world as an electrician. One way or another he’ll find success we trust.

James Brennan

Michael Mongan

The man of many hair styles hopes to receive an alarm clock as a graduation gift. This might help him arrive early the odd time, especially if he gets that job as a librarian, with shelves stocked with his own books. James is full of quirky ideas, never more on display than when he managed the junior basketball teams.

Having finally got to the stage of having the three Mongan brothers in the College now we have Michael leaving…the daily stroll to Londis will never be the same. Mike swears it’ll not change but we reckon the hair gel is just going to his brain. Hopes to manage a hotel in Medtronic

Ryan Meja

Lee Shaughnessy

Master Splinter will take those sleepy eyes and suss out a whole new set of turtles for new adventures in the future. Now that he finally has found the love interest he’s been looking for for years everything’s all G so he might settle in to study for a couple of days and focus on the LC

Lee is the ultimate gas man who is neither shaken nor stirred by anything. Seriously, he just takes it on the chin every time. We believe he’s destined for a business career armed with some form of Commerce degree from NUIG

Chinaecherem Ikegwuruka

Adam Donoghue Renowned for his arsenal of chemical weaponry Adam can release little reminders of his presence almost at will. He will possibly cause problems for the world food crisis as he never stops eating. For Adam the future is unclear, some might say hazy, but that won’t bother him much

Guapacherem comes in the odd time to put everyone to shame with his athletic physicality and threepointing ability in basketball. Chinna reckons he has the best style in LC and so we foresee a future as a fashion model but we doubt he’ll have the stamina for the catwalk

Ewomazino Johnny

Jordan Enofe

Ewoma will be missed, just like it always has been for Zino over his time in Mary’s. This speed merchant has a couple of Connacht sprint titles under his belt, but could have had more if he actually trained and didn’t get cramps! The Fortnite king will settle into an armchair somewhere after graduation and survive.

Jordan is a man of many talents, and can tie you, and himself, in knots at indoor football. He’s a bit tiny for basketball but that never stopped him. Jordan is so relaxed we sometimes think he’ll end up sleep walking around muttering Chiwowo indiscriminately to strangers in his native Renmore

Leaving Certificate 2018 Profiles Matthew Walsh

David Warde

Matthew will be suited to a career in camouflage when he finally, much to his dismay, leaves St. Mary’s. He is capable of signing in (late of course), going to his locker, but then mysteriously blending magically into the background.

David is a man who definitely shuns the limelight. Well respected by his peers and teachers he prefers to just carry on super quietly with his work, and we reckon is forever on the quest to bring his 625 to a business course somewhere from Westside

David Stoica

Henok Dems

Shetz shocked us all with his Oscar winning performance in this year’s Mary’s Got Talent. Despite little practice he played the role of a student perfectly. Apparently, all we could find out about his future is that it would involve white poodles, but not back home in Romania, unless he’s sent there. That or a business degree!

Usually quiet mannered and reserved Henok sprang to life in this year’s MGT yeah yeah! Although he probably won’t settle for a career in a Chemistry lab he will definitely be at an appointment when it comes to attending his first lecture. His Ethiopian genes might see him blossom on an athletics track yet

Liam Lydon

Paul Croitoru

Liam hopes to go into mug design back out beyond in his native Killanin. There he’ll become the village’s leading Agricultural Science expert and entrepreneur, specialising in the making of exotic tools for tractors after what we trust will be an eventful apprenticeship

Michael Maloney

Fast-talking Paul hopes to launch an attempt on the Guinness world record for number of words per second. This pocket rocket may be diminutive of stature but he packs a serious punch, one that gets both his pulses racing.

Victor Mbamara

Redheads are supposed to be fiery but we can safely say Michael never got that memo. As quiet as they come we reckon that following on from a successful stint in GMIT he’ll go on to manage Trump Towers in Galway. Failing that he’ll possibly audition for a role in a Harry Potter remake

The future rapper El Clappo will be found dancing in the corridors in some educational establishment in the future. Stylish Victor has a penchant for ties and loves to see them on display. ‘Studying’ all the sciences we reckon he’ll be inventing something before long

Emmanuel Ohagwu

Aslan Mohammed

Emmanuel’s dark sultry looks belay his Italian background, or so he tells us. He commutes in from the Headford road daily with a bag full of Beeskets for his lunch, and the odd school book. Probably intends to spend a lot more time after graduation trying to perfect his threepointer skills, using Mechanical Engineering as a guide

Aslan will return to Narnia one day and impress his host of female Snapchat friends with his impressive dance moves. Never one to be seen without a basketball in his hands we wonder if he’ll still be bouncing it around the corridors in Uni? We’ll see if he can ‘hack it’ as a Biomedical Scientist

Leaving Certificate 2018 Profiles James Browne

Dennis Onuoha

Another guy who hopes that he might receive an alarm clock to get him to his first job a bit earlier. Having said that he’ll only make it on time if he doesn’t have to saunter past Tesco, as the attraction can be substantial. Hopes to open a barber shop, or more likely head into the family business

Dennis put his athletics career on hold at the end of this year in order to focus on getting his hat at just the right angle for Mary’s Got Talent, and we’re happy to say he was successful. With a smile almost as wide as his face Dennis will find success out there someplace.

Uros Rakic

Alexandre Renaut

Uros took time out from his role in Despicable Me (Serbian edition) to haunt the corridors and classes of Mary’s. Seriously he’s like a ghost as you never seem to notice him until he’s beside you. He’s a nice guy and will be well suited to appearing unannounced in the corridors of some third level establishment peddling homeopathy

Now that his English has improved sufficiently that we understand what he’s saying we’ve enjoyed Alex’s quirky sense of humour. Unfortunately, his French has gone in the other direction and Ms Geoghegan no longer understands him. Unlike Alex we see a bright future, finding fame on Youtube, working off his own software programme

William Onyenweson

Ethan O’Brien

We think William might have finally stopped growing, but probably not. This huge basketball fan was shockingly proud to make the Western region team and hopes one day to be fit enough to rule the court as an NBA draftee Not short of a brain cell or two behind that smile he’ll be a hit organising events in Uni

Farming fan Ethan hopes to use his DCG skills to design a new breed of tractor, one whose wheels are capable of perfect 180s. After whatever mechanics apprenticeship he completes we see him heading off to audition for the vacant Paul Walker role in Fast and Furious 15 (or something): Ploughers version

Liam Gwilliam

Cormac Kay

This happy chap always has a gleeful and cheery smile to greet his teachers. Loves business and really hopes to become and entrepreneur when he leaves the College. Through that he’ll hatch some strange plan to make his first million and come back and spend it on refurbishing Mary’s

Cormac is currently busy having his hair done and trying to organise his back garden for the debs. We reckon he’ll be an entrepreneur, a bit like Dell boy, and will get you anything you want. Has shown remarkable survival abilities during his time in the College. Will go down in History

Conor Delaney

Collins Williams

Conor hopes to take his mantra of chillax to a job in Louis Copeland. There he’ll probably pass the day combing his hair, keeping an eye on the mirror and looking for a toilet. This ‘happy guy’ will saunter through life living it contentedly by his standards

The man with two surnames decided that he wanted to focus on his LC and can now apparently be found stuck to a study desk in the Library. Quiet, peace-loving Collins just want to get that 625 and hope that he filled out his CAO form correctly.

Leaving Certificate 2018 Profiles Tornike Dolenjashvily

Ian Kennedy

Tony Dolen will be his stage Irish name as he aims to not just take part but to take over McGregor’s MMA crown. When he’s not shaving, Tony follows a strict diet and trains like a mad thing, but despite this he always seems to be injured, after winning world medals of course. Heading for a Strength and Conditioning course of course

We think Ian went on a round the world trip in February sometime and has yet to find his way back. If he is found can you contact the office please. Always immaculately dressed we reckon he could be the poster boy for the Mary’s uniform going forward. Will probably found behind a computer somewhere

Brooklyn Gill The original Wesside (sic) smart boy will find himself managing a hotel and wandering corridors singing to his heart’s content somewhere interesting, of that we have no doubt. After Easter he went MIA, as he decided to leave the soccer pitches behind and settle for a dose of serious study. He’s been in remission since.

Best of luck to all of our graduating class of 2018. We wish you success with your exams and your chosen careers, long life and happiness.

SECOND YEAR 2014-5

LC Graduation 2017 Our class of 2017 graduated on a sunny day at the end of May. Following mass in the College Chapel, Graduation Certificates were awarded by Key Note speaker Jeffrey Lynsky They then retired to our excellent meal and cake in the canteen. Check where they ended up on our destinations page

LC Class of 2017: Initial Destination

Remon Abdur - PLC in Computers & IT in GTI * Sagheer Ahmed - Computer & Software Dev. in GMIT* Raoof Bazazadegan -Year out…working in Louis Copeland* Kamil Boczkowski - Working locally*Paul Byrne - Access programme in NUI Galway* Craig Chikarakate - PLC in Business in GTI* Adam Cohen - PLC in Business in GTI* Aaron Cooke - Commerce in NUI Galway* Remy Corbiere - Mechanical Engineering in GMIT* Séan Croke-Commerce in NUI Galway* Blake Cunniffe - PLC in GTI* Hubert Dabrowski - Mechanical Engineering in GMIT* Cathal Day-Lavelle - PLC in GTI * Gabriel Dossen- PLC in GTI* Damian Drzewiecki- PLC in Motor Mechanics in Galway C. C * Alan Duggan- Business in GMIT * Darren Dunne –Lynch - PLC in Business in GTI * Ethan Fahy - PLC in GTI * Andras Fejer - Computer applications in DCU * Brendan Flanagan - PLC in GTI * Dean Frawley - PLC in GTI * Daniel Gibbons - Access programme in NUI Galway * Leo Gibbons - PLC in Motor Mechanics in Galway C. C * Mark Gilligan Actuarial & Financial Studies in UCD * Matthew Griffin - PLC in GTI * Jamie Guidera O'Neill - PLC in GTI * Shane Hastings - Computer Science in NUIG * Dylan Hayes - PLC in Business in GTI * Bryan Healy - Mechanical Engineering in GMIT * Daniel Healy - ARTS in NUIG * Niall Hession - PLC in Film & TV in GTI *Aaron Hrehorow - PLC in Soccer - Performance in GTI * Lucas Hydzik - Repeating in St Mary’s * Patrick Ipacs - Working in Hungary * Asraful Islam - Working locally * Jaroslaw Janas - Computer Science in NUIG * Rohin Joseph - Biomedical Science in NUIG * Peter Juhasz - ARTS in NUIG * Nordine Kago - Science in GMIT * Vainqueur Kayombo - Computer Science in UL * Dillon Kelly - Business in GMIT * Sean Kenny—Biopharmaceutical Science in GMIT * Michael Kerin - PLC in Social studies in GTI * Hari Kharel - Computer Science in Edinburgh University * Andrejs Kozlovs - Mathematical Science in NUIG * Wiktor Kozlowski - Marine Science in NUIG * Jamie Lennon-Coyne - PLC in GTI *Francely Lomboto - PLC in GTI * Maik Lumpp - Working in Germany * Cian Lynam - PLC in Film & TV in GTI* Gadzanani Malaba - PLC in GTI *Adrian Maxim - Business in GMIT * Josh McNamara_ Business in GMIT * Jordan Millar - Civil Law in NUIG * Tommy Molloy - PLC in Soccer - Performance in GTI * Matthew Mooney - Science in NUIG * Arturas Mozuraitis -PLC in Motor technology in Galway CC * Diarmuid Mulkerrins - Agriculture & Environmental management in GMIT * Dean Murphy – Curran - PLC in Film & TV in GTI * Daniel Naughton - PLC in Social studies in GTI * Dylan O' Boyle - PLC in Business in GTI * Michael O' Connor - PLC in Business in GTI * Jeroen O' Flaherty - Financial Maths & Economics in NUI Galway * Eltahir Osman - Medicine in Sudan *Bojan Petrovic - Access programme in NUI Galway * Jordan Powell-Lavin - PLC in Business in GTI * Joshua Pyne - Commerce in NUI Galway * Shane Rafftery - Commerce in NUI Galway *Enzo Rodrigues- Working with his Father * Martynas Sakalauskas - Mechanical Engineering in GMIT * Kwadwo Sarpong - Science in GMIT * Ali Shabu - Repeating in St Mary’s * Jason Sherlock - Access programme in NUI Galway * Gary Sullivan - PLC in Emergency Care Services in GTI * Stephen Sullivan - PLC in Business in GTI * Faustas Tamulis - Repeating in St Mary’s * Sealtiel Toko - Civil Engineering in GMIT * Patryk Tracz - Computers in Institute of Tech Blanchardstown * Shane Traynor-Canavan - Working locally * Ryan Traynor-O'Toole - PLC in Business in GTI * Jaroslaw Treda -Working in the family business * Kevin Vahey - Year out before college----working locally * Kevin Walsh - PLC in Business in GTI * Dion Walshe - PLC in Soccer - Performance in GTI * Patryk Waniak PLC in Motor technology in Galway CC * Ian Wynne - Commerce in NUI Galway 14

LC 2017 initial Destination Statistics LC Initial Destination 2017 30 30

No. of students

25 24 20

10 9 5

3 0 University

PLC

Repeat

Other

Destination Over 80% of our graduating class of 2017 are still in full time education with 48% already following a degree or diploma course of their choosing. From the remainder, 4% are back repeating their exams with a view to getting a place in college next year while more are attending PLC courses, many with a view to enhancing their skill set before heading to college.

Percentage Destination post LC 2017 Other, 11 Repeat, 4 University, 30

University PLC, 37

IT, 19

PLC Repeat

Other

Academics: Best Leaving Certificate Results 2017

Well done to the Leaving Certificate Students from the class of 2017, but especially to each of those featured above who scored in excess of 450 points in their Examination, and who, as we can see on the Initial Destination page are now following a variety of paths. Special congratulations to Mark Gilligan whose excellent 613 points saw him receive a prestigious scholarship to UCD. Top: Eltahir Osman, Rohin Joseph, Aaron Cooke, Ali Shabu, Andras Fejar Middle: Mark Gilligan, Jordan Miller, Jeroen Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Flaherty, Shane Hastings, Jaroslaw Janos Bottom: Andrejs Kozlovs, Hari Kharel

Best Junior Certificate 2017

Congratulations to the boys pictured here, each of whom achieved a minimum of eight Higher Level honours grades in their JC 2016. Shane Folliard and Pedro Gil Quaresma were the outstanding student amongst them

Top: Shane Folliard, Tyler Molyneux, Jordan Palmer Agbontaen, Matthew Healy, Cillian Flanagan Second row: Andrei Titilincu, Eamonn MacDonnacha, Michael Lukyanov, Hubert Matuszewski, Zalan Nemeth Third Row: Jakub Szymonik, Alex Polchowski, Sai Shreyas Gujulla, Evan Harte-Conroy, Pedro Gil Quaresma Bottom: Abhi Sangani, Paul Kelly

Fifth Year

Front Row: Muhammed Suhari, Carlos Calero Diaz, Andrei Titilincu, Brian Martin, Zalan Nemeth, Sai Shreyas Gujulla, Bamlak Belay, Seán Nevin, Jakub Szymonik, Michael Lukyanov, Eámonn MacDonnacha, Fergal Byrne

Second Row: Jose Poblaciones, Eoin Gaillat Ciarán Corcoran, Eimhin Mulkerrins, John Flaherty, Samuel Bomba, Hubert Matuszewski, Ola Ogbebor, Tadhg Faherty, Matthew Healy, Evan Harte-Conroy, Harold Valionis

Third Row: Morgan O’Callaghan, Enoch Abiodun, Emmanuel Awoponle, Tyrone Ezeogu, Elijah Alliowe, Des Costello-Hynes, Adrien Grenson, Tyler Molyneux, Blake Cummins, Luke Flaherty, Jason McDonagh, Lucky Sila, Samuel John

Back Row: Jordan Palmer Agbontaen, Jordan O’Connell, Leo Sesay, Jack Gavin, James Kebana, Shane Folliard, Daniel Kennedy, Dylan Spelman, Adam Forde, Rykelmy Rodrigues, Daniel King

Absent: Alex Cleary, Cormac Croke, Cillian Flanagan, Liam Griffin, Liam Keady, Colin Scanlon, Sheriff Subair, Dean Watson 18

Third Year

Front Row: Patryk Brzezinski , Dylan Caffrey, Taimoor Abid, Jack Flaherty, Romeo Pecha, Colm Gwilliam, Cian Fahy, Sam Cooke, Sean Chikarakate, Dylan Traynor-Canavan, Rhys Plower Second Row: Michael Robinson, Dylan McDonagh, Patryk Jastrzebski, Oisín Dillon, Cian Mulrooney, Nabil Latidoye, Iwo Kania, Andrew Costello, Conor Croke Third Row: Martin Mongan, Nathan McNeena, Alex Pitman, Jack Morkan, Eneko O’Rourke, Bogdan Tabalae, Owen Talabi, Joshua Atairu, Ahmed Aly, Mark O’Boyle, Colm Downes Fourth Row: Eanna Davoren, James Bradley, Darragh Kyne, Jack Molloy, Kevin Walsh, Prince Idemudia, Adrian Asogu, Carl Thornton-Byrne, Micea Tabalae, Szymon Kryla, Oryn Quinlan, Bernard Sarpong Back Row: Vincent Idemudia, Ihtasham Ahmed, Ryan Ward, Aaron Dossen, Edmond Mahoro, Mobhi Ikegwuruka, Damien Kiely, Usman Shahid, Patrick Nnadi, Max Zaczynski, Russel McPherson Absent: Conor McDonagh, Sammy Hamar, Kallum Tobin, Jamie Burke, Cameron Fitzgerald, Michael Harlowe, Patrick Levalds, Anthony Sultanov, Michael Bernard Ward

Second Year

Front Row: Dean Walshe, Bogdans Dubrovskis, Mohamed-Hanif Latif, Adrian Mamali, Izzi Cordova, Sean Maloney, Prodige Mendes, Cyrus Palmer Agbontaen, Eoghan King, Kevin Umude, Aaron Fahy, Filip Rduch, Seweryn Terka, Maciej Luczak

Second Row: Hassan Diarrasoubu, Victor Asiegu, Ify Asogu, Christopher Onuoha, Solomon Shomefun, Swabur Mabasa, Abel Kochekadan, Max Marselek, Ryan Thornton Byrne, Ramon Fietz, Jakub Szoja, Jamie Pizzey, Michaelangelo Ojeani, Gavin O’Sullivan, Mario Meruta

Third Row: Fadl Daouda Adekola, John Atairu, Christian Lally, Carlos Virginio, Bartek Pawlik, Artemiy Vershinin, Aaron Canavan, Fabio Balaz, Sammy Leboukh, Tom Hiney, Max Nosewicz, Evan Lynam, Obinna Ohakwe

Fourth Row: Jonathan Ekoh, Paulius Grabliauskis , Jack Hennigan , Jamie Canavan, Paul Kearns, Sandrius Keras, Emmanuel Abiodun, Seán Hopkins, Paul Irmudomon , Cormac Hannon, Olaf Kania, Omar Hammam, Leuchia Gyoh

Back Row: Aaron Groarke, John O’Loughlin, Lee Farragher, Colin Forde, Joseph Arosomade, Gradi Lomboto, Joshua Casey, Peter Irmudomon , Kacper Borszcz, Zaid Abu Diak, Rakib Rana, Darrel Ngodju, Zach Mooney Absent: Destiny Newman, Martin Ward, Michael Hydzik, Sean Keady

First Year 2017-18

Front Row: John Mongan, Edvinas Zakarauskas , Javier Ramos Gil, Keene Greer, Seán McDarby, Leon Bartolovic, Tom Browne, Ali Stewart, Jan Macatangay, Liam Murphy, Ibrahim Ijaz, Francis Mahon, Dan Carey, Joshua Osifo, Oktavio Neziri

Second Row: Hedris Ofili, McEdison Sido, Lee Corcoran, Shafy Mohammed, Caleb John, Chukwudi Nwaonukwube, Donnie Meehan, Marco Heanue, Mark Kearns, Emmet D’Arcy, JJ Walsh, Francisco Mongan, Luke McKenna, Jay Martyn, Nasir Ahmed, Nicholas Faraon

Third Row: Robert Alexandru Bobric, Favour Odion, Kyle Rossborough, Karol Zawistowski, Evan Fox, Jack Walsh, Isshak Boussoufa, Matthew Lukyanov, Kristian Bubanov , Alexander Coveney, Jesse Ezeogu, Ryan Tierney, Seán Stafford, Daniel Zeps, Daniel Kolcs, Zedlynyl Penas, Paul Hamilton

Back Row: Simon Browne, Daniel Wilson, Kevin Tierney, Evan Francis, Darcy Mbiajeu, Adam Rubonecka, Dovydas Balsys, Divine Okeke, Cian O’Flynn, Gabriel Badalov, John Osifo, Barry Forde, Diarmuid Davoren, Mark Bradley, Evan Warde, Michael Jiminez, Aleksandras Petraitis, Francis Ward

Absent: Gavin Berry, Conor Horan, Ben Carew, Matthew Connolly, Stephen Greaney, Markuss Kleins, Cathal O’Grady Corcoran, Kealan Grogan, Rodger Sarpong, David Whyte, Naoise Walsh 21

Awards Day 2017 Our annual Awards Day took place at the end of May before a packed study hall. Academic and ’Spirit of Mary’s’ awards were given out by Principal Mr. Tom Nolan and the respective year heads. The Spirit of St. Mary’s Award are given to students who have contributed positively towards the school and their classmates throughout the year, while the academic awards are presented to those who performed at the top level of their class consistently during the year. The crowded study hall, eagerly awaiting their awards

First Year Academic Award Winners

Third Year Academic Award winners

Aaron Fahy, Olaf Kania, Gavin O’Sullivan

Michael Lukyanov, Hubert Matuszewski, Pedro Gil Quaresma

Third Year ‘Spirit of Mary’s Award winners First Year ‘Spirit of Mary’s’ Award winners

Blake Cummins, Enoch Abiodun, Cillian Flanagan

Conor Drury, Paul Kearns, Aaron Groarke, Martin Ward Fifth Year Academic Award Winners Paul Conneely, Thomas Caffrey, Aaron Burke

Second Year Academic Awards Dylan Caffrey, Eanna Davoren, Jack Molloy

Second Year ‘Spirit of Mary’s’ Awards

Fifth Year ‘Spirit of Mary’s’ Award Winners

Romeo Pecha, Mircea Tabalae, Damien Kiely

Avelino Assogba, Eryk Bijak, Nathan Canavan

Awards Day 2017 Leaving Certificate Academic Award Winners Mark Gilligan, Jeroen O’Flaherty, Shane Hastings

Leaving Certificate ‘Spirit of Mary’s’ Award Winners Josh Pyne, Dion Walshe

Sports Stars of the Year

Senior: Diarmuid Mulkerrins

Junior: Paul Kelly

Award winners with their year-heads

Athletics—Combined Events and Cross-Country Combined Events

Connacht Combined Events Championships 2017 Back: Henok Dems, Dennis Onuoha, Patrick Nnadi, Stephen O’Flaherty, Zino Johnny, Joshua Brodricks Front: Max Marselek, Kallum Tobin, Cyrus Palmer Agbontaen, Hassan Diarrassoubu, Ify Asogu

This season’s Connacht Combined Events Championships saw an 11 strong Mary’s team head east to the excellent indoor facilities at Athlone IT to compete. There was a huge entry in each competition and the lads had their work cut out to achieve success. Despite this, each and every one of our athletes performed admirably, with every one finishing in the top ten of their event. Medal winners on the day included Cyrus Palmer Agbontaen who was third in the Minor (U-14) competition, Patrick Nnadi who finished as third Junior (U-15), while Zino Johnny and Henok Dems both succeeded in qualifying for the All-Ireland finals when finishing 4th in their respective Inter (U-17) and Senior (U-19) competitions

Cross-Country

Minor Cross-country 2018 Back: Gabriel Badalov, Dovydas Balsys, Ryan Tierney, Jay Martyn, Evan Francis, Chukwudi Nwaonukwube, McEdison Sido, Paul Hamilton Front: Daniel Zeps, Darcy Mbiajeu, Seán McDarby, Dan Carey, Mark Bradley, Ben Carew, Marco Heanue, Caleb John

Unfortunately, the weather played havoc with even the cross country this year as we saw the usual courses waterlogged and so faced postponement of the South Connachts not once, but twice. Then to compound things when they were eventually run on the Swamp course we could were unable to send all our teams due to the mocks! Nevertheless, both teams that competed did qualify for the Connacht finals, the minors, led home by Darcy and Evan, finished third, while the seniors slogged their way to a second place finish. However, when it came time to travel north to Sligo the weather once again played up and we found ourselves unable to compete due to the treacherous road conditions. Not our year!! Senior Cross Country 2018 Fiachra Mulkerrins, Stephen Flaherty, Joshua Brodricks, Kevin Hourigan, Henok Dems

Cross Country Action from the South Connacht Cross Country Championships held in the Swamp in Mid-February

All-Ireland Athletics Champions The Royal College of Science Cup was first presented in 1916 to the province that scored the most points to win the Senior Team Competition at the Irish School’s Track and Field Championships. The school that amassed most points for their province got to hold on to the cup for the year. In 1954 the rules were changed slightly and the cup was presented not to the winning province but instead to the school that had amassed the highest score of points. As it transpired that honour went to a Galway school, Garbally College, and it returned a further three times to the great St. Jarlath’s College teams of 1972, 1973 and 1975. Since then it has never returned to Connacht until St. Mary’s College created a piece of College history by taking the cup across the Shannon for the first time in 43 years following an excellent day’s athletics in Tullamore. St. Mary’s have been the dominant school in Connacht Schools athletics for the past number of years and following the most recent championships held at Athlone IT they are current holders of the Senior (U-19), Intermediate (U-17) and Junior (U-15) best school team shields, while narrowly missing out on the Minor (U-14) title by a single point when finishing second. Indeed, they have now won the senior team title for 11 years in a row, and the Intermediate and Junior titles for 7 and 6 years in succession respectively. This has ensured the status of Best Overall Boys School for those 11 years, an achievement to which many students, both current and former, have contributed. Having amassed so many Connacht titles a plan was put into place over the past two years to make an attempt at winning a national title, and this year saw that dream finally come true. Mary’s qualified athletes in 31 events from the Connacht finals, including 13 events at Senior level. Nine points are awarded for a win in any event, with second securing 7 and so on down to eight place in a sliding scale. With so many qualified athletes the athletics coaches set about convincing their athletes that although they may not win an individual medal they may help the team effort by finishing in the top eight to secure a point for the team. To a man they bought into the idea and so the College playing grounds have been a hive of activity for the past few weeks as hurdlers, hammer throwers, sprinters and triple jumpers trained to perform to the best of their ability in the quest for those elusive points. The senior team has a couple of dedicated athletes from GCH, for instance team captain and top class 400m runner Shane Traynor Canavan, but the rest are those whose athletics prowess lies in other fields. As a point in case, Diarmuid Mulkerrins, from Moycullen, is a multiple National Champion and World medallist in his sport of Handball, Gabriel Dossen is the Irish Junior Champion Boxer who hit the headlines when winning a bronze at the World Boxing Championships in Russia before Christmas, while Martynas Sakalauskas and Faustas Tamulis are Irish Basketball medal winners with the College Senior Basketball team. This eclectic team came together as one and focused all their considerable athletic ability into a single goal, and by the time the last event of the day, the Senior 4x400m relay, came along the College knew that they had created a piece of history by capturing the College of Science Cup for the first time ever. That 4 x 400m then provided the icing on the cake, as Shane brought his relay team from fourth place on the final changeover to a within whisker of first, making up almost six seconds in a storming run to finish 2 seconds behind the winners from in second place. Shane had earlier experienced the disappointment of finishing 4 th in the individual 400m, although his personal best time of 49.58s should be enough to ensure selection for the Irish Junior team going forward, so when he crossed the line to secure a coveted medal the response was electric. He was immediately surrounded by his teammates, and all of the younger athletes from the College. Indeed it was the example of one of those athletes, first year Jason Lydon, securing a bronze medal in the Minor Shot Putt, that set the standard for the day, and it was only right and fitting that each student shared in the excitement of the winning senior team as the famous old cup was presented to them on the podium. Also amongst those who were first at hand to congratulate the boys were the coaching team of Belvedere College in Dublin who have set the standard in this competition, winning 15 of the last 16 cups. As mentioned, the senior team amassed a hugely impressive total of 49 points with the team members who helped reach this total being; Eimhin Mulkerrins (4 th Senior Walk), Gabriel Dossen (5th 400m Hurdles, 7th Triple Jump, 2nd 4 X 400m), Diarmuid Mulkerrins (5th 2000m Steeplechase, 2nd 4 x 400m Relay), Martynas Sakalauskas (4th Hammer, 6th 4x100m Relay), Faustas Tamulis (5th Hammer, 6th 4 x 100m Relay), Shanet Traynor Canavan (2nd 4 x 400m Relay, 4th 400m, 6th 200m), Ryan Traynor O’Toole (2nd 4 x 400m Relay, 4th 400m Hurdles), Henok Dems (6th 4x100m relay), Abraham Shomefun (6th 4 x 100m Relay) Due to the combined efforts of the younger athletes on the day St. Mary’s College actually emerged as runners up for the overall School Trophy, finishing with 75.5 points behind the excellent 834 points of a very strong Thurles CBS team. All in all it was a fantastic day of athletics, which saw a number of other Connacht medallists, and a host of broken records, indicating that the standard in schools athletics is improving constantly. However, it is a standard that the St. Mary’s College athletics teams will continue to aspire towards, and hopefully the efforts of the current, now National Senior Champions, will inspire those coming behind them to emulate their feat.

All-Ireland Athletics Scenes from the historic day in June when we won the Presidentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Cup as All-Ireland Senior Athletics Team champions

Athletics—Track and Field

The season began in earnest at the South Connacht Finals, which were held over two days, the younger age groups in Dangan, followed by the older ones in Athlone. The goal of these is, as always to qualify as many athletes as possible for the Connacht finals, so as to give us the best chance of winning in the shield competitions. Once more, we achieved our goal and a sizeable contingent of athletes made their way to Athlone once again for the Connacht finals. Another long day in Athlone saw the large contingent of 46 Mary’s athletes emerge victorious as the Overall Best Boy’s school for the 12th year in succession, but we had to fight for every single point on a day of excellent athletics. We succeeded in winning the Minor (u-14) and Junior (u-15) best school shields, while narrowly missing out by a single point in the Intermediate (u-17) shield and also finished runners-up to a brilliant Summerhill Sligo team in the Senior (u-19) shield. Individually there were some great performances form the Mary’s boys with a few new Connacht Champions to add to the roll of honour. In the minor boys event the first winner was John Osifo who took the 200m title. Not to be outdone his brother Joshua followed up with gold in the 100m. The first years were on fire as JJ Walsh next captured gold ahead of his teammate Artemiy Vershinin in the Junior Hammer. Another Junior Connacht Champion was Adrian Mamali, whose final jump in the Triple Jump just carried him ahead of teammate Max Marselek. The other winners on the day were the Intermediate 4 x100m relay team of Dylan Traynor Canavan, Patrick Nnadi, Abraham Shomefun and Zino Johnny. There were silver medals for seniors Eimhin Mulkerrins (3k walk), Faustus Tamulis (Hammer) and Thomas Caffrey (Discus), for inter athlete Max Zacynski (Javelin) , for Gavin O’Sullivan (1.2k Walk), Solomon Shomefun (Shot Putt) and Cyrus Palmer Agbontaen (Javelin) in the Junior age group and finally for the minor relay team featuring the Osifo brothers along with Ryan Tierney and Chukwudi Nwaonukwube. Bronze medals were secured by Henok Dems, Kevin Hourigan, Bernard Sarpong, Abraham Shomefun, Zaid Abu Diak, Ryan Tierney and Max Marselek. 28

Art in the College Under the watchful eye of Ms Anja Sammon the walls of the College, especially in the study hall , have been gradually converted into brighter more vibrant areas. Well done to all the lads who helped, particularly those in the Friday afternoon art club

Charity This year’s annual Christmas Charity drive was one of the most successful for a number of years as the students and staff of the College gathered to support one of our own. Aoibheann’s Pink Tie is the national children’s cancer charity, and it was the group chosen by the family of leaving Certificate student Cailum Fitzgerald whose young brother Richard was tragically diagnosed with DIPG, a fatal form of cancer, earlier in the year. Each and every student was touched by this story and pulled out all the stops to raise as much as possible for the cause, eventually gathering over €9000 in the short two week Christmas period. As in previous years our students and staff found themselves going from door to door in their neighbourhoods selling lines and getting sponsorship, collecting for the charity auction, selling raffle tickets, participating in the charity day fun events and carol singing (shouting!) in Shop Street. The charity is now in its seventeenth year and with the overall total fast approaching the quarter million euro mark the sense of ownership and connection with other students over the years is immense. It is an achievement that every single student should take pride in, as helping others less fortunate should always be a priority in life. The main Charity drive was not the only beneficiary of the hard work and benevolence of our students as we also participated in a couple of other events over the year. Most recently a group of hardy students and teachers rose early to participate in the Darkness into Light walk for Pieta House, Concern fasters collecting substantial sponsorship and supporting a very worthy cause. Earlier in the year our Concern Ambassadors helped organise College Concern Ambassadors Kakub Szymonik, and participated in the 24 James Kebana and Eimhin Mulkerrins with their hour fast, again raising a huge cheque for over 700 euro collected during the fast amount of money. They also ran other fund raising ventures, including a great competition to guess the number of sweets in the Darkness into Light jar!! 30

Charity Day 2017

BT Young Scientist 2018 St. Mary’s is creating a bit of tradition of entering the BT Young Scientist and this year was no exception. All in all we entered six projects, with two of them being selected as participants in the finals in January. Over 2000 projects tried to make it to the finals this year so to be selected in the final 400 was a great success. ‘ An Investigation into the disengagement of Galway Teenagers in Politics’ by Morgan O’Callaghan and Hubert Matuszewski drew on their extensive work with Dáil na nÓg and Comhairle na nÓg, and attracted the attention of a number of well known politicians while at the exhibition. Meanwhile, ‘How far will you go? Using impulsivity to predict gambling instincts with a modified UPPS-P test’ was the interestingly titled project of Michael Lukyanov and Fergal Byrne. This was brilliantly presented and won a prestigious Highly Commended award from the judges. Along with our other entrants, the lads spent a total of three nights in Dublin, fully immersing themselves in the whole atmosphere of the BTYS, attending the discos and getting to know a BT Young Scientists 2018: host of other like-minded students from all corners of the country. It Eamonn MacDonnacha, Brian Martin, Hubert was an experience they will never forget. Matuszewski, Michael Lukyanov, Alex Polchowski, Jakub The B.T. Young Scientist was definitely a Szymonik, Fergal Byrne and Morgan O’Callaghan

memorable experience. Not only could I pump ambition into a feasible project, but I also got to display it in the RDS in Dublin and meet an array of like-minded people. Going up there, even without a project, is great, but having a good project which succeeds in getting through to the finals is incredible. I would strongly recommend others to try to enter Hubert Matuszewski

The BT Young Scientist Exhibition of 2018 was Hubert and Morgan engage in a bit of canvassing with Seán Kyne TD, definitely a major highlight of my year. It was Minister for Health Simon Harris and Senator Gerard Craughwell a unique experience to me as I had competed in other science exhibitions before, like Scifest , but BT was very different for the better. Of over 2000 projects, being chosen to present ours was already rewarding enough for me. Going on to receive a highly - commended award (even after missing one of the judges and making my partner Fergal handle it by himself) was amazing as our hard work had been recognized and rewarded. Without a doubt BTYSE is worth trying again and again as each year is full of new people to meet, and new projects to explore. The work you do on your project from first entering in September and presenting in January is an overall great experience. I'll definitely never forget my time as a BT young scientist Michael Lukyanov

Michael and Fergal 32

Morgan and Hubert

BT Young Scientist Visit Some scenes from the Maryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s visit to the BTYS in January

Hurling The hurling fraternity in the College were easily the busiest bunch of players in the College this year as they piled their trade in numerous blitzes and competitions across the season. Furthermore, under the watchful eyes of Mr. Enda Mulrooney and Mr. Darragh Kerrigan they seemed to be always taking up some gym, or alley, or pitch perfecting their skills.

First/Second Year Hurlers: Back: Joshua Casey, Ify Asogu, Josh Osifo, Paul Kearns, Seán Stafford, Aaron Groarke, Jay Martyn, Colin Forde, Max Marselek Front: Diarmuid Davoren, Evan Fox, Emmet Darcy, Mark Bradley, Ben Carew, Mark Kearns

In addition, they were on hand in large numbers to help organise and stage the Primary Hurling Blitz, were to the fore when Liam McCarthy and the host of other trophies won by the Galway county teams came to visit, and then helped celebrate (though somewhat begrudgingly for some) when their coaches decked out in Green and white to support their beloved Liam Mellowes on their journey to county glory.

Junior Hurling Team Back: Cian Mulrooney, Adam Forde, Jason McDonagh, Jack Molloy, Kevin Walsh, Paul Kearns, Tadhg Faherty, Rhys Plower, Eanna Davoren, Oisín Dillon. Front: Colin Forde, Ify Asogu, James Bradley, Sam Cooke, Diarmuid Davoren, Aaron Groarke, Colin Fahy, Darragh Kyne, Joshua Casey

Although we ended up with no silverware of our own to deck the trophy cabinets this time, the feeling is that it won’t be long. With such dedication it will be sooner rather than later

Scenes from the year...marshalling the Primary Hurling Blitz, honing skills during a wet lunchtime, the victorious Moycullen U-10 team who won the blitz and Mary’s men Eoghan Ryan, Jack Forde, Tadhg Haran, Aonghus Callanan and John Elwood who were members of the victorious Galway County Champions Liam Mellowes

Hurling—Liam McCarthy visit It was a privilege to watch Galway brilliantly winning both the Senior and Minor All-Ireland Hurling titles in September, and then to welcome members of both panels to the College under the leadership of our own Jeffrey Lynskey. There was great excitement as the Liam McCarthy was paraded alongside the National League Trophy, the Bob O’Keeffe Leinster Trophy and the Irish Press Minor Hurling Trophy. It’s a rare occasion indeed when all four are gathered together in one year.

Mary’s Got Talent: The Stars Abraham Shomefun The LC Crew featuring Westside Boy

Winner allright — Well done Conor

Thomas Caffrey

Henok Dems

Conor Croke

Daithí and Evan Emmanuel Awoponle Joshua Brodricks Avelino Assogba

Joseph and Solomon

The Choirboys Dennis Onuoha

Silver, gold and bronze 36

Mary’s Got Talent: The Action This year’s MGT was another brilliant exhibition of all that is good in Mary’s...a respectable appreciative audience, acts that gave us huge entertainment...comedy, music and dancing...and, as always excellent organisation. Take a bow everyone.

First Year Sports Day

Visitors This year welcomed a number of visitors to St. Mary’s to talk to us about myriad events over a diverse range of topics...included here are some examples. We welcomed Bishop Brendan Kelly to his new Diocesan College in February

John O’Shea, formerly of Goal, gave us a great talk about development in the world and his experiences in November

Hildegarde Naughton TD met with our CSPE students for a Dáil and politics inspired chat in April...

...while Ronan Byrne aka ‘The Friendly Farmer’ gave a few useful tips to our budding agricultural entrepreneurs in January

Representatives from Jigsaw gave us some excellent tips on Mental Heath and wellbeing...

...before Dr. Brendan Smith opened our eyes to some of the pitfalls of Internet usage with his informative talk on Internet security

Our students really got into the swing of things in March during a visit from a French Educational Drama group...

...and our LC students were given a great eye-opener with a talk from NUIG about the Global network available to them through the university. Finally, well done to Enactus who gave a very informative talk to our junior students on Autism. So an example of the varied and informative programme of events catering to all interests 39

Feast Day 2017 Once again Radek and his crew in the kitchen performed a brilliant job to feed the 400 odd mouths of Maryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s as part of our traditional Feast Day Christmas Dinner...donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t think anyone went hungry! Well done to all the staff who ensured there was no waiting, and to all the students who cleaned their plates!!

Feast Day 2017

Quizzes Another busy year for the Mary’s Quiz teams saw representation in Science and Maths quizzes during the year. The senior Science quiz team (left) of Daniel McDonagh, Leon Long and Thomas Caffrey narrowly lost out on the chance to represent Galway in the AllIreland finals when they finished just outside the qualifying places during the regional finals in GMIT The St. Mary's Junior Cert Quiz team did a little better finished but were very disappointed to finish as runners-up in the Irish Science Teachers Association Galway County Quiz. A brilliant performance from the three lads, Mircea Tabalae, Dylan Caffrey, and Ihtasham Ahmed, saw them lead for the entire competition before one slip up in the final round saw Mercy Woodford catch them. In the resulting tie- break they fell at the final hurdle, just narrowly failing in their quest to win the title for the third year in a row! Both the excellent winners and ourselves finished a whopping 6 points (scoring 67/80) ahead of the third place team Coláiste Baile Chláir in a competition which saw forty teams from schools all over the county take part for the Boston Scientific sponsored prizes. Mircea was again involved in the Junior Cert Maths quiz team who represented the Collge at the Irish Maths Teacher’s association regional quiz in Athlone. Along with fellow team members Jack Molloy, Eanna Davoren and Kevin Walsh they finished a commendable fourth. The annual staging of the Fr. Seán Manning Primary School quiz during science week attracted a crowd of over 50 tables as it’s popularity continues to increase. The winners came from St. John the Apostle NS in Knocknacarra, winning for the second time in three years.

Second Year Sports Day 2018

Gaelic Football Unfortunately, no silverware to show for this years endeavours on the Gaelic pitches of Connacht, but we did have some serious performances along the way, the highlight of which was probably beating St. Jarlaths in first year...been a while since that happened. Maybe the rising tide of Galway Football will inspire a few more lads to emulate their heroes, especially those who once proudly wore the red and black and are now flying the flag for the maroon and white: Seรกn Armstrong, Ruari Lavelle, Gareth Bradshaw, Paul Conroy, Seรกn Kelly, Johnny Duane, David Wynne and Des Conneely . Promising times ahead we hope!

First Year Football 2017-18 Back: Diarmuid Davoren, Emmet Darcy, Luke McKenna, John Osifo, JJ Walsh, Kevin Tierney, Evan Fox, Jack Walsh, Mark Bradley, Jay Martyn, Seรกn Stafford, Mark Kearns, Barry Forde. Front: Caleb John, Francis Mahon, McEdison Sido, Evan Francis, Joshua Osifo, Marco Heanue, Ben Carew, Ali Stewart, Chukwudi Nwaonukwube

Senior Football 2017-18 Back: Shane Kyne, Josh Brodricks, Kevin Hourigan, Fiachra Mulkerrins, Stephen Flaherty, Cian Costello-Hynes, Cormac Croke, Paul Arrigan, Romeo Pecha, Brian Martin, Junior Subhair, Shane Folliard Front: Thomas Caffrey, Eimhin Mulkerrins, Paul Conneely, Kevin Walsh, Tadhg Faherty, Adam Forde, Jason McDonagh, Des Costello-Hynes, Eanna Davoren, Daniel Kennedy, Tyler Molyneux

Juvenile Football 2017-18 Back: Darragh Kyne, Jack Molloy, JJ Walsh, Josh Osifo, Victor Asiegbu, John Osifo, Cyrus Palmer Agbontaen, Dylan McDonagh, Lee Farragher, Aaron Dossen, Aaron Canavan, Emmanuel Abiodun, Paul Kearns, Gradi Lomboto, Joseph Arosomade. Front: Joshua Casey, James Bradley, Dylan Traynor-Canavan, Jack Walsh, Luke McKenna, Sam Cooke, Aaron Groarke, Diarmuid Davoren, Evan Fox, Hassan Diarrassouba, Ify Asogu

Prefects

Prefects 2017-18 Back: Eamonn MacDonnacha, Eryk Bijak, Matthew Healy, Daniel McDonagh, Ethan O’Brien, Thomas Caffrey, Fiachra Mulkerrins, Kevin Hourigan. Front: Sai Shreyas Gujilla, Shane Folliard, Joshua Brodricks, Paul Conneely, Evan Harte-Conroy, Eimhin Mulkerrins, Tyler Molyneux (missing: Hubert Matuszewski) The prefects are chosen by staff based upon their overall contribution to St. Mary’s College during their junior years. They represent the College at numerous official engagements over the year and help to maintain order around the College. They truly lead by example.

Team Building in Killary and craic paintballing in Eile Mental, mixed with the formal! It wasn’t all hard work 45

Soccer Senior Soccer 2017-18 Back: Zino Johnny, Paul Arrigan, Henok Dems, Cian Costello -Hynes, Blake Cummins, Stephen Flaherty, Shane Folliard, Enoch Abiodun, Rykelmy Rodrigues. Front: Tresor Sangi, Avelino Assogba, Dion Darcy, Tyler Molyneux, Luke Flaherty, Daniel Kennedy

Pictured right are the team that played in the First year Futsal final in NUIG, where they narrowly failed to make the final Back: Daniel Wilson, Lee Corcoran, Liam Murphy, Darcy Mbiajeu, Conor Horan, Josh Osifo, John Osifo. Front: John Mongan, Jorge Zamarrago, Jay Martyn, Ben Carew

First Year Soccer panel 2017-18 Back: Adam Roboneka, Ryan Tierney, Francis Mahon, Donnie Meehan, Liam Murphy, Daniel Wilson, John Osifo, Josh Osifo, Divine Okeke , Luke McKenna, Chukwudi Nwaonukwube, Emmet Darcy, Hedris Ofili, Cathal O’Grady-Corcoran, Isshak Boussoufa, Dan Carey, Ali Stewart. Front: Favour Odion, John Mongan, Darcy Mbiajeu, McEdison Sido, Kyle Rossborough, Jay Martyn, Jack Walsh, Evan Fox, Caleb John

The first years had a fairly OK season, emerging out of their group following matches against St. Enda’s, Coláiste na Coiribe and Pres Athenry to face eventual finalists Coláiste Baile Chláir in the Connacht Q/F. The Claregalway lads proved too strong on the day despite the best efforts of the lads. Our U15 team also went out at the Quarter-Final stage, losing to a very strong Summerhill Sligo team, while the seniors failed to progress out of the group stages. Pictured left is the team that played the Connacht Q/F

Soccer

Sixth Year Back: Zino Johnny, David Warde, Nathan Canavan, Paul Arrigan, Stephen Flaherty, Cian Costello-Hynes, Nathan Walsh, Henok Dems, Mr. Dave Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Boyle. Front: Kevin Hourigan, Muiz Ajiboye, Avelino Assogba, Dion Darcy, Taofeek Adekola

Fifth Year Back: Enoch Abiodun, Shane Folliard, Jose Poblaciones, Luke Flaherty, Dean Watson, Blake Cummins, Tresor Sangi, Daniel Kennedy, Tyler Molyneux. Front: Carlos Caledo Diaz, Adrian Grenson, Cormac Croke, Tadhg Faherty, Dylan Spelman, Des Costello-Hynes. Mascot: Rykelmy Rodrigues! 47

A novel Walter Burke Cup, brought on by the excessive wet weather saw, a great play-off between the agricultural Sixth years and the refined Fifth years. Needless to say the best team won out in the end...agriculture always wins out!! Dig dig, lift lift!

Science Week 2017 Science Week in November was a very busy time around the College as we participated in a number of events over the week. We once more hosted the Fr. Seรกn Manning Primary Science Quiz, a phenomenon that keeps growing. We also hosted Mr. James Soper and his Science show, while participating ourselves in ReelLife Science, the ISTA Senior Science Quiz and displaying some of our excellent space projects at the NUIG Science Fair. The Collage tells a bit of the story.

Student Council The St Mary's Student Council of 2017-2018 interacted with the school community, forging a path for future years to continue our newly planted tradition of having a student governing body. This year our council consisted of fifteen students, three from First and Second year, Four from both Third and Fifth year, and a single Leaving Cert student. This student group organised various activities and drives throughout the year. With the help of the Student Council mentoring teacher, Ms Orla Nic Eoin, the Student Council organised a bake sale at the beginning of the school year, collecting money for the school while also satisfying the students. The council went on to also participate in the Darkness Into Light walk, organising for various other students to also take part and taking the incentive to make a change around the school grounds. The student governing body also plans to upgrade the games room as well as find a common ground between the students and the staff to create the best possibly school environment at St Mary's College. Surely they will go on to do great things around the school next year, best of luck to all of the current members.

Alex Polchowski

Student Council Members: Caleb John, Colin Forde, Eanna Davoren, Sherrif Subhair, Bernard Sarpong, Alex Polchowski, Kacper Borszcz, Cyrus Palmer Agbontaen, Shane Folliard, Rhys Plower, Sam Cooke, Ibrahim Ijaz, Jakub Szymonik, Hedris Ofili

Basketball

U-16 Basketball Back: Enoch Abiodun, Eanna Davoren, Darragh Kyne, Sherrif Subhair, Max Zaczynski, Elijah Aliowe, Mobhi Ikegwuruka. Front: Lucky Sila, James Kebana, John Atairu, Rhys Plower, Dylan Spelman, James Bradley, Owen Talabi

U-14 Basketball Back: Artemiy Vershinin, Solomon Shomefun, Martin Ward, Evan Lynam, Cormac Hannon, Carlos Virginio, Bartek Pawlik, Max Marselek. Front: Prodige Mendes, Bogdans Dubravsikis, John Atairu, Zaid Abu Diak, Sandrius Keras, Adrian Mamali, Ryan Thornton Byrne

First Year Basketball Back: Matthew Connolly, Conor Horan, Caleb John, Shafy Mohammed, Isshak Bousssoufa, Luke McKenna, Naoise Walsh, Paul Hamilton. Front: Evan Fox, Mark Bradley, Jay Martyn, Diarmuid Davoren, Oktavio Neziri

Carol Service Christmas 2017

Mary’s on Tour It wasn’t all sitting at desks studying during the year as we got out and about on a few interesting field trips. Here’s a taste of a few ...starting with our Agricultural Science students getting down and dirty in on Henry Walsh’s farm in Oranmore and in the Mountbellew Agricultural College

Our English students went all cultural on us with a trip to Macbeth in the Bord Gáis Theatre in Dublin Former student Jordan Miller greeted our debaters in his capacity as Chair of the Literary and Debating Society in NUIG

Our first years learned a huge amount about their city during their very informative tour with Dr. William Henry

Meeting Galway hurling hero Conor Whelan during a visit to NUIG…

Some of our Geography students on one of their many Field Trips...this one to Silver Strand to study rock types. And the Physicists also got their day out with a trip to the Tyndell Lecture in NUIG

...and learning a little bit about the law during a visit to the Galway Courthouse

Maryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s still on tour

Sixth Years hit the beaches on their Geography Field Trip

LC Mentors are rewarded for their efforts with a Paintballing trip to Eile Mental in Barna

First years find out how it used to be in the Computer Science Museum in NUIGâ&#x20AC;Ś. As the third years showed their support for mental health with the Friendship Walk on the Prom

Fifth Years enjoy their day out in the Burren sun as part of their Geography Field Work Project

The Games Room The games Room, marshalled excellently by Leaving Certificate prefect Eryk Bijak, proved a very popular outlet on those rare rainy days that we tend to get here in the West! A great selection of board games was supplemented by the inclusion of the Table Tennis tables half way through the year, and thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s no doubt but that these proved a rowdy but popular addition

Maths The Maths Problem of the Week proved intriguing for a substantial number of our students this year – or perhaps it was the prospect of a free dinner in the canteen! Each week students and social media participants were invited to test their maths and reasoning abilities with a series of brain teasers designed to get the grey matter working. They have even been known to cause a few divergent opinions, most especially amongst the senior students. We were delighted that nine of our first year students, Tom Browne, Alexander Coveney, Evan Fox, Evan Francis, Conor Horan, Markuss Klien, Matthew Lukyanov, Luke McKenna and Divine Okeke were selected to represent the school at the regional final of the nationwide IMTA First Year Maths Competition. This prestigious competition began in 1994 by the Irish Maths Teachers Association and is held in schools nationwide. It covers brain teasers, arithmetic and abstract reasoning questions. The first round was held in school and the students who scored the highest were invited to participate in the Regional Final. Four of our third year students also participated in the Pi Quiz, held in Our Lady’s Bower in April. Well done to our participants Éanna Davoren, Jack Molloy, Mircea Tabale and Kevin Walsh who were placed third on the night and acted as great ambassadors for the College. Éanna Davoren, Jack Molloy, Kevin Walsh and Sam Cooke also participated in the Applied Maths Quiz run by NUIG in January. Given that the quiz was aimed at TY students, the lads acquitted themselves very well on the night

The Collage below captures a bit of the spirit of the Maths year, featuring some of the Problem of the week winners, or quiz participants, and some of the endless craic to be had when Maths classes go a bit out of the box!

SciFest SciFest is the second biggest Science competition outside of the BTYS and this year we had our largest ever entry in the SciFest competition with four first year and one fifth year project entering. For many it was their first experience of being judged for their work , getting to exhibit for the public at the GMIT venue and of course getting to meet many like-minded students from other schools around Connacht. It was a valuable experience and hopefully one that will stand to them as they progress with their science futures in St. Maryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

Other stuff! Well done to our Gaeilge debators Cian, Eanna, Mircea and Dylan who competed in the Gael Linn Díaspóireacht comórtas A quick thank you to Ms Geoghegan and Ms Brennan who kept the Badminton Club going all year

Mr. Armstrong’s Bond Traders (left) showed that their might be space for a Mary’s Man or two on Wall Street… Well done to Zalan Nemeth (right) who competed at the World Schools Chess Championships in Albania back in April

While Galway hurlers were in Croke Park winning all the Hurling cups available a Mary’s Man, Diarmuid Mulkerrins, was busy taking the All-Ireland Minor Handball title ...comhgairdeachas Diarmuid

Well done to the boys who threw themselves wholeheartedly into the Christmas spirit with their home designed Christmas jumpers ...

...and well done to Dovydas who won the typing challenge held earlier in the year...much faster than me I’d say…. We’ll find a role for you in future yearbooks! I suppose we can’t sign off without a mention of the weather. Between hurricanes, storms and snow we got to spend a few more days than expected at home by the fire. Thanks snow!

The lads who benefitted from having the experience of organising the school bank pictured with their certificates 57

Comhairle na nÓg Comhairle na nÓg is a national children’s council for teenagers between the ages of 12 - 18. Its primary objective is to give young people a chance to have their voices heard by being involved in the development of local services and policies. There are currently five students representing St. Mary's College in the Galway City Comhairle na nÓg, the group is coordinated by Ms Byrne. This year’s chief members are Hubert Matuszewski, Omar Hammam, Simon Browne, Alexander Coveney and Cathal O’Grady-Corcoran, while others participated throughout the year Every year, an AGM is held whereby delegates from secondary schools across Galway city discuss relevant issues that concern young people, and, choose a topic with which to make progress upon. The chosen topic for this academic year was ‘Discrimination’. The committee meet every Monday in City Hall to work on the assigned topic with the aim of coming up with solutions to address the topical issue of discrimination across Galway city. As part of the committee’s work they organised an event, entitled “CommUNITY” in The Ardilaun Hotel. The committee invited many groups, schools and organisations to this event in order to gain new ideas and perspectives from the public pertaining to discrimination. Organising and hosting such an event is a most valuable experience for the committee members. The committee are very busy analysing the information gathered at the event as they have to report on their work at the next AGM. The committee also participate in other activities including team building to improve and strengthen the bond between committee members. Other actions involve working with other local Comhairlí or third party youth agencies. Omar Hammam

Farewells and welcomes

St. Mary’s College Staff 2017-18 Back: Paul Concannon, Enda Mulrooney, Pat O’Toole, Colin McCaul, Gerry Dempsey, Seán Óg De Paor, Ronan Faherty, Pat Healy, Donal Quinn, Darragh Kerrigan. Middle: Gráinne Kelly, Emily Jordan, Kathleen Costello, Imelda Cunnane, Mary Kilgariff, Edel Nolan, Niamh Byrne, Caoimhe Wallace, Martin Horgan, Michael Murphy, Seán Armstrong. Front: Gerard Lennon, Anja Sammon, Katie Brennan, Mary McKearney, Kieran Sweeney, Tom Nolan, Maura Stankard, Richie Bell, Maura Geoghegan, Órlagh Nic Eoin, Anthony Carey

As their beautiful cake says enjoy the next chapter in your stories…. Have a great time Maura, Mary, Kathleen and Imelda. May you have as much fun after Mary’s as you had during your time in Mary’s!!

And, for every door that closes, another one opens. We bid a fond welcome to our new secretary Fiona Britton.

St. Maryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s College Galway Yearbook

2017-18