Good Shepherd N.S. Churchtown                 

Sports 2010-2011

 

             

 

SCHOOL SPORTS AWARDS 2010

The presentation of the school sports awards for 2010 took place last June. After a fantastic sporting year in the Good Shepherd the following children were rewarded for their contribution to sporting life in the school:

 

Hurler of the year:                         Kevin O’Neill

Gaelic Footballer of the year:        Theo Farrell

Soccer Player of the year:              Sadeq Jasim

Handballer of the year:                  Aaron Finlay

Athletics:                                       Michael Fitzgerald & Eve Colley

 

SOCCER

This year’s indoor soccer league for 5th and 6th class children is currently at the group stages. So far Mr. Crosby and Mr. Whelan have been delighted with the big turn-out for this competition. The 3rd and 4th class indoor league will be commencing shortly.   

 

Shamrock Rovers F.C. star Stephen Rice is presently taking the girls from 2nd to 6th class for soccer skills coaching on Wednesdays. These sessions are proving to be very enjoyable for all involved. Stephen has been very impressed with the attitude and skills shown by the girls. Comhghairdeas do na cailíní ó Scoil Náisiúnta an Dea Aoire.

 

Soccer coaching for boys in 4th, 5th and 6th continues every Friday from 2.30 to 3.30pm.  

 

Trials for the school soccer team will be taking place soon. For those interested in making the panel it is important that you start practising now. Last year we were very unlucky not to make the league final. After topping our group we came up short in a gripping semi-final that could have gone either way. Hopefully this year we will be capable of going one step further in recapturing the title that we last won in 2005-2006.

 

Last June, the school hosted an inter-school soccer blitz. Scoil Mhuire, Ballyboden and Our Ladies Grove, Goatstown provided the opposition. This tournament proved a huge success with both our boys and girls teams performing exceptionally well on the day. Well done to Warren Clarke, Thea Najos and David O’Hagan on being nominated as our school’s players of the tournament. We are hoping that this year’s blitz will be even bigger and better. More details to follow nearer the time.

 

G.A.A. COACHING

Hurling continues every Tuesday, with G.A.A. coach Nora Stapleton, for children in 1st, 5th and 6th class. Everyone in the Good Shepherd N.S. would like to congratulate Nora on her selection to represent Ireland in this year’s Women’s Six Nations Rugby Tournament. She was also a member of the Irish squad that played in the Women’s Rugby World Cup last summer.     

 

HURLING

Mr. Whelan will commence hurling training in the coming weeks for children from 3rd to 6th class.

 

CAMOGIE

After-school Camogie training continues every Monday for girls from 2nd to 6th class. Ms. Rafferty and Ms. Hartnett have been delighted with the girl’s progress to date. New players are always welcome so anyone interested in taking part please contact either of these teachers to sign up.

 

TAG RUGBY

We welcomed Rob back to the school again this year to continue his tag rugby coaching. He is currently working with the children in 2nd, 3rd and 4th class. These sessions are proving as popular as ever for the classes involved. Hopefully many of the children who have taken part in these sessions will represent the school later this year in the De La Salle, Churchtown tag rugby blitz for primary schools.  

 

We would also like to thank Rob for bringing the Heineken Cup, Triple Crown and Six Nations trophy to the school last year. There was plenty of excitement in the school on the days these trophies visited the school. Rob informed us that the Heineken Cup is valued at €80,000 while the Six Nations trophy is made of solid silver and is valued at a staggering €150,000. Hopefully after next year’s Rugby World Cup Rob will have another trophy to bring to the Good Shepherd N.S.    

 

ATHLETICS

The South Dublin Primary Schools Cross Country will take place again this March. Last year’s team comprised of pupils from 3rd, 4th and 5th class so hopefully we will be able to improve on the performance of last year. Trials for both the boys and girls team will be commencing soon so anyone interested in making it onto the team needs to start training now. 

 

DUNLAOIRE-RATHDOWN COACHING SESSIONS

The Dunlaoire-Rathdown coaching sessions take place every Thursday for children in 5th and 6th class. Before Christmas the children took part in a series of training sessions in badminton. This term the children have the opportunity to take part in a number of volleyball training sessions with Laurent Cauet, current coach of the Irish International Men’s Volleyball Team. We are delighted to have Laurent sharing his knowledge and experience of the game with the children of the Good Shepherd. Next term, the children will be involved in soccer skills coaching and will also have the opportunity to visit the U.C.D. sports complex. This trip is always one of the highlights of the school year.  

 

HANDBALL

This year’s Good Shepherd N.S. handball leagues will begin in March. Every year this competition goes from strength to strength with the skills on display continually improving.      

 

SWIMMING

Swimming classes are continuing in Templelogue College Swimming Pool. These classes are giving our children the opportunity to develop a life skill and it’s great to see their competence in the water improve from year to year. This year every class from 1st to 6th will receive ten swimming sessions.

 

 

Our pupils are certainly being kept busy on the sporting front and all of the above is in addition to the P.E. classes given by each teacher to their own pupils. While we encourage competitive sports there is also a great emphasis in our school on participation and fun with opportunities for all to be Sporty Shepherds.