Knockbeg celebrates excellence at parents’ day awards ceremony
Past pupils William Owens, Cillian Langton, Ben O’Gorman and Sean Murphy were presented with awards for their excellent results in last year’s leaving cert
KNOCKBEG College welcomed students, parents, staff, past pupils and members of the wider school community to its annual parents’ day Mass and awards ceremony, celebrating another outstanding year of academic, sporting and extra-curricular achievement.
The ceremony recognised success across a wide range of activities, reflecting the talent, commitment and dedication of students throughout the school year.
Academic achievement formed a central part of the celebrations. The school’s merit awards, which recognise students who have made exceptional progress throughout the year, were presented to John Conway (first year), Mark Moore (second year), Dominick Omotade (third year), Macdara Deane (Leaving 1) and Andrew Lupchian (Leaving 2).
These students were the Achievement Award winners for being the academic leaders of their respective years
Achievement awards, presented to the top performing students in each year group based on their examination results, were awarded to Michael Tomlinson (first year), Rory McKeon (second year), Michael Breen (third year), Seán Maher (Leaving 1) and Ben Keady (Leaving 2).
Sporting achievements featured prominently during the afternoon. The school’s football teams enjoyed considerable success, with the senior team winning the south Leinster league, while the junior footballers captured the south Leinster title before reaching the Leinster final. The second-year football team enjoyed a remarkable unbeaten season, winning the south Leinster championship, the Leinster A championship and the prestigious Mikey Sheehy Super 9s competition in Tralee. The first-year footballers also enjoyed an excellent campaign, reaching a Leinster final and winning the Carlow schools blitz.
Febin Manoj presents his U19 Irish cricket team jersey to Michael Regan
The senior hurlers were crowned south Leinster champions following an impressive campaign, while the school’s basketball programme enjoyed another successful year. The first-year basketball team won the Midlands Plate final, while the development squad also secured plate success. The second-year basketball team reached the last 16 teams in Ireland.
Athletics continued to thrive in Knockbeg, with the minor cross-country team qualifying for the All-Ireland championships after securing bronze medals at Leinster level. Numerous students also claimed podium finishes at the south Leinster track and field championships.
Ennae Byrne and Jack Jullian present the Senior South Leinster Shield to Mr Maye
Among the major individual sports award winners were Rhys Morrissey (first year footballer of the year), Evan Brennan (second year footballer of the year), Greg Kelly (junior footballer of the year), Jack Doyle (senior footballer of the year), Fiach Donnelly (junior hurler of the year), Fionn O’Sullivan (senior hurler of the year), Mikey Byrne (senior and overall basketball player of the year), Joshua Crosby (overall athlete of the year) and Ruaidhri Lawlor, who received the Fr Paddy Shine Cup as overall sportsperson of the year.
The second-year footballers were presented with the Parents’ Association Award
The Parents’ Association Award was presented to the second-year football panel in recognition of their exceptional unbeaten season and historic Leinster A success.
Principal John Maye congratulated all award recipients and thanked all those involved with the school over the past year.
