 Presentation College Athenry 1st year hurling captain Cian Shaughnessy receiving the 1st Year A Hurling Championship Cup from Eamon Veale, Chairman Galway Post Primary Schools GAA.  First Year Hurling Panel The 1st year hurlers began their year by playing a number of challenge games against Tulla Community School, St. Raphael’s College, Loughrea and St. Flannan’s College, Ennis. Due to the large numbers interested in participating in hurling the overall 1st year group was split into two teams with Forms 1 – 4 coming together to create 1 team and Forms 5 – 8 coming together to create another. Doing this at the start of the year allowed everyone who was interested to get plenty of game-time. As the year progressed a 1st year panel was selected from the performances given in these initial games. Further games were organised throughout the year for those who were not selected as part of the Championship panel.
The Connaught 1st Year Hurling Championship kicked off on the 14th March when we played Gort Community School in Clarinbridge. Following a slow start, we gradually started to get on top and goals from Eanna Brady and Adam Stewart along with a 12 point (7 from play) contribution from Gavin Lee meant we pulled away to win comfortably on a scoreline of 2-16 to 2-03. Our second game was against St. Raphaels College, Loughrea on the 28th April in Craughwell. This time we made an excellent start and early goals from Thady Moran (1) and Cian Shaughnessy (2) meant we were always in control. 2 further goals in the second half from Shaun Gilligan meant we ran out comfortable winners on a scoreline of 5-19 to 1-03. Our last group game was fixed for 5th May where we took on St. Brigids, Loughrea again in Craughwell. This turned out to be a superb team performance with goals from Shaun Gilligan (4), Cian Shaughnessy (3), Eanna Brady, Adam Stewart, Thady Moran & Ryan O’Donnell giving us a comprehensive victory of 11-13 to 1-04. The final was fixed for 17th May in Ardrahan against Gort Community School. Having elected to play with the breeze in the 1st half, we built up a 13 point lead by half time with goals from Luke Martyn, Adam Stewart & Shaun Gilligan along with 2 excellent points from play from full-forward Cian Shaughnessy. Gort, with the aid of the breeze in the second half, were unable to break through what was an excellent defensive display and the game was ended as a contest midway through the second half when Cian Shaughnessy and Ryan O’Donnell added 2 further goals. The final score-line on the day was Presentation College Athenry 5-09 Gort C.S. 1-06. Overall it was an extremely successful year for our 1st year hurlers. They scored a total of 23-57 and conceded 5-16 in their 4 championship outings. They are a team with great potential for the coming years. Presentation College Athenry 1st Year Panel (Scores 2016/17):- 1. Jamie Burke, 2. Cathal Shaughnessy, 3. Jack Finn, 4. Luke Clarke, 5. Darragh Burke, 6. Luke Martyn (1-0), 7. Ben Haverty, 8. Conor Rooney (0-4), 9. Liam Leen, 10. Adam Stewart (2-1), 11. Gavin Lee (0-30, 0-18f), 12. Eanna Brady (2-0), 13. Thady Moran (2-7), 14. Cian Shaughnessy (6-8), 15. Shaun Gilligan (7-3), 16. Eoghan Hickey, 17. Ryan O’Donnell (2-0), 18. Michael Molloy, 19. Eoghan Burke, 20. Niall Farragher (0-1), 21. Matthew Moloney, 22. Alex Haugh, 23. Mark O’Dwyer, 24. Ronan Jennings (0-4), 25. Hugh McCann, 26. Gabriel McCann. History was made last Saturday in Lough Rynn Regatta in Co. Leitrim when two girls from Presentation College Athenry were on the winning ladies eight. The two members of the victorious Galway crew were Katie Diviney who rowed in the 2 seat of the 8 and Hannah Lane who had the very challenging task of leading, motivating and steering the boat.
The crew is coached by former international rower, living in Athenry for 20 years, Owen Diviney.  Junior A Connacht Camogie Colleges Champions. Back Row: Katie Diviney, Eimear Tully, Zoe Gilligan, Saoirse Gilligan, Lisa Coleman, Roisin Joyce, Aoife Raftery, Lauren Butler, Kate Moran, Sarah McCartin. Middle Row: Katelyn Tuffy, Claire Callahan, Tara Stephens, Caoimhe Allen, Rachael Tuffy, Sinead Lyons, Leah Burke (captain), Sarah Ryan, Leah Crotty, Maria Donohoe, Kaci Moran, Nessa Kelly, Ms.Page. Front Row: Aisling Sheehan, Anna Howley, Nicola Harte, Claire Forde, Anna Kilduff, Niamh Niland, Laura Kelly, Sinead Coleman, Caoilfhinn Hennessy, Hannah Finn. Missing from photo: Sandra Greaney. We had an extremely successful year in Pres Athenry regarding camogie. Back in October, our first years started the ball rolling in winning our own Mairead Meehan First Year seven aside tournament but our older girls did not want this to be the only camogie cup coming to the Pres this academic year. After the heartache of losing both the Junior A and Senior A finals last year, over sixty girls regrouped with all one goal in mind and that was to win both these finals and they didn't disappoint. The girls trained every Monday and Thursday or Friday since last September. Our first Senior A match was on the 6th of October where we overcame St. Brigids Loughrea on a scoreline of 2.15 to 7 points. Next up was Gort on the 24th of October where we overcame them on a scoreline of 10.23 to three points putting us top of our group and into a semi final. With other matches still not played, we knew this semi final would not come soon so we set about playing challenge matches versus NUIG Galway, Ursulines Thurles, Doon Limerick and Roscommon Intermediates as well starting to train every Sunday with Gerry Cronnelly. We trained throughout the Christmas Holidays in preparation for our semi final which was now fixed for January 10th in Leitrim pitch against Gort. Having beat Gort so well early on, complacency was a worry and with a big wind behind us in the first half, this worry got increased as we were struggling to score. Niamh Niland, however, came on having not started and made a huge difference and when she scored her first goal of four, she kicked the rest of the girls into action. After that the girls did not look back, eventually winning comfortably on a scoreline of 7.17 to 1.02 and setting up a Connacht final against rivals St. Brigids. Even though the girls had beaten St.Brigids well earlier in the year, there was no fear of complacency for this match, especially since St. Brigids had since welcomed their Sarsfields and Cappatagle girls back. Played on Wednesday, the 18th of January, this was an extremely tough match and a real battle. Conceding a goal early on, the girls fought back to go up a point at halftime with a goal from Lauren Gilligan playing an important part . However, after halftime, St.Brigids put on the pressure and went three points up and the Pres girls looked in trouble. However a tonic goal from a free from Leanne Freaney brought belief back to the girls and they pushed on to win on a scoreline of 2.11 to 2.08. Each girl played their part in which was a real team effort as well as the subs who came on. Great celebrations followed after the final whistle, especially when co-captains Leanne Freaney and Nicola Lawless lifted the cup. The girls then regrouped and started back training hard again the following Monday in preparation for their All Ireland semi final versus Loreto, Kilkenny. Great commitment was shown, even though our Leaving And Junior Cert girls were completing their mock exams. We travelled down to Kilkenny city on Saturday, the 11th of February but unfortunately it wasn't to be. The girls fought hard but were beaten by the eventual All Ireland champions on a scoreline of 1.14 to 1.08. Our Junior championship started on the 18th of October where we overcame Seamount Kinvara on a scoreline of 7.13 to 2.05. Next up was St. Brigid’s in Craughwell on the 25th of November where we beat them on a scoreline of 5.05 to 1.04. Like their senior counterparts, the girls then had to wait to see who they would have to play in semi final so challenge and championship matches with the Senior A team and championship matches with the Senior C team kept them occupied until eventually on Wednesday, February 1st, the girls lined out against St.Killians New Inn in their Connacht semi final. This proved to be a really tough challenge and the girls had to really fight hard to grind out a win but eventually overcame St.Killians by two points – 3.10 to 2.11. After the match, there was a sense of unease and disappointment in the dressing room as the girls knew themselves they had not done themselves justice. However, they had not time to dwell in it as three days later they had to line out in the Connacht final against a very fancied St. Brigids side who had eased past Gort in their semi final. The girls knew they had to prove a point. They felt they were much better than they had played in the semi final and a final was no better place to prove this and they did not disappoint. Each girl from one to fifteen and the subs who came on put on a much better display and proved to everyone there watching they deserved to be in this final. Fighting for every ball and taking on the Brigids girls, they became Connacht Champions on a scoreline of 3.09 to 1.04. It was a really proud mature display by these young girls and again great celebrations followed when Leah Burke lifted the cup on behalf of the team. Unfortunately, a week after the senior girls losing out, it was the same result for the junior team in the All Ireland final who also lost out to a very strong and the eventual All Ireland Champions, Loreto Kilkenny again -the final scoreline being 5.16 to 3.05. Credit where credit is due however, as the girls showed great heart in the second half even when facing a huge battle and fought to the very end. On top of this, we also entered a Senior C team with any girls who did not get championship game time with the Senior A’s eligible to play along with many of our Junior A panel. Our first match was against St. Cuans in November where we lost a large lead to eventually draw the game. Many lessons were learned that day in Raheen and we knew we had to defeat St.Dominan College in order to qualify for the final. The girls stood up to the challenge the following week and put in a much better performance to defeat St. Dominican College on a scoreline of 10.09 to 3.10. With Dominican College overcoming St.Cuans, this meant we were to meet again in the final in January. Two days after the Senior A success, these girls wanted to keep the winning streak going and they also did not disappoint. This was a very young team playing again Dominicans first team but our girls knew age was only a number, winning on a scoreline of 3.10 to 2.07. This was a great achievement and definitely contributed to our Junior A success. More celebrations followed when Lisa Coleman accepted the cup on behalf of the team. It truly has been one of the most successful years for Pres Athenry camogie. Three Connacht cups is a fantastic achievement but very much deserved for these group of girls who train very hard. We wish our very best to our ten Leaving Cert girls - Nicola Lawless, Leanne Freaney, Emma Gaffney, Sinead Walsh, Amy Hynes, Niamh Donnellan, Niamh Keane, Megan McDonagh, Eimear Keane and Sarah Kearney – as they move on from Pres Athenry and congratulate them on the great achievement of winning each Connacht A championship in their years in the school- 1st Year, Minor, Junior, two Junior 7’s and Senior. We also congratulate our three players, Leah Burke, Katie Stephens and Mary Dunphy, who were part of the Galway Minor camogie panel who won the All Ireland in April. We also wish our Pres contingent who are part of the county u16 and u14 panels the very best of luck this summer.  Senior C Connacht Colleges Camogie Champions. Back Row: Katie Diviney, Eimear Tully, Zoe Gilligan, Aoife Raftery, Sarah Ryan, Saoirse Gilligan, Lauren Butler, Rachael Tuffy, Aoife McSweeney. Middle Row: Rebecca Ruane, Sinead Walsh, Aine O'Farrell, Hannah Finn, Claire Callanan, Sinead Lyons, Lisa Coleman (captain), Kaci Moran, Maria Donohoe, Nessa Kelly, Katelyn Tuffy, Aishling Keane, Ms.Page. Front Row: Aisling Sheehan, Anna Howley, Nicola Harte, Anna Kilduff, Caoimhe Allen, Aoife Moran, Laura Kelly, Sinead Coleman. Missing from photo: Kim O'Hehir, Sandra Greaney, Fiona Walsh.  Presentation College, Athenry held it’s annual Achievements Day today Wednesday May 17th. As always it was a great day whereby the students success in all areas of school life is acknowledged and celebrated. Awards were presented for Academic achievements, 100% attendance, sport, arts, music and culture. The Credit Union Awards for highest results in Junior and Leaving Certs were presented to 6 students. The Spirit of Presentation College Awards and the perpetual Ceist trophy were awarded to very worthy recipients and the day culminated with the presentation of the Student of the Year Award to Sean Garman.
To view a full pictoral record of this event, click here.  On behalf of everyone at PCA I wish to thank all who participated in our annual Golf Classic and Raffle in 2017. The monies raised goes towards the provision of extra curricular activities in the school. A special word of thanks to our main sponsor Neylon Maintenance Services. Thanks also to our many green and tee sponsors and all who entered teams. Your support was acknowledged on both days on the golf course and on our website. Thanks also to Gerry Doherty and Luke Glynn for their help in organising and running the event. We look forward to seeing you all at our golf classic next year.
Cathal Moore - Principal Golf Results 1st - Tom Callanan, Liam Higgins, John Maye and Gerry Cannon 2nd - Ray Kenny, Austin Clarke, Gerry Raftery and Robbie Lyons 3rd - Michael Duane, Conrad Byrnes, Mixie Donoghue and Gerry Doherty 4th - Nicola Burke, Julie Carr, Kay Duggan and Noreen Doherty. 5th - Philip Somers, Seamie Crowe, James Martin and Patsy Lynch 6th - Padraic Lyons, Norman Farrell, Michael Higgins and Linda Lyons 7th - John Quinn, Ray Glynn, Luke Glynn and Gerry Doherty 8th - Sarita Glynn, Martina Casserly, Una Molloy and Angela Clancy 9th - Andrew Davey, Paddy Farrell, Owen O’Flaherty and James Lyons 10th - Shane Concannon, Kevin Kavanagh, Gary Moroney and Jason Greene. Raffle Results 1st - Áine Fahy - Flaherty Pharmacy Hamper 2nd - Michael Rourke - Joyces Supermarket Hamper 3rd - Anne Barrett - Galmac Printer 4th - Sean Whelan - Just Kidz Athenry Voucher 5th - Niamh McDermott - Galberts Foods Athenry Hamper 6th - Helen Byrne - Kreation Kitchens Plate warmer 7th - Jimmy Reilly - Kreation Kitchens Wine 8th - Áine Fahy - Kreation Kitchens Roses A big thanks to all the exhibitors who attended the Pres College Careers Information Fair on April 7th 2017. Local exhibitors included Coffey Construction, The Raheen Woods Hotel, Holian Accountants, O'Hara Solicitors, An Garda Síochána and the Allied Irish Bank. Also present were representatives from Boston Scientific, SAP, HP, Tusla. ESB, the GMIT Mechanical Engineering Department, GTI and the Shannon College of Hotel Management.
Our Golf Classic takes place this coming Friday and Saturday at Athenry Golf Course. To register your team, call / text 0871774650. We thank our sponsors for their generous support.  The Presentation College Novice Team came 4th in the National League Final held in Mullingar Equestrian Centre on 8th April 2017. They all had a fabulous first round with all four having a clear round. They battled very well in the final to take the 4th place. It was a glorious day in Mullingar with excellent facilities and beautiful weather made it a very enjoyable day for all. Ava Donoghue also placed 5th in the Individual 90cm.
On St. Patrick's day last, the Novice Team of Ava & Alicia Donoghue, Ava Finn and Jack Niland won the Novice team event with Ava Finn winning the Individual 80cm. Pictured above: L-R: Ava Donoghue, Phelim McCann, Ava Finn & Alicia Donoghue  Congratulations to out 150 Transition Year students who recently completed their Gaisce Programme. The challenging programme involves elements of community, personal and physical development over the course of a year.
Students were presented with their Gaisce Bronze medals and certificates on Thursday, 4th May by 2FM Radio Presenter Keith Walsh who encouraged the students to dream big and look to others who inspire their future plans. For a full pictorial record of the day, click here! |
