Ashton School News July/August 2024

Mr. Eddie Kirwan chaired Sports Assembly with his unique style of outstandingly informative, historical, and contemporary facts, ensuring clear understanding of the symbiotic nature of the role of sport and academic success, supported superbly by Ms. Siobhán Dennehy and Mr. Brendan J. O’Sullivan, Physical Education Department.  Awards and prizes were presented to students for the different sporting codes they participated in throughout the year.

Girls Hockey: 1st Year and Minor Girls and Boys teams, had a very successful league and Cup campaigns, competing competitively and with enthusiasm, girls coached by Ms. Dennehy, Ms. Hutton, and Ms. J. McCarthy , boys coached by Mr. Venner and Mr. Ruddock.

The Junior Girls lost out in the Cup to Midleton on shuttles despite a strong performance, coached by Cian Dorgan.

Senior Girls highlight was against Newtown where they showed their strength of character in a close game to win on shuttles, coached by Jamie Venner and David Ruddock.

Senior Boys had a busy and intense year, playing tournaments and leagues conscientious, coached by Mr. D. Hobbs.

U14  Boys Soccer coached by Mr. Gavin McCarthy showed tremendous heart and commitment all year. Highlights included Declan Farr’s goal against Bantry and Andrea Kieffer’s goalkeeping heroics. The U15 Boys Soccer Cian Fitzpatrick and Euan Weighton cemented their dominance in midfield, with Paudie Opoku’s defensive prowess showed his skills mastery.

Basketball was busy with leagues and tournaments coached by Ms. Keane.

Badminton saw its largest number of members participating to date, coached by Ms. Stoutt, Ms. Desmond and Mr. Kelly.

International Awards were presented to Jamie Madden who represented Ireland at the TAGB Taekwondo World Championships in Coventry 2023 winning Silver in sparring. He won two Bronze medals at the ITFU Taekwondo European Championships in October 2023 and is presently the Current Sparring Middleweight/165 lbs Irish National Champion and Silver Medalist in patterns and Bronze medalist in Power breaking.  He has been selected to represent Ireland at the ITF European Championships in Cardiff 2024 and ITF World Championships in Barcelona 2025.

Okwuchukwu Backari participated at the FISEC-FISEP Games in Dunkirk in France.  She raced in the 100 hurdles and won. She was 3rd in the Long Jump and 1st in the relay.

Jaden Umeh played Australia Jan. 2023, winning 3-1, Jaden scored two goals.  Feb. saw Jaden play against Switzerland, then scored 2 goals against Wales, and scored 2 goals in a double-header with Latvia. He played in a Tournament in Italy in April , scoring 2 goals. Jaden played another European Tournament and scored against Latvia and Ukraine.  He moved to U17 in September. He subsequently  qualified for the next stage , the ‘elite phase’.  In November Jaden was part of the team which won the Shield against Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales.

Jim White was part of the Irish Men’s Footgolf team that played in the 2023 Footgolf World Cup in Orlando Florida. Jim was the youngest player to play for the Irish Men’s team coming 2nd in their group.

Louis McDaid represented Ireland in U16 Hockey in Poland in 2023, participating conscientiously.

Dougie Venner was a member of the U12 Squad for Optimists (sailing).  He continued to work on his skills and represented Ireland in the U15 Development squad, participating in the Coupe Internationale dEte in Perros-Guirec, Brittany in France.

Junior Sports Girl was awarded to Kate Mulcahy, a key member of the Inter Schools Athletics team. She has been a standout performer for the school’s Girls Soccer team. Kate has a humble manner, signing with Cork City this year, and trains with the FAI Centre of Excellence.

Senior Sports Girl was awarded to two students, Sadhbh O’Shea and Okwu Backari.  Both girls set high standards, hold themselves accountable, never miss training, always wanting to improve and help other improve.  Tenacity, competitiveness and fierce passion describe these girls well. Outstanding ambassadors for PE and Sport, always displaying excellent leadership on and off the field or on the athletics track.

Junior Sports Boy was awarded to Will Black for his dedication and interest in his chosen sports. Eager to learn, and push himself, shows great commitment, progressing quickly to the Senior ranks despite his youthful profile.  He shows no fear of opponents. He was a member of the Munster U16 team last year and currently starting on the Senior Boys Hockey team.

Senior Sports Boy was awarded to Harry Jackson who held himself to extremely high standards and was a positive influence on his teammates. He stayed cool, calm and disciplined in the face of adversity, possessing great technical ability, physical athleticism and control of the ball.    Congratulations one and all.  We salute you!.