PHOTOS: Knockbeg College celebrates annual awards day

Knockbeg College celebrated its annual Parents' Day Mass and Awards Ceremony for the high achieving school year of 2022-23.

Mass was celebrated by Bishop of Kildare and Leighlin Denis Nulty, Fr Dunphy, Monsignor Byrne and Fr Furlong, with the school choir greatly adding to the occasion on Thursday, May 11. Full details of award winners below photos.

The Merit award is presented to a student in each year group, whom the subject teachers feel has made the greatest progress throughout the year and has put in a huge effort to improve. The winners were: Ben Corrigan (1st year), Aodhan Bergin (2nd year), Febin Manoj (3rd year), Cathal Buggle (5th year) and Oisin Jackson (6th year).

The Achievement award is presented to the top performing student in each year group based on his results in the formal exams throughout the year. The winners were: Eoghan Harris (1st year), James McDonnell (2nd year), Kevin McKeon (3rd year), Cathal Hennessy (5th year), and Conor Bowe (6th year).

Congratulations to Jack McGeer and Ryan Clancy for their excellent contribution to Art and Music respectively, with both students receiving awards in these categories.  James Hovenden came away the Comhaltas award in recognition of his dedication to, and promotion of, the genre of Irish music.

The following students received the JP2 Award for the outstanding work they have carried out in their respective parishes: Daniel Brennan (silver), Ewan Morrissey (silver), James Hovenden (gold), John Phiri (gold), and Tadhg Ronan (gold).

On the sporting front, the senior footballers were quite successful, as vice Captain Jesse McEvoy presented the Carlow School trophy to Mr. Ronan while Captain Jamie Conway presented the South Leinster A  League title to Mr. Carew. The 1st year footballers' captain, Darragh Brennan, presented the Laois Schools Blitz trophy to Fr. Dunphy.

Well done to Matthew Farrell, John Phiri, Cian Campion and Aaron Gordon for being selected on the SETU Carlow Schools All Stars Hurling team. Congrats to Matthew Farrell, John Phiri, Cialan Brady, Conall Bergin and Aodhan Lowry for being selected on the SETU Carlow Schools All Stars Gaelic Football team. The winners of the Gaelic Star Award were:  Mark Buggy (U14), Ennae Byrne (Junior), and Conall Bergin (Senior).

The Senior Basketballers reached the All Ireland Semi Final in the Cup competition, earning them bronze medals for their efforts.

The winners of the Basketballer of the Year Awards were: Liam Hooney (1st year), Aodhan Bergin (2nd year), Mikey Byrne (Junior), Jack Kehoe (Senior) and Conall Bergin (Overall).

In Athletics, several individual and team medals were won in both cross country and track field events in the Laois and South Leinster events. The Athlete of the year Award winners were Willy Duffy (1st year), Finn Craig (Junior), and Makenzie McIvor (Senior).

The overall sportsperson of the year award went to Jack Byrne for his huge contribution to sports in Knockbeg College, representing it in Gaelic Football, Basketball and Hurling throughout his six years.

Well done to the following students who have excelled in their specialist field on the sporting front; Jack Kehoe who represents Ireland on the u19 basketball squad, Tadhg Ronan is a member of the Leinster u19 rugby panel, Kevin McKeown (Leinster hockey), Febin Manoj (provincial cricket for Leinster), Conor Buckley (Pony Club Games National team), and Finn Craig (representing Ireland in world mountain racing).
 
Well done to the Green Schools Committee who worked tirelessly this year to receive their second green schools flag for water. It is no surprise that two of its members, Kevin McKeon and Finn Criag, received the Parents' Award for their huge contribution to Knockbeg College on many different fronts. The Amber flag was also retained as a result of organising wellbeing initiatives and promoting positive mental health.

Many thanks to the Parents’ Association for their continuous backing and with their support the school is able to send Michael Gaffney, John Phiri (both 5th year), Jack Dowling (2nd year) and Eoin Mulkerrins (1st year) to the Gaeltacht this summer.

Knockbeg's much loved secretary of 32 years, Noeleen Heffernan, retired this year and that milestone was marked by both the staff and the Board of Management at a function earlier in the year. The parents' association and the student body acknowledged the outstanding service of Noeleen to Knockbeg by making a presentation to her on the day.

Every year they invite members of the previous year’s leaving cert class, who have achieved outstanding results in their leaving cert, to recognise their endeavours and hard work. From last year's leaving cert class cohort they congratulate, on behalf of all in the Knockbeg community; Fergus Langton, Colin Phelan, Matthew Buggy and Pablo Byrne.

Well done and thanks to Brian Broderick, Daniel Brennan, Bobby Daly, Mikey Kelly, Brian Cox, Luke Doogue, John Phiri, Josh Brady, Gavin Dowling and Adam Hennessy for their role as Meitheal Leaders in helping first years integrate into Knockbeg and make a smooth transition from primary to post primary school. Many thanks also to Fiacc Brennan, Conall Bergin, Fionn Heslin, Patrick Joyce, Patrick Marnane and Tadhg Ronan for accepting the position of prefect and for being such brilliant role models in the school community.

A big part of what Knockbeg prides itself on is the charitable work and fundraising it does for worthy causes. This year, €5000 was raised for many various charities, such as SVP, Pieta House, Embrace Farm and the Donal Walsh Foundation.

The school annual is hot off the press – only released last week. Huge work was undertaken by Ms Fenelon and the editorial team to get it over the line. Mr. Maxwell helped with the sports section and it is an account of the past year’s activities, both curricular and extra curricular. The school offers a huge thank you to its many and varied sponsors.

There is a particular mention for Mr Murphy, Ms Law and the Kilquan Players for facilitating an interval raffle on one of their drama nights in Coon in February. Well done to TY student, Darren Garcia, who designed the image of our college crest displayed on the back cover. They ask all students, past & present, staff and parents to support to help cover the costs associated with it. The annual is €10 or two for €15.