Tipperary secondary school pays tribute to former student

The first of two gestures by The Presentation Secondary School, Clonmel to remember their late students Grace McSweeney and Zoey Coffey took place on Wednesday April 24.

Both students along with two others Luke McSweeney, a brother of Grace, and Nicole Murphy died in an horrific road traffic accident on the day Leaving Certificate results were released last August.

The inaugural Remembering Grace Gymnastics Event took place in the sports hall, with over 70 gymnasts from surrounding invited schools participating in honour of Grace McSweeney.

Principal Michael O’ Loughlin opened the event by giving a welcoming address to all in attendance including members of the McSweeney Family and proceeded to read a message of support to the family from Gymnastics Ireland CEO, Ciaran Gallagher.

All participants did themselves, their schools and Grace proud with their displays and all in attendance were transfixed with the gymnastic talent on view from start to finish.

The judging on the day was by Kool School's Karen O’ Dwyer who was ably assisted by Alice O Neill, Jessie Curran and Aisling Cronin.

Grace had attended Kool School with Karen O’Dwyer from an early age and had a special affinity with both Karen and the club so it was fitting they were such an integral part of the day and it's organization.

Prizes were awarded in all categories, a shield for the over-all school winners, two bursaries to attend Kool School for a year and the inaugural Grace McSweeney Perpetual Cup was presented to joint winners, Meabh Kinahan and Isobel Dennehy.

Incidentally, Meabh Kinahan has just begun her Level 1 Gymnastics coaching in Dublin and just like Grace, she too will be imparting her love for gymnastics to so many others.

The presentation of the cup was made by Brigid McSweeney, mother of Grace. Her clarity, courage and strength in delivering a heartfelt and inspirational speech was admired by all who heard her.

Gymnastics transcended all else on the day and there was a genuine feeling that Grace was with everyone in the room. 

She loved her gymnastics, and she was fittingly honoured by all the participants who had worked so hard to perfect their routines.

The Remembering Grace Gymnastics Event will be an annual event thus forward in the Presentation Secondary School diary. Many thanks to all who helped in any way in making the day so special.

The winners in the various categories were :

Group competition

1st Katelyn Ryan, Loreto, Clonmel Deborah McNamara, Loreto, Meabh Kinahan, Presentation.

2nd Becca Curran, Rockwell; Hazel Conway, Loreto, 3rd Kasey Dignam and Sophie Phelan, Scoil Mhuire, Carrick-on-Suir.

Beginners

1st Kim O’Shea, Presentation; 2nd Meabh Lonergan, Ursuline; 3rd Layla Crotty, Presentation.

Intermediate

1st Becca Curran, Rockwell; 2nd Deborah McNamara, Loreto; 3rd Ailbhe McGarry, Loreto.

Advanced

1st Katelin Ryan, Loreto Secondary School, Clonmel and Sophie Phelan, Scoil Mhuire Secondary School (joint first); 2nd Sarah ‘ Reilly, Loreto, Clonmel; 3rd Kasey Dignam, Scoil Mhuire, Carrick-on-Suir.

Kool School Gymnastics membership for a year

Lexi Delaney Scott, Scoil Ruain and Ellie Dalton, Ursuline.