Offaly school celebrates a successful year of sport

CRINKILL National School have had an amazing year in sport. They participated in Cumann na mBunscol football, hurling and camogie and handball tournaments. They also did very well in many athletics events throughout the year. Well done to all involved and hopefully they can achieve similar success next year!

Offaly Track and Field Athletics Competition

On November 29th last 36 students from Crinkill NS participated in a track and field athletics competition which was held in Drumcullen GAA Centre. It was a very well-organised event and the children had a great day. They were very proud of all the students who did very well in all events which included, running events, relays, long and high jumps and throwing competitions. All the children did extremely well and the 3rd and 4th class girls’ team and the 3rd and 4th class boys’ team won their categories.

Pauline Curley Marathon Challenge

In March nine girls from 5th and 6th class in Crinkill NS competed in the Pauline Curley Marathon Challenge. This challenge is celebrated during Women in Sports Week. The girls ran in a 40-person relay 42.2km long and completed it in 2hrs 10 minutes and 19 seconds which is faster than the women's marathon record held by Brigid Koskei.

Offaly Cumann Na mBunscol Football

Our ladies football team began their Cumann na mBunscol campaign on a crisp October morning in Coolderry GAA grounds. Rather than play a series of games the girls competed in a blitz with Clareen, Clonlisk, Coolderry and Shinrone with the top two teams progressing to the final.

After three comprehensive victories over Clareen, Clonlisk and Shinrone, the girls then had to face Coolderry in a dead rubber final game as both had qualified to the final. Despite having nothing to play, for the girls battled hard but ended up on the losing side leaving them with a point to prove for their upcoming final.

In the weeks leading up to the final, the girls trained superbly and diligently under the tutelage of Pat Nolan improving week on week and came to St Brendan’s Park eager to exact revenge on Coolderry. The girls hard work and training stood to them immensely and they produced their best performance to date with a 10 minute onslaught putting the game to bed early on and ensuring our girls hard work and determination paid off as they emerged victorious, winning their first ever ladies football title in what was a momentous achievement for them and the school.

In the same fashion as the girls, the boys had to compete in a blitz rather than a series of games to qualify for their respective final. Playing in torrid weather conditions in the Faithful Fields the boys braved the element and fiercely contested two excellent games against St Brendan’s Boys school & Gaelscoil na Laochra combined as well as St Rynagh’s National school. Coming up against two top teams our boys fought to the death in both games but unfortunately came out on the losing side on both occasions.

The boys can hold their heads high as both St Rynaghs and the two Birr school teams eventually competed in an excellent South Offaly school final. Despite the disappointment of losing, the Cumann na mBunscol campaign sparked an interest in many children for Gaelic Football and led to several boys joining the Birr Gaelic Football underage teams which is an achievement in itself and will no doubt stand to them for the future.

Cumann Na mBunscol - Hurling and Camogie

The boys and girls were trained indoors during the winter by Pat Nolan and after school on the pitch with Johnny Pilkinghton on Wednesdays. The girls and boys all trained hard, playing matches in school at lunchtimes to practice.

The boys kicked off their games against a skillful Gael Scoil Eiscir Riada in what was a very tight game. Eiscir Riada showed lots of skill and determination but the Crinkill hurling team came out on top to win by three points. The following week they played High Street/Clonmacnoise in another very competitive game. The Crinkill hurlers showed great willpower against a strong High Street/Clonmacnoise side to finish with another win. This saw them into the final in over four weeks time.

The hurling team played their final in St Brendan’s Park, Birr on Tuesday May 30th. They did their warm up with their team coach Johnny Pilkington and had their team photo taken. The atmosphere was fantastic as the ball was thrown in. The Crinkill hurling team got off to a great start and shocked the High Street/Clonmacnoise with how fast they started hurling. Crinkill maintained a good lead for the remainder of the game and there were shouts of joy when the final whistle was blown. Crinkill had won their hurling final.

The girls played their group games and registered great wins against Rahan/Mucklagh, Gortnamona/Mountbolus and Mercy Primary to get to the final. They played their camogie final in St Brendan’s Park in Birr on Thursday May 18th against Ballinamere. The two teams lined up behind the bag piper and they marched around the pitch and then stood and faced the Irish flag for the National Anthem. Crinkill were well supported by their school and parents.

In the first half, Crinkill were up against a solid Ballinamere team. They were trailing at half time, but came well back in the second half. Ballinamere emerged as winners, but the Crinkill girls did their school, families and clubs very proud.

Offaly Cumann Na mBunscol - Handball

On the 3rd of February boys and girls from 4th and 6th class travelled to Carlow to take part the Cumann na nBunscol Leinster Handball Finals against other schools from around Leinster. The children represented their school and county fantastically on the day. They gave a great display of their talents in their county colours and we are very proud of them! A big thank you to Kevin and Declan Cooke who train them in Handball after school.

Colin Dunne Memorial Schools Cup

On June 9th twenty children from Crinkill NS participated in the Colin Dunne Memorial Schools Cup in Tullamore. The events were 100m sprint, 600m run, long jump, shot putt and substitutes race. The boys and girls did very well in the competition. Crinkill had two teams for boys and two teams for girls. The Boys Team A came second overall, and the Girls Team A came third overall.

Fit School Project 2023

Crinkill NS participated in a Fit School Project. This is a speed endurance challenge. 4,331 children took part in the challenge with up to 40 classes participating in each of the 12 categories. 6th class boys and 6th class girls won their categories as best medium sized class in the county. 2nd class girls and 3rd class girls also won their categories as best large sized class in the county.

Many of the students also won individual medals for placing in the Top 10 in their class category in the county. Those children are Tom Enright, Ross Curley, Isabelle Johnston and Molly King (6th class), Rachel Wynne (5th class), Cillian Clery and Shane Cummins (4th class), Daniel Loughnane (3rd class), Mark Loughnane and Jacob Campbell (2nd class) and Aoibheann O’Meara (1st class). Well done to all involved and thanks to Offaly Sports Partnership for their continued support and especially to Declan and Kevin Cooke.