(L-R) Natasha McCann, Aoife Brown, Shannon Quinn, Jessica Riddle, Aisling McParland, Dara Collins, Amy Thorne (captain) Erin Douglas, Chloe Quinn, Wiktoria Snopek, Cliondha Tierney and Lia Robb.

Missing from the photo are Kate Gamble and Jade Beattie.

Congratulations to the St Paul’s Year 8 Netballers who won a thrilling match against St Mary’s High School, Newry, on Friday 17th May to become the Newry and Mourne Schools Netball Champions 2013.

Team coach Mrs Paula O’Hare-Armstrong congratulated the girls on the hard work and commitment that brought them this title. She also thanked team mentors on the day Michaela Downey, Eilis Barlow, Carol Duffy and Ciara Fegan for their help with the team.

Well Done Girls!

Year 14 student Ciaron O’Hanlon, will start his first senior game for Armagh in Sunday’s Ulster Senior Football Championship opening tie against Cavan.

The 18-year-old was called up to the senior squad by manager Paul Grimley after starring for St Paul’s during their run to the MacRory Cup final.

Ciaron has never played for the county senior team before, but manager Paul Grimley had no hesitation in naming Ciaron in the starting fifteen and said ‘selecting Ciaron for Sunday’s Ulster SFC clash with Cavan was an easy decision’.

We wish Ciaron and Armagh the very best of luck on Sunday.

Armagh: Philip McEvoy, Paul McKeown, Declan McKenna, Mark Shields, Aaron Kernan, Brendan Donaghy, Ciaran McKeever, James Lavery, Stephen Harold, Caolan Rafferty, Ciaran O’Hanlon, Kevin Dyas, Tony Kernan, Jamie Clarke, Stefan Forker

Back L-R, Jarlath Burns, Vice-Principal, St Paul’s, Noel Doran, Editor, Irish News, John Rafferty, Head of PE & Sport, St Paul’s, Oliver Mooney, Principal, St Paul’s, Martin McAviney, Ulster GAA President

Front L-R, Students Conor Boyle, Gregory McCabe, Louise Kenny, Aimee Mackin and Ciaron O’Hanlon

St Paul’s High School, Bessbrook has been named as the Best Second Level School, in the highly contested Irish News Club & Volunteer Awards. The awards initiative, now in its second decade, recognises and rewards GAA clubs, schools and volunteers throughout Ulster for their commitment to gaelic games and their community irrespective of their playing ability.

At a special ceremony in Belfast, Principal of St Paul’s, Oliver Mooney was presented with the award by Noel Doran, Editor of the Irish News, who congratulated all the clubs, schools and volunteers that received awards adding that ‘the Irish News Club & Volunteer awards are tangible proof that our clubs, our volunteers & our schools are indeed the foundation of the GAA.’

He added, ‘the Irish News Club & Volunteer Awards have proven to be overwhelmingly successful as recognition for the hard work of the winning clubs, volunteers and schools. The awards are a great celebration of the vibrant communities that are created by schools, clubs and volunteers right across Ulster.’

Mr Mooney, who was accompanied to the presentation ceremony by representatives of both boys and girls Gaelic teams at St Paul’s, spoke of the dedication, commitment and drive of the students of St Paul’s.  Mr Mooney said that the promotion and development of gaelic games was part of the lifeblood of the school, and paid tribute to the extensive support offered by local GAA clubs which is critical to the long term success of the school.

Head of PE and Sport at St Paul’s, Mr John Rafferty, thanked the Irish News for their commitment to gaelic games, and their support of schools through the Club & Volunteer Awards.  Mr Rafferty paid tribute to the commitent of staff at St Paul’s to the development of gaelic games and to the massive contribution of parents and families who support students involved in teams.

Martin McAviney, Ulster GAA President commented, ‘Comhairle Uladh CLG are delighted to partner the Irish News Club & Volunteer Awards which recognise the work and vision of the GAA grassroots in Ulster. I commend the Irish News on this excellent venture and I would like to congratulate the winning clubs, volunteers and schools.’

Attending the awards at the Wellington Park Hotel was Paddy Tally St Mary’s University College who offered words of advice and support to the clubs, schools and volunteers attending.

As a winning school, the students were awarded a £1,000 Irish News development cheque, and a £1,000 O’Neills Sportswear voucher.

SMALL CLUB AWARD WINNER – Thomas Davis GAC, Corrinshego
HIGHLY COMMENDED – Gowna GFC
MEDIUM CLUB AWARD WINNER – St Marys GAC, Aghagallon
HIGHLY COMMENDED – Silverbridge Harps GAC
LARGE CLUB AWARD WINNER – Cumann Pheadair Naofa, Warrenpoint
HIGHLY COMMENDED – Killyclogher St Mary’s GAC
CLUB AND SCHOOL INITIATIVE AWARD – Killyclogher St Mary’s GAC
SMALL CLUB VOLUNTEER AWARD – Cormac McMullan (St John’s GAC, Drumnaquoile)
MEDIUM CLUB VOLUNTEER AWARD – Gerry Lavery (St Mary’s GAC, Aghagallon)
LARGE CLUB VOLUNTEER AWARD – Brendan Smyth (O’Connells GAC, Tullysaran)
SCHOOL, PRIMARY – Mount St Michaels PS, Randalstown
SCHOOL, SECOND LEVEL – St Paul’s High School, Bessbrook

Principal of St Paul’s, Oliver Mooney is presented with the Irish News Clubs & Volunteers Award for Best Second Level School by Editor of Irish News, Noel Doran.

Pictured above is Year 9 student Katie Boyle with the plaque and medal she received for being selected as Player of the Year for the Netball Northern Ireland (NNI) Southern Area Regional Development Squad.

Katie will now go on to represent NNI in the Interboard tour with takes place on the 11th May in Antrim Forum.

Congratulations Katie!

St Paul’s Bessbrook brought home another Ulster title to the School as they beat St Eunan’s College Letterkenny in the Danske Bank Ulster Colleges Treanor Cup Final.

Played at the fantastic facilities in Garvaghey, County Tyrone, St Eunan’s started the brighter of the two teams as they kicked three points without reply in the opening five minutes of the game.

St Paul’s responded with a few points of their own, however a great flowing move by St Eunan’s left their full forward one on one with the St Paul’s keeper and he made no mistake in sending the ball into the back of the net.

Half time:    St Paul’s Bessbrook 0-05   St Eunan’s Letterkenny 1-06

The second half started similar to the first half as St Eunan’s got the first score of the game but St Paul’s players showed great grit and determination to reply with three points in quick succession to put two points between the sides.

St Paul’s started to get on top and a long searching ball into the full forward line found Jarly Óg Burns, who rattled the back of the net to put St Paul’s in front for the first time in the match.

St Eunan’s responded from this as they went up the field to level proceedings, however with ten minutes to go Aaron Anderson lobbed the St Eunan’s keeper to send the ball into the back of the net to put St Paul’s back in the driving seat.

This goal proved the difference between the sides as St Paul’s went five points in front with a few minutes remaining on the clock. A late surge by St Eunan’s forced the St Paul’s keeper Michael Murphy to pull off an outstanding save, however St Eunan’s did get a point from this to reduce the deficit to four points.

Full time:   St Paul’s Bessbrook 2-11   St Eunan’s Letterkenny 1-10

Pictured above is St Paul’s captain Ryan Gaskin alongside the referee and St Eunan’s Letterkenny captain.

On Thursday 2 May, St Paul’s Year 9 Boys’ team lost out in the Danske Bank Ulster Colleges Corn Cholmchille Final as Patrician High School Carrickmacross won by a scoreline of 5-09 1-07.

This was a very hard fought game with Patrician High School making the most of their chances and coming out deserving winners.

On Thursday 2 May, St Paul’s Year 9 Boys’ team are set to play in the Ulster Colleges Corn Cholmchille final against Patrician High School, Carrickmacross.

The final takes place in Silverbridge GAA Club, County Armagh, with a 12.30pm throw-in. Keep an eye on our school Facebook and Twitter pages for any changes regarding the final.

Route to the Final:

Group Stage:

St Paul’s Bessbrook 2-09 St Malachy’s Belfast 2-06

St Paul’s Bessbrook 2-05 St Patrick’s Downpatrick 4-10

St Paul’s Bessbrook 1-09 St Louis Ballymena 1-06

Quarter Final:

St Paul’s Bessbrook 2-05 St Eunan’s Letterkenny 2-03

Semi Final:

St Paul’s Bessbrook 0-11 St Patrick’s Keady 0-08

Squad:

1. Conor Magennis (Capt)
2. Ciaran Mackin
3. Odhran Mc Nally
4. Niall Magennis
5. Aidan Davidson
6. Conor Davidson
7. Shea Trainor
8. Tiernan Cromie
9. Ciaran Cosgrove
10. Cormac Feely
11. Colm Hollywood
12. Ruari Taylor
13. Oran Loughran
14. Jack Quinn
15. Seamus Loughran
16. Shea McArdle
17. Conor Quinn
18. Ryan Hughes
19. Morgan Egan
20. Ronan Magennis
21. Padraig Mc Parland
22. Ciaran Gribben
23. Cormac Murphy
24. Shane Magill
25. Tom O Hagan
26. Luke Reynolds
27. Liam Mackin

L-R Mrs Una McNulty (Vice Principal) Ciara Jones, Ailis McDonnell, Rose Duffy, Katie Boyle, Aoife Fearon (missing from the picture Georgia Smith).

Last week six Year 9 pupils from St Paul’s were selected to represent the southern area in the upcoming Netball Northern Ireland U13 Regional Development Academy Tournament, which is being held in Antrim Forum on Saturday 11th May.

These girls will join a squad of 18 other girls from schools in the southern area, all of who have been training on a Monday evening in Cookstown Leisure Centre in preparation for this tournament.

Best of luck Girls.

St Paul’s dancers retained their title at Newry Feis and received three first positions in Senior Dance, Intermediate Dance and Senior Duet categories. At a special award ceremony, St Paul’s also received a cup for gaining the highest mark in their section.

On Saturday 20th April, the girls also travelled to Belfast to compete in the Ulster Dance Championships, receiving a second and two third positions in the Senior Dance section, Intermediate Dance section and the Junior Aerobic category.

Mrs Hughes spoke of the dedication and determination of her students as she said “Their commitment to dance is commendable.”

“The girls put in a lot of hard work and effort in preparation for these competitions and the girls should be so proud of all their accomplishments.”

The Intermediate Dance Team who received first place in Newry Feis on 12th April and received a cup for the highest mark in their section. They also received 3rd position in their category at the Ulster Dance Championships.

The Senior School Dance team who received 1st in Newry Feis on 12th April and 2nd in the Ulster Dance Championships on 20th April.

The Junior Aerobic team who received 3rd in the Ulster Dance championships.

On Friday 12 April, the Danske Bank Ulster Colleges All Stars presentation took place at the Europa Hotel, Belfast.

Jamie Cosgrove went along to collect his award and receive his recognition for being selected as left corner-back in the 15 players that were selected from schools all across the Ulster Province.

Jamie plays his football for St Monnina’s Killeavy GAA club and was part of the St Paul’s Under 18 team that won the MacCormack Cup and reached the MacRory Cup Final in their first year in the ‘A’ competition.

Well Done Jamie!

Pictured above is Year 14 pupil Jamie Cosgrove, being presented with his Danske Bank Ulster Colleges All Star Award by Ulster Colleges Chairman Seamus Meehan and Danske Bank Marketing Manager Michael McLaughlin.

Picture courtesy of Kelvin Boyes Photography

Pictured above is the 2012/13 Danske Bank Ulster Colleges Football All Stars. Also in the picture is Ulster Colleges Chairman Seamus Meehan and Danske Bank Marketing Manager Michael McLaughlin.

Picture courtesy of Kelvin Boyes Photography