Jan 12

Written by:
12 January 2016 

Football
Our footballers have been quite busy with all teams playing in their respective championships this term. The U14 squad beat Clane and Patrician’s Newbridge in the group stages, to advance to the South Leinster semi-finals. Unfortunately they came up against a strong Good Counsel side and were knocked out of the competition.
The Junior team began their campaign with a comprehensive victory over Patrician’s Newbridge. This was        followed by two narrow defeats to St. Peter’s and Good Counsel, which ended our involvement in the competition.
At Senior level this year we have formed a development squad to cater for the large number of pupils wanting to play gaelic football. It was a very successful initiative, as the development squad drew with PDLS Bagenalstown, but beat Tullow CS to advance to the Carlow “A” Secondary Schools Final. Held in Carlow IT, we defeated Presentation College Carlow after extra time in a thriller, 1-11 to 1-9.
Our Senior Footballers drew with Clane and beat Ardscoil Athy in the South Leinster League. This was not enough however to advance, as only one team progressed out of the group. In the Leinster Championship,    Knockbeg had to travel to play Maynooth in the first round. After a good performance we came away with the win, 1-13 to 0-7. St. Benildus provided stern opposition in next round. Played in Dr. Cullen Park, Knockbeg could not overcome the strong Dublin school. Despite terrific vocal support for our team, St Benildus won on a scoreline of 1-7 to 0-5.
Athletics 
Athletics has made a strong start to the year here in Knockbeg. All 4 teams finished in the medals at the end of this year’s 3 County League. Minors and Juniors in 3rd, Inters in second and Seniors overall winners. Great     performances over the 3 days from lots of individuals and hopes are, as always, high for the South Leinster      Championships at the end of January. The team has also retained the Carlow Schools’ Cross Country            Championship trophy. 
Canice Whearty represented the school and himself with distinction at the Leinster Schools combined events championship finishing 5th. 
In the club scene there was some notable performances. Cian Kelly, TY, finished 5th in his Club All Ireland and has qualified for the Irish team in the Celtic Cross Country, racing in Scotland in January. Past Pupil, Stephen Lawlor, won the National Novice cross country and led home his club team St Abban’s to second place. His team included 4 more past pupils.
Hurling
The Senior hurlers enjoyed a good run in the South Leinister campaign. In the group stages they recorded    victories over Enniscorthy and Kilkenny Schools. In the quarterfinal, Carnew provided the opposition where   another good victory was earned. These victories gave the lads a place in the semifinal against Callan CBS. The game was played on a very windy day in Graiguecullen. Callan played with the wind in the opening half and opened up a 7 to 1 point lead. The lead would have been more but for good Knockbeg defending. On the restart the lads responded well and were back on level terms within ten minutes. Against the run of play Callan got in for a goal and as hard as the boys tried, the couldn’t claw back the lead. Callan went on to win on a scoreline of 1—8 to 1—6.