Parents' Day 2022
Annual Parents' Day
Our Annual Parents’ Day was held on Thursday 12th of May in the more familiar surroundings of the school’s sports-hall. Many thanks to Fr Dunphy and all associated with St. Clare’s Church in Graiguecullen for hosting many of our liturgical services since the Pandemic began.
Our Awards Ceremony celebrated all the achievements of our students throughout the school year. A wide array of awards were given in the areas of academics, extracurricular and sport, while other areas such as Charity work, Green Schools, Parish Work and Mental Health Awareness were also acknowledged.
We would like to sincerely thank Fr. Dunphy for his continued service to the college, both as chaplain and as a member of the Board of Management and would like to wish Michael Regan all the best in his new role as chair of the board. On behalf of the entire Knockbeg community, we would like to wish Fr. Shem Furlong well on the next stage of his journey.
The Achievement Award
The Achievement Award presented to the top performing student in each year based on his results in the formal exams throughout the year. The winners for 2021/2022 are:
Colin Phelan (6th Year), Conor Bowe (5th Year), William Owens (3rd Year), Kevin McKeown (2nd Year), and Aodhan Bergin (1st year).
The Merit Award
The Merit Award is presented to a student in each year, whom the subject teachers feel has made the greatest progress throughout the year and has put in a huge effort to improve. The winners for 2021/2022 are:
Gerald Duggan (6th Year), Fionn Heslin (5th Year), Luke Kehoe (3rd Year), Greg Murphy (2nd Year), and Sam Ronan (1st year).
Dressing Rooms Extension
We were delighted to have Bishop Denis Nulty, Bishop of Kildare and Leighlin, celebrate Mass and give a blessing to the new extension of the dressing rooms. This new development was made possible through the contributions of Fr Lennon, the McDonagh Family, the GAA and the Parents’ Association.
Flags
The Green Schools Flag is presented by Lee Brennan on behalf of the Green Schools Committee to our principal, Mr Carew
Mark Mc Dermott and Walter Webb present the Pieta House Amber Flag to Bishop Nulty.
The amber flag is a Pieta house initiative to encourage schools to promote positive mental health among their staff and students. The school also raised over 300 hundred euros on our schools go orange day supporting Pieta house.
Art & Music
This year’s Art recipient, for his skill & determination, is James Mahon.
James is presented with the Art Award by Fr Shem Furlong
The music award is presented to a student who contributes to and enhances the school community through his musical performances. The award goes to a student who participated in all curricular and extra-curricular events this year. He has performed both solo and as part of a musical team and has shown commitment to the school by playing a solo instrumental at our official opening in September. This year the recipient of the music award is Daniel Picovici.
Daniel is presented with the Music Award by Fr Shem Furlong
Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann
Comhaltas, who are the largest group involved in the preservation and promotion of Irish traditional music, very kindly sponsored two perpetual trophies for Irish music. Students who were interested in taking part in the competition were invited to perform a piece of their choice in front of two external judges. The standard was very high.
The recipients of the trophies are Conor Loughman and James Lowry
James Lowry is presented with the Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann Award by Fr Shem Furlong
Fundraising & Charity work
David Fennelly, Oisin Byrne and Colin Phelan present a cheque to Mr Carew, who will acceps the funds raised on behalf of all charities.
In total €6,000 was raised from fundraising and charity work and each organisation has received their share of the funds.
A big part of what Knockbeg prides itself on is the charitable work and fundraising it does for worthy causes. This year funds were raised for many various charities.
The annual tractor run was organised by students in February. €1,600 was raised on the day with all proceeds going to Embrace Farm, an organisation which was set up as a support network for farm families who have lost a loved one or suffered serious injury in a farm accident. Many thanks to David Fennelly and Oisin Byrne for driving this initiative.
The annual last person standing competition also raised €1,100 this year and the proceeds donated to Pieta House.
The All Ireland score prediction cards is a vital source of income for us and helps with the ever increasing cost of sports fixtures.
The Go Orange day raised over €300 for the Pieta House through various fun activities on the day.
Our Prefects ran a non uniform day and a cake sale for the injured soldiers fund as part of the Ukranian appeal. The Revived Soldiers Ukranian Appeal received €1,600 as a result.
The green schools ran a junior cycle in house quiz and raised €700 for Ukranian supports.
The Carlow Lions Club received €800 from our efforts of a non uniform day throughout the year.
Sport
Overall Sportsperson
This award goes to a student who has won several titles here in Knockbeg. He has the recently rare distinction of winning medals in hurling, football and basketball in his 6 years here and he continued to represent all codes with distinction. The winner of the Fr. Shine cup for overall best sportsperson goes to Oisin Nolan
Oisin is presented with the Overall Sportsperson of the Year Award by Vice Principal Mr Ronan
Football
Senior Football
The senior football team had a successful league campaign beating the two Wexford schools; St. Peters and Good Counsel on route to reaching the final of the South Leinster League which was due to be played against Naas CBS this term. As things turned out, Naas have informed us they are unable to fulfil the fixture and we waiting official confirmation from Leinster GAA that we are this year’s south Leinster A winners.
Our Championship hopes were denied in the most heart-breaking fashion up in Kiltoom, losing to Marist College of Athlone after sudden death Penalty shootout in the last 16 of the competition. The team were ably led by captain Colin Dunne and vice-Captain Tomás Byrne.
DCU 7’s
Our fifth year and TY team travelled up to DCU to participate in the DCU 7s. After tough games v Castleblaney, Benildus, Patricians Newbridge and Castleknock Community College the fifth year team had qualified for the final against St. Eunan’s of Letterkenny which the boys prevailed as Cup Champions.
The TY team also performed very well qualifying for the shield final where they were narrowly defeated by Gorey.
Captain of the fifth year team on the day was Jesse McEvoy. Jesse presents the cup to Fr. Dunphy who accepts the cup on behalf of the school.
2nd Year Football
The 2nd year footballers can take many positives from this year’s campaign. Firstly, they overcame Patrician Newbridge and Naas CBS to qualify for the South Leinster A Final. After a titanic battle in Netwatch Cullen Park, we unfortunately came out on the wrong side of a 2 point defeat to Good Counsel of New Ross. Our team however can take some solace in the fact that Good Counsel were comfortable 11 point winners in the Leinster Final, thus showing we are well able to perform at this high level.
Competing in the Laois Schools Blitz was also one of the highlights of the year. Not only did we win the competition, but a total of 51 players wore our famed blue and white hoops across four teams in the event.
Captain Enna Byrne presents the Laois Schools blitz trophy to Fr. Dunphy.
Captain Enna Byrne presents the Laois Schools blitz trophy to Fr. Dunphy.
Gaelic Stars 2021 / 2022
U14 Gaelic Star
This student represented Knockbeg in numerous sports to great effect. He excelled for the 2nd year footballers to such an extent that he made it on to the junior panel scoring a goal in their final coming off the bench.
The sponsor of the trophy, FR. Dunphy, presents the cup to Eanna Byrne
Junior Gaelic Star
This student excelled on the GAA fields and the basketball courts for Knockbeg. He was top scorer for the junior hurlers and led the footballers to the final from midfield. Currently a dual star for his native Kildare minors despite still being 16.
Mr. Conway presents the Fr. Dunny cup to T.J. Nolan.
Senior Gaelic Star
This young man has served Knockbeg with great skill and commitment in his 6 years and no doubt we will hear more of him in years to come. The Knockbeg Past Pupils Senior Gaelic Star Award is awarded to the current Laois u20 and recent addition to the senior panel.
John Behan presents to Oisin Hooney.
Basketball
Senior Basketball
The Senior team were dominant in the regional competition. However they were pushed to the final seconds by a strong Heywood Team in the final. A basket in the dying seconds by Jack Kehoe secured the win and the title.
The Senior team would go on to reach the All Ireland Quarter Finals where they were beaten by eventual All Ireland winners Gortner Abbey.
The Senior trophy is presented by the captain Conall Bergin to Mons. Byrne
Junior Basketball
Knockbeg’s Junior team were also dominant in the region. They won the regional title in dominant fashion against Colaiste Iosagain.
Like their Senior counterparts they would also reach the All Ireland Quarter Finals where they were beaten by a strong school from Belfast.
Captain Senan Ryan presents the regional trophy to Mr. Ronan.
1st Year Basketball
During the league they impressed with decisive wins over strong teams.
In the All-Ireland stages they impressed with emphatic wins over PDLS Bagenalstown and Skibbereen in the All Ireland quarter and semi-finals respectively.
It was Knockbeg College’s first B All Ireland Final in recent years, and in a hard fought, back and forth fight, the Knockbeg boys came out on top as convincing All Ireland B Minor champions. As a result, the school now competes in A next year with all squads determined to make an impact.
First year captain Aodhán Bergin & vice captain Matthew Durojaiye present the Midlands league trophy and the All Ireland trophy to Mr. Carew
Parents' Council Award
This is awarded to a student or students whom the staff feel have contributed in a positive manner to life in Knockbeg. This year it was felt that one group in particular stood head and shoulders above the rest and achieved a remarkable feat in winning the ultimate prize only a couple of weeks ago.
The first year basketball panel, ably led by coaches Mr. Denny and Ms. Geoghegan, won the All Ireland B title and in doing so are the recipients of the parents council award for 2021/2022.
Ms Geoghegan and Mr. Denny accept the Parent’s Council Award from Tricia Bowe on behalf of the 1st year All Ireland winning basketball team
Basketball Players of the Year
1st Year
Player of the year for First year basketball 2022, presented by Mr. Denny – The top scoring, most versatile and hard-working player of the year, Aodhán Bergin.
2nd Year
Player of the year for the second year basketball 2021/2022, presented by Ms. Geoghegan – the determined and talented Jack O Gorman.
Junior
Junior player of the year: Cathal Brady – presented by Mr. Maxwell
Senior
Senior player and overall basketballer of the year: Conall Bergin – presented by Mr. Maxwell
Overall Basketballer of the year
Athletics
Athletics started back for the first time in 2 years with a pre cross country championship last November. There were individual medals won in all grades minor, junior, intermediate and senior.
This success continued into the Laois championship cross country in January with the Minor team coming 3rd, The junior team coming 2nd and the intermediate team coming 2nd, all in the team’s event.
The south Leinster cross country championship took place in Carlow hurling club in February with Eoin Kelly qualifying for the Leinsters in his first year trying out for athletics, which was a great achievement.
Our junior team came 1st in the team event with outstanding performances from all involved..
Mackenzie McIvor was our last athlete to qualify for Leinsters coming in 3rd place.
Junior Plaque presented by Shane Maher to Fr. Dunphy
In-House Athletic Tournament
This year was the 1st time since 2014 that we ran the in-house athletic tournament of the senior and junior cups. For the 1st time we included a 1st year cup. The students chose 2 field events and 2 track events. You gained points by finishing in the top 6 and the student with the overall points won.
Kamal-Deen Olukoya is presented with the 1st Year Athletics Cup by Mr Jonathan Farrell
Alex Craig is presented with the Junior Athletics Cup by Mr Fahey
Oran O’Callaghan is presented with the Senior Athletics Cup by Ms Hott
Mackenzie McIvor is presented with the Overall Athlete Award by Mr Downey
Next Year's Prefects
The six prefects for 2022 -2023 are Conall Bergin, Fionn Heslin, Fiach Brennan, Patrick Joyce, Patrick Marnane and Tadhg Ronan. Here they accept their badge of honor from Michael Regan.
Special Recognition Award
Frame of Mind
John Phiri and Jamie Fitz present the trophy they won for their TikTok “A helping hand” in the national “Frame of mind” competition in conjunction with St. Patrick’s mental health services.
Bishop Nulty accepts this award on behalf of the school.
Enterprise Award
Well done to Cian Campion from TY who won the Carlow Senior Enterprise Programme with his mini company Campion Cutz. Cian was very busy over lockdown setting up his barber business and all his hard work has paid off. Cian also won the “Best Endeavour” award in the National Final, a fantastic achievement.
Cian presents the trophy to Mr Ronan.
2020 Year Group Scholarships
Brodie Feeney is presented with a token in recognition of his Scholarship Award to Trinity College by Mr Michael Regan (BOM)
Ciaran O’Hagan is presented with a token in recognition of his Scholarship Award to DCU by Mr Michael Regan (BOM)
Past Students
Every year we invite members of the previous year’s leaving cert class, who have achieved outstanding results in their leaving cert. To recognise their endevours and hard work, we as a staff want to acknowledge their achievements. From the leaving cert class of 2021 I want to congratulate, on behalf of all in the Knockbeg community, Finn Cummins, Jack Ross, Daire Brophy, Daryl Nolan, Ian Shanahan and Conor Walsh. Well done to Daryl Nolan who received an entrance scholarship to U.C.D. and Jack Ross who received an entrance scholarship to U.C.C.
Mons. Byrne presented a token from the school to the high achievers of leaving cert 2021
Zoom Recording of Parent's Day 2022
Here is the link to the Zoom recording of the Parents’ day Mass and Prize giving ceremony.
Knockbeg College Annual - A great Family Gift
Our College Annual is now available to buy at a small cost of €10 (or two for €15), and provides an excellent record of the past academic year. We would encourage parents and students to purchase a copy, as it will be a great way of reminiscing about school days in years to come.
