Under 11 Hurling Final

Well done to our Under 11s who defeated Scoil Chriost Ri 2-4 to 0-6 in the Under 11 semi final which was played in Ballybrown today. Patrickswell were the underdogs going into this match and winning it was an absolutely fantastic result! The Well will meet Milford NS (conquerors of St. Nessan's Mungret) in the final. A date, time and venue for the final have yet to be confirmed, however, it is likely to be played next Friday (June 7th).

School Closed

Patrickswell N.S. will be closed on Monday and Tuesday next week (3rd & 4th of June) for the Whit Weekend.

Olo Cup Champions!

Seven years after our last success in the legendary Olo Cup, Patrickswell N.S. are Olo Cup champions again! In the Gaelic Grounds today, a Patrickswell team full of grit, determination and talent battled their way to a thrilling 3-6 to 1-2 victory over their much fancied rivals, Scoil Chíiost Rí from Caherdavin, home of Na Piarsaigh GAA Club.
Scoil Chríost Rí settled first and had 2 points on the scoreboard before the Well had time to draw a breath but the boys from Patrickswell soon came to terms with the challenge in front of them and slowly but surely they started to gain the upper hand in key areas. A free, won in midfield and taken by Calvin Carroll was saved well by the Caherdavin goalkeeper but Cian Fitzgerald was on hand to flick the rebound to the net and, all of a sudden, the Well were in front. A superb point by Clive Kirby who was picked out very cleverly by goalie, Paul Buston completed the scoring in the first half.
Half time score: Patrickswell 1-1; Scoil Chríost Rí  0-2
The Well had the breeze in the second half but it was Caherdavin who scored first after the break. Their goal was a replica of the one scored by Cian Fitzgerald in the first half. The mighty boys from Patrickswell were behind again but, undaunted, they stuck to their game-plan and got themselves back in the driving seat. They hooked and harried, blocked, ducked and dived--and did whatever was necessary to turn the game in their favour. A pointed free by Calvin Carroll had the sides level six minutes into the second half. Carroll and captain, Adam Carrig were dominating the midfield exchanges at this stage and it was no surprise that the next two scores came from Patrickswell players Clive Kirby and Calvin Carroll, who scored a point each.
Every Caherdavin attack was quelled by the superb Well defenders--Neil Byrnes, Tomas Crowe and Martin Murray in the full back line and Adam Carrig, Cormac Kerins and Patrick Kirby in the half back line. Further success was built on that strong foundation when Carrig scored a fine long range point and then Clive Kirby hit an unstoppable ball to the net to put daylight between the teams. Another point from a free by Carroll saw the Well take a 2-6 to 1-2 lead into the final five minutes. The Well played with the same energy and enthusiasm in those final five minutes as they had throughout this close and hard-fought match. Aaron O Shea worked tirelessly in midfield whille Cian Enright did well on the wing, The icing on the cake was the result of a lot of hard work and an equal amount of cuteness from forwards, Niall Kerins, Cian Fitzgerald, P,J. Foley and John Kirby--the boy from 3rd Class who scored the goal that sealed victory for his school in the City U-13 A Primary Schools Hurling Championship!
This was Patrickswell's 8th Olo Cup success--and another famous day in the school's proud history.

Team: Paul Buston, Martin Murray, Neil Byrnes, Tomás Crowe, Patrick Kirby, Adam Carrig (0-1), Cormac Kerins, Calvin Carroll (0-3), Aaron O Shea, Niall Kerins , Clive Kirby (1-2), Cian Enright, John Kirby (1-0), Cian Fitzgerald (1-0), P.J. Foley.  Subs Jordan McCarthy, Darren O Flaherty, Kyle McCarthy, Cian Gorman, Nathan McGrath

Under 11 Hurling Semi Final Details

Patrcickswell NS will take on Scoil Chríosst Rí in the Under 11 hurling semi-final on Friday afternoon (May 31st) in Ballybrown (old pitch) at 2 pm.
Mungret and Milford will play each other in the second semi-final.

Olo Cup Final details

The Olo Cup final will take place in the Gaelic Grounds at 1.00 pm on Wednesday. Lifts to the match for as many supporters as possible would be greatly appreciated!

Olo Cup final

Patrickswell NS
v Scoil Chriost Ri*

@ The Gaelic Grounds, Wednesday, May 29th (time to be confirmed)

*Scoil Chriost Ri beat Ballybrown NS by 1-5 to 1-3 in their semi-final

Olo Cup Semi-Final Result

Patrickswell N.S. 3-10
Scoil JFK             0-1

This emphatic win for the the school's Olo Cup team was put beyond doubt in the four minutes that followed half time when two quick-fire goals by P.J. Foley put daylight between the teams.
The half time score was 0-3 to 0-1.
The 'Well defence was resolute throughout the game thanks to the no-nonsense style of defenders Adam Carrig, Neil Byrnes and their teammates in defence. Top scorers for Patrickswell were P.J. Foley (2-1), Calvin Carroll (1-3) and Clive Kirby (0-4).
The Olo Cup final will take place at the Gaelic Grounds next Wednesday, May 29th. Patrickswell will face the winners of the other semi-final between Ballybrown N.S. and Scoil Chriost Ri (Caherdavin).

The 'Féile Visitation'

After a gap of many years, the All-Ireland hurling Under 14 club championships are being held in Limerick this year. This festival of hurling is known as 'Féile na nGael'. (Last year Patrickswell represented Limerick in 'Féile 2012' in Dublin and made it all the way to the All-Ireland final).

As part of 'Féile', the GAA asks schools involved in promoting Gaelic games to accept a 'Féile Visitation' from members of the GAA County Board, current Limerick senior hurlers and footballers and some 'VIPs' (the last time we had a Feile Visitation in Patrickswell NS, the VIPs who visited us were Eileen Dunne (RTE) and Dr. Mick Loftus (GAA President, at the time).

The 2013 visiting group are booked in for a visit to Patrickswell NS at 11.30 a.m. on Wednesday next. All are welcome. Pupils may wear a GAA jersey at school on Wednesday, during the visitation.

Patrickswell Pupils on the Radio!

Sarah & Dara from Live 95 FM in Patrickswell NS

Listen out for pupils from Patrickswell NS on Limerick's Live 95 FM all next week! Every day from Monday to Friday, at around 8.35 a.m., a pupil from the school will feature in the "My Child's Got Talent" slot. First up next Monday morning is Megan O Neill (6th Class). For a taste of what's to come, why not tune in this Saturday morning to hear a wonderful musical performance by Third Class which will be broadcast as part of the 'In the County Show' between 8.00 and 10.00 a.m.

Notes for Pupils Running in PLassey on May 21

“Plassey” Primary Schools’ Athletics Finals 2013

Our school is sending a team of 24 boys and 24 girls to the Primary Schools Sports Finals in Plassey at the University of Limerick on Tuesday, May 21).

A bus will leave the school at 8.30 a.m. sharp on Tuesday morning. The children will arrive back at school at approx. 3.00 p.m. Pupils are asked to bring €6 to pay for the bus. (No pocket money, please).

Pupils will spend most of the day outdoors. Please check the weather forecast to help decide what pupils should wear/bring—coats, hats, sun-block, something to sit on, etc. Pupils should wear their school tracksuits to Plassey. Pupils are also asked to bring a Patrickswell GAA jersey, if they own one. Pupils who don't own one of these jerseys may borrow one from the school for the day.

Pupils will also need to pack a sensible lunch and a sweet treat (optional). It is also a good idea for pupils to bring something inexpensive to play with (e.g. a deck of cards, books, puzzles etc.) as there will be long periods of inactivity during the day.

Pupils must stay with the school group at all times unless they are involved in an event on the racing track. Senior pupils will escort younger pupils to the starting line for the '80 M' & '100 M' races, as directed by the supervising teachers and parents. Trips to shops will not be allowed.

Pupils must be on their best behaviour at all times. It is also very important that pupils bring home their own litter.

Children running in the Under 8 and the Under 9 races will be finished their events quite early in the day. Parents may collect these children early by arrangement.

If your child is unable to travel to Plassey on Tuesday next, please let his/her teacher know in plenty of time so that another pupil can be given the chance to represent the school at the Limerick Primary Schools Athletics Finals.

We hope everybody has a very enjoyable day.

Olo Cup semi final

The Olo Cup semi final between Patrickswell NS and JFK School will take place on Friday, May 24th. Venue and time to be confirmed.

Under 11 Hurling result

Patrickswell NS   3-0
Monaleen NS      1-4

A great win for the Under 11's today ensured that the school will be represented in this year's Under 11 A  semi-finals. Two goals from Patrick Kirby set the Well on the road to victory; while a save by another Patrick (Patrick Kiely)  in the dying minutes, which deflected over the crossbar for a point, secured the result for the Well, in a very tight finish. Well done to Mr Bulfin and his rapidly improving team!

Standardised Testing Information

Re: Drumcondra Tests

Please note that pupils from 2^nd, 4^th, & 6^th Classes will be undertaking a second set of standardised tests this year. The Drumcondra Tests which will be administered before the end of this term are similar to the Micra T and Sigma T Tests (i.e. standardised tests of achievement in reading and mathematics, designed for pupils in Irish primary schools).

Pupils in 1^st, 3^rd and 5^th Classes will undertake the Drumcondra Primary Reading Test this term.

Fees applicable:

1^st, 3^rd &5^th Classes -- €2.50 per pupil

2^nd, 4^th & 6^th Classes -- €5.00 per pupil

Results of these tests will be included in pupils' end of year school reports.  

Competitive camogie season over

Hard luck to our camogie team who were defeated by An Mhodhscoil in yesterday's play-off for a place in this year's U-13 A semi-final!

Remembering Victims of Famine

Remembering Ireland's Great Famine—and all victims of famine, everywhere in the world

Pupils in all primary and secondary schools in Ireland have been asked to observe a minute's silence at noon today as a mark of respect and to reflect on the current issue of famine and hunger worldwide.

By taking this time to remember our own history of famine we can also raise awareness of hunger issues around the world.

The devastation caused by the Great Famine in Ireland has shaped our attitude to famine experienced in the world today and, hopefully, it will inspire us to continue to respond generously when others suffer the horrors of famine.

The hand-bell will ring in the school at 12.00 noon today to mark the start of the minute's silence.

Victory for Under 11 hurlers

Well done to our Under 11's who defeated Sexton St. CBS in a close game.
Final score:
Patrickswell NS  2-3
Sexton St.           1-1

School closed next Monday and Tuesday

Reminder--
The school will be closed on Monday & Tuesday (May 6th & 7th).

Fantastic Award for Patrickswell N.S.

News has just come in that the school has won a very prestigious AWARD OF SCIENCE AND MATHS EXCELLENCE !!!  This is a FIRST for the school! Well done to Ms Ruth Gallagher and her Fifth Class pupils who spearheaded and coordinated the school's application for the award.

The following is an extract from the message received in the school this afternoon from the people at Discover Primary Science and Maths:

'Congratulations -- all your hard work has paid off! Your school has achieved a Discover Primary Science and Maths Award of Science and Maths Excellence for the 2012/13 academic year.
Thanks to all involved for participating; the assessment team were very excited to see all the hard work done by teachers and students. The standard of log books and the wide variety of science and maths work being carried out is very impressive; it is clear that teachers and pupils are using a wide range of resources and engaging in hands-on investigation in the classroom and beyond...
...Your plaque will be sent directly to the school in the next few weeks.
Maths; it IS rocket science!'

Mr. Crowe, when congratulating Ms Gallagher and Fifth Class for their leadership and all their hard work on this major project, told them that the achievement of this award is just as big a deal and just as outstanding as earning a Green Flag for the school!

Isn't GOOD news GREAT!

Mrs Philly Remembered during first ever Grandparents' Day at Patrickswell N.S.

First ever Grandparents' Day in Patrickswell N.S.

(dedicated to “Mrs Philly “)

The Board of Management of Patrickswell N.S.would like to thank everybody who helped make the recent celebration of the late Mrs Philly O Brien's 27 years of dedicated service to Patrickswell N.S. such a dignified and memorable occasion. The celebrations were twinned with the school's first ever Grandparents' Day which also proved to be a wonderful success.

The Board acknowledges the voluntary work of Mr Willie Fenton who oversaw the landscaping, tree-planting and erection of the stone plaque bearing the message, “In memory of Mrs Phil O Brien, a caring and hard-working friend of Patrickswell National School”. The plaque was kindly donated by Adare Stone Yard. Sincere gratitude is also due to Phil Bennis, Eoghan Bennis, Ciaran Carey, Mike Mullane, Neilus Hayes and Liam Fenton who gave their time and/or donated materials to ensure everything looked well for the official unveiling of the plaque.

Guests of honour at the unveiling were Sean and Teresa Downey, Terence, Mike, Helen, Margaret and Matthew O Brien, Bridget Moloney, Catherine and Katie Keogh--all members of the late Mrs. O Brien's family. Also in attendance were the late Mrs O Brien's friends and neighbours from Marian Park and further afield. Prior to the unveiling of the plaque, Mr. P.J. O Grady (Chairman of the Board of Management) and Monsignor Michael Lane (former Chairman of the Board) led the tributes to their late friend, “Mrs Philly,” as she was affectionately know by all the pupils in the school. Both regaled the large attendance with tales of “Mrs. Philly's” life and times. Mrs O'Brien's care for the school and her genuine concern for the pupils and staff shone through every story. The memories shared on the day went some way towards explaining the deep affection in which 'Mrs Philly' was held by all who knew her. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam dílis.

A great number of the pupils' grandparents were present for the unveiling of the plaque. The grandparents themselves were the centre of attention on April 26^th also, as they were invited to the school by their grandchildren for a concert in their honour in the School Hall. After the singing, dancing, music, poetry recitals and storytelling, the pupils and their grandparents visited the classrooms to read together, look at project work and share stories about school-days past and present. After that everybody went to the School Hall for a buffet organised by the school's Parents' Association and staff.

Many remarked that all that was missing on the day was Mrs O Brien herself. However, on this very special occasion, she was overseeing proceedings from a slightly loftier vantage point than her usual spot in the corner of the School Hall, just out of view! Running the rule over school (and church) occasions from a discrete position was customary for “Mrs Philly” during her long and deeply appreciated association with the school. Gan dabht ar bith, ní bheidh a leithéad ann arís!

Olo Cup Result for April 30th

In a close encounter of the hurling kind, Patrickswell NS lost out to Scoil Chriost Ri by two points. The final score from Na Piarsaigh GAA Grounds was:

S.C.R. 1-02
Patrickswell NS 0-03

The 'Well had chances to win but a combination of good goalkeeping and bad luck prevented our lads from notching the goal that would have won the match for them. It should be mentioned, though, that at the other end of the field, goalie P. Buston made a few vital interventions.

Patrickswell's scores : C. Carroll (0-2, 0-1 [f]), J. Kirby (0-1)

Next up for both teams are the Olo Cup semi-finals. The other semi finalists will be TWO of the following three: J.F.K. School. Monaleen N.S., Ballybrown NS. The semi-finals will be played during the week of May 20-24.