Rural Ireland Stands Proud- Two Teams Among Best Eight in Ireland

The Castleisland Community College senior team. Front from left: Mikaela Buckley, Tara Kerin, Emma Kerin, Katie Kerins, Máire Collins and Rachel O’Sullivan. Back row: Anna Kerin, manager; Abbie Mahony, Leah Boyle, Miriam O’Connell, Rachel Murphy, Shauna Tangney, Mollie Mahony, Keeva Aherne, Denny Porter and Yvonne Rice.
The Castleisland Community College Junior Team, front from left: Keeva Aherne, Eilís Enright, Amy McCarthy, Ciara Shanahan, Mickaela Buckley, Emma O Donoghue and Katie Kerins. Back from left: Yvonne Rice, Grace O’Callaghan, Anna Lee Crowley, Amber Fleming, Tara Kerin, Ella Killington, Marykate Culhane, Shauna Mc Carthy, Kayleigh Barrett, Bella Harmon, Mollie Mahony and Anna Kerin.

Castleisland Community College is celebrating the recent outstanding achievements of its junior and senior basketball girls teams.

Both teams played in the ’A’ division of the All Ireland Schools Basketball Quarter finals. This meant both teams were among the top eight school girls, basketball teams in Ireland.

No other school had two teams at both junior and senior levels in the ‘A’ division quarter finals. Both teams had won the South West Regional Division deciders to reach the All Ireland quarter finals.

An Amazing Achievement

Principal Teresa Lonergan that it is, without doubt, an amazing achievement for rural Ireland and for Castleisland Community College.

“The school has a total of 307 students with 150 girls. Both teams faced schools from large urban centres. The senior team played against Loreto Secondary School Kilkenny with a pool of 950 girls to choose from whilst the junior team played Scoil Chríost Secondary School, Portlaoise with a pool of 997 girls,” said Ms. Lonergan.

“This achievement is surely a testament to the dedication and talent of their hard-working coach Denny Porter and the players themselves.

Excelled in Team Spirit

“Their managers Yvonne Rice and Anna Kerin also deserve recognition for their drive, encouragement and determination in getting the girls to such a high standard of play.

“Both teams excelled in team spirit and were great support to one another. The camaraderie and friendships developed illustrated what playing a team sport is all about.

“Despite not winning, the players have remained upbeat and haven’t forgotten the seanfhocal: Beidh lá eile ag an bPaorach. Maith sibh,” arsa an príomhoide.

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