Ursuline Thurles Contest First Ever All Ireland Football Title
The Ursuline Senior Footballers made history on Bank Holiday Monday, 18 March when they contested the first ever All Ireland Title in LGFA for the School. They played St Attracta’sTubercurry. The team, under the tutelage of MrMcLoughlin and Ms Long, travelled to St Aidan’s GAA, Ballyforan, Roscommon for the 2pm kick off. It was neck and neck in the opening half and at the end of Ursuline headed to the sideline a point ahead, 1-05 -104 and very happy to have held their own against the Connaught Champions. However, the second half was a much tougher battle for the Tipp girls as they saw their fragile lead slip away. UCT managed five points in the following thirty minutes while Tubercurry came right back into contention with two goals and 8 points. The final score was 3-12 – 1-10 in Sligo favour. The School is so proud of this bunch of Senior players in particular, many whom were also involved in the recent All Ireland A Camogie Final against Loreto Kilkenny in February. The Sixth Year dual stars have been so dedicated to Ursuline GAA sports teams during their time in the School and everyone would like to thank them for all the enjoyment and thrilling momentsthey have given on the field over these past six years.
Basketball
Congratulations to the Ursuline Second Year Basketball team who are the South East Champions after beating Cashel Community School on Wednesday, 13 March. It was a comprehensive 34-11win which now sees them through to the All-Ireland Qualifiers to be played after Easter. Well done to coaches Ms Ryall and MsMulqueen who have done tremendous work this year with the First and Second Year Basketball teams.
ARTiculation
Well done to Ursuline TY student Lily Murphy who competed in the County Final of the ARTiculation Public Speaking Competition. This is run by the County Museum and Lily gave a ten-minute presentation in Clonmel on Thursday, 14 March on the Cartoon Saloon filmSong of the Sea.She gave a powerful and passionate speech on this 2014 animated tale involving magic, Irish folklore and legend, finishing as runner-up on the day, with her topic being well received by the judges.
LCMUN
The Ursuline Fifth Year and TY students who attended the Loreto Convent Model United Nations in Clonmel last week had fantastic experience learning how the United Nations operates and conducts business. They represented a variety of nations and NGO’s and discussed and amended resolutions on issues such as organ donation, colonisation and space exploration. Some of the UCT students got a chance to speak at the podium on behalf of their countries and it was an eye-opener for how difficult it is to implement change on a global scale. Many thanks to Loreto Clonmel for the invite and well done tothose who attended, Fifth Years Holly Ryan, Aisling Flynn, Rosa Ryan, Gemma Fitzgerald, Clodagh Twomey and TYs Siobhán Dowd, Cáit Browne, Chloe Fogarty, Holly Kiely, EmerCommins, Tara Rae, Maura Moran, Lily Murphy, Holly Keane, Alanna Maher, Laura Lanigan, Ciara Collins, Síofra O’Loughlin and Katherese Allen.
Chamber Choir at FeisCheoil
Well done to the Ursuline Chamber Choir who sang at FeisCeoilin the RDS in Dublin on Monday, 12 March. They were entered in two separate competitions on the day. In the Sacred Music competition, they performed This Little Babe by Britten and Pie Jesu, singing a Michael McGlynnarrangement. They received a mark of 88, with the judges giving a Very Highly Commended to the girls and their Choir Mistress, Ms Butler. In the Alice Yoakley Competition,Chamber Choir sang Eamonn an Chnoic arranged by Larchetand Let it Shine arranged by Kari Ala Pöllänen. The students have been working hard all year in Chamber Choir towards both of these competitions so well done to them on great performances in some very tough FeisCeoil categories.
Charities Committee
Thanks to the Ursuline Charities Committee who organised a charity walk to raise money for the Ursuline Schools in Kenya. The students did a 5k route around the town wearing the colours of the Kenyan flag, red, white, green and black. and raised over €1600 for this very worthy cause. Thanks to the Gardaí who helped with traffic, enabling students to navigate the route safely. Before the students and staff set off Sr Clare Ursula, who is back from Kenya after over 40 years, thanked them for the great efforts they make each year to raise funds that help young women in Kenya achieve better educational opportunities.
Hockey
Hard luck to the Ursuline First Year Blue team who lost to Presentation Thurles last week, in the Munster League. Even though they were up against it from the get go the team never let their heads drop and encouraged each other throughout the game. Well done to India Cox who took on goalkeeping duties for the first time and who made some fantastic saves.
Green Schools
The Ursuline Green Schools Committee, in an effort to promote local produce and sustainability, ran an in-school cookery competition on Thursday, 14 March. Twelve shortlisted students prepared and cooked up some nutritious lunches. Their remit, for the competition, was to useingredients sourced as close to Thurles as possible so as to keep‘ food miles’ low. Congratulations to the winners Maria Doyle and Millie Kearney, First Year and to runners up Clodagh McLoughney and EvanneSkehan, First Year, who placed third and second place Amy Reidy and Molly Butler, Second Year. Thanks very much to the local businesses who sponsored the prizes.
French Exchange to Ursuline School in Nantes
Best of luck to six Ursuline TYs who headed over to France on Saturday, 16 March. They will be attending an Ursuline Secondary School in Nantes and staying with host families. Gráinne O’Loughlin, Fiona Barry, Ella Heaney, Emma Fogarty, Maria Taaffe and Rianne Fanning hope to have a wonderful three-week adventure and get more competent in the language during their time there.