All Ireland Cross Country Athletics Gold for the Ursuline Minor Team
A huge congratulations to the Ursuline Minor athletes who won team gold for the school last weekend in Belfast at the All Ireland Post Primary Cross Country Championships. This team finished in a commendable second place in the Munster Schools Competition and so travelled to Belfast with high hopes of a medal placing. The girls were led home by a fantastic fourth place individual finish from Grace Power. Completing the scoring three was Beíbhínn Pamplin in twenty-first and Aisling Carr, in thirty-third. This was enough to pip Skerries Community College by two points to take the top place podium spot. This leading trio were ably backed up by solid runs from Ally Cummins, Lauren Ryan and Freya Barry, who all played their part in the historic achievement. This is only the second time the School has won the All Ireland Minor Cross Country team gold.
After the high of the Minors, the Junior Team took to the line ready to give it their all. In a competitive field, Grace Fennelly, in thirty-eight place, led the team to a commendable sixth place finish with Robyn O Reilly and Olivia Lynch completing the scoring three. Mention must be given to Sarah Carey, Jennifer Collins, Muireann Casey, Aifric Mockler and Carra Molloy who all put great effort into a tough race. This group are more than capable of challenging for All Ireland medals in future years.
Caoimhe Slevin was the Ursuline’s sole competitor in the Intermediate All Ireland Final. Caoimhe ran a well-paced intelligent race throughout. She will gain a huge amount of benefit from her experience at this level, given she is young enough for this age group again next year.
Alana Spillane togged out in the Ursuline singlet for the Senior race. This is Alana’s last schools’ cross country race and she finished in an excellent twenty-second place. She put herself into a prominent position in the main pack from the outset and battled all the way to the line. Well done, Alanna. She has been an incredible athlete representing UCT at all levels, hail, rain or shine.
Thanks to all the parents and club coaches who travelled up to support the Ursuline girls. Credit too to the school’s Athletics Coaches, Mr Corbett, Ms Delargy and Mr McDonnell, whose support and guidance sees All Ireland team honours return to the school for the first time in over ten years.
County Final Tipperary Student Enterprise Competition.
Well done the Ursuline team behind the mini-company Hurley Holders who competed in the County Final of the Tipperary Student Enterprise Awards on Friday, 6 March in TUS Thurles Campus. Emily Feehan, Maria Phelan and one of UCT’s international students, from Spain, Marta Cayon. The girl’s product, a prototype of an attractive shelf for stowing hurleys, sliothars and helmets, keeping them off the floor, stored tidily and within reach was a big hit, with plenty of interest shown in their business idea. Well done to them and their mini-company teacher Ms Loughnane.
Certified Irish Angus Beef Schools National Final
Congratulations to the Ursuline Certified Irish Angus Beef Schools Competition National Finalists who cut their skiing trip in Italy short to attend this prestigious competition in Croke Park on Friday, 6 March. Máire Kearney, Cliodhna Farrell and Mary Kate Fogarty, along with their Agricultural Science teacher, Mr O Heney, represented the Ursuline Thurles with their innovative project focused on tackling the incidence of TB in Ireland.
Their concept explored how Agri-tech can help reduce TB incidence through a monitoring system that incorporates drone, water sensors, grass testers and surveillance cameras. These tools send continuous data to a mobile app, helping farmers identify TB risks and protect herd health. Well done to the team on presenting this inventive project to a panel of experts and expertly answering all their questions.
Concern Debating
The Ursuline Concern Debating team overcame tough opposition in Sandford Park Dublin recently to make it through to the quarter-final stage of this national competition. They will now face their next opponents in person rather than onscreen, being one the last eight teams left standing in the country. This is the third consecutive year that the Ursuline have made it past the preliminary rounds to the reach the quarter-finals. The team that beat Sandford included Lily Murphy, Sixth Year, Lily Marchand, Éabha Cahill and Trudy Wilson, Fifth Year who were mentored in all rounds by Ms Downey.
Ursuline TY Ski Trip to Italy
The Ursuline welcomed the TY skiers back down to sea level after their mountainous adventures in the Italian Alps. They had a great time and a fantastic adventure. For some it was their first time tackling the slopes while others had the basics mastered before they set off. Either way everyone had an enjoyable week long holiday in the snow. Thanks to the teachers Ms Barlow, Ms Mulqueen, Ms Spillane, Ms Fahey, Ms White, Ms Kearney and Ms O’Shea who accompanied them and minded them and to Ms Barlow for taking on the logistics of organising it.
Hockey
Well done to the Ursuline First Year Hockey players who showed great skill, teamwork and determination from the first whistle to the last at the Rockwell Blitz last week.
Game 1 vs Rockwell – a brilliant start with a 2–0 win, thanks to goals from Leah Scanlan and Grace Power.
Game 2 vs Ashton – UCT kept the momentum going, winning 3–0 with scores from Emily O’Donnell, Leah Scanlan and Kamryn O’Connor.
Game 3 vs Villiers – a superb team performance to finish, securing a 4–0 victory with goals from Grace Power, Freya Barry, Leah Scanlan and Ciara Doyle.
Rugby
Recently Ursuline Junior Rugby team played Fethard for the second time this season. Having narrowly lost out in the previous league encounter, the girls were determined to make amends this time in the Munster Shield Quarter-Final. That hard fought win saw this team face into the Munster Shield Semi Final last week.
After a hugely competitive first half UCT reached the break with a 5-0 lead courtesy of a Sophie O' Dwyer try. Fethard roared back to life in the second half, scoring two tries in quick succession. The Ursuline Juniors now found themselves 12-5 down. The girls showed massive determination and resolve to score two fantastic tries in the final quarter, with Sophie Wallace and Abi Callanan going over. Despite some nervy moments in the final few minutes, they held on for a well-deserved victory, 17-12. Overall, it was a fantastic team effort. Particular mention must go Sophie Wallace who stepped up as Captain when it mattered most.