WATER POLO GLORY
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What a season it has been for St. Aidan's Water Polo team. We won 3 of the cups that we
entered this year. Our first outing was in St. Joseph's, Cabra, in the Leinster Senior
Cup. Our performance guaranteed us a place in the All-Ireland senior final. On January
31 st, the All-Ireland Championships took place in the National Aquatic Centre.
This team possessed some of the countries top players including Eoin Bridgeman and John
Kelly. We eased through the group stages and we saw off the formidable St. Joseph's in
the semi's. This set us up for the final against R.B.A.I Belfast. Ken Tucker gave us a
good team talk and we went into the final ready for battle. The outcome was 9-4 to Aidan's
with captain Sean Kenna, Eoin Bridgeman, John Kelly and Aidan O'Boyle performing well on
the day.
We went to the Leinster Junior Cup with the most enviable of teams. Again getting through
the group stages easily, we met C.U.S in the final. Our encouraging caoch, Alan O'Neill sent
his troops raring for battle. We won comprehensively with Donnacha
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Murphy, Colin Daly and Sean Byrne all playing well in the final and in doing so qualifying
for the Junior All-Ireland championships.
They would take place in Belfast on February 28 th. Confidence in the camp was
hign as the team headed North. John Kelly dismantled defences as we cruised through teh group
stages. The semi-final was an epic battle, but the final was always in sight as Sean Kenna
and Eoin Bridgeman brought their 'A' game to the pool. This set up a mouth-watering clash
with St. Malachy's, Belfast. After a serious 'G-up', we won the match 10-5. What a way to
end a perfect year.
We will not be handing back these titles without a serious Aidan's fight!
Special thanks to Ken Tucker for all his help and Alan O'Neill as he inspired his teams to
victory. Roll on next year!
Sean Kenna
Thanks also to all the parents that helped out on our journey - John Bridgeman, Sean
Kenna Sr., Phil Kelly and Mrs. Murphy.
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Mountain Running Glory
Congratulations to Colm Murray and Tony Kavanagh who recently competed in the All-Ireland
Mountain Running championships in Cork. Tony finished first and Colm finished third in this
truly gruelling event This guarantees them a place for on the Irish team for the World
Ironman Mountain Running Championships in Turin in June. Their teammate Mark McDonald has also
been selected for the Irish cross-country team.We wish them all the best as they represent
their school and their country with pride.
U16 Football
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The U-16 football team reached the semi-finals of the Dublin A competition. Despite being
handed a difficult group and a couple of tricky away fixtures, we came second in the group
after defeating Malahide CS.Ardscoil Ris and St. Fintan's. Of these the highlight was surely
the victory over near neighbours and rivals Ardscoil. Despite having to travel the extensive
and arduous journey to their patch, we scored 5-14 and played some magnificent football, even
though injuries robbed us of some key players. Our only loss was suffered at the hands of St
David's, but this game was in 'fortress Artane' and contained
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some highly questionable refereeing decisions.
Unfortunately, St Declan's were too strong for us in the semi-final, but the lads produced a
spirited comeback against a side who went on to win the Dublin title.
The attitude and commitment shown by some of the panel was exemplary, with wejl over twenty
players training most days. It is not easy to spend time in the subs, but a unified spirit was
shown by these fellows and is most commendable. Best of luck next year in U-16 and senior.
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GAELIC FOOTBALL REVIEW
It was a good year for the schools Gaelic football squads. A number of new, exciting players entered
the school last September and they got stuck in from the word go. Our under I4's were successful in
the group stages of the championship, however they were unlucky to be beaten in the semi-finals
against a strong team from Colaiste Eoin, Stillorgan. Well done to inspirational captain Bobby Dennan
and star men John Black, John Small, Kevin Reilly, Kevin Aughney, Shane Kennedy, Aaron Kelly and Niall
O'Donnell.
Our under I6's also reached the semi-finals of the Dublin 'A' competition, after seeing off Ard Scoil
and St. Fintan's. Unfortunately St. Declan's were too strong for us in the semis, the team that would
eventually go on to win the competition. The attitude and commitment of the players was exemplary, with
well over twenty men showing up to each training session.
Our under I6's also reached the semi-finals of the Dublin 'A' competition, after seeing off Ard Scoil
and St. Fintan's. Unfortunately St. Declan's were too strong for us in the semis, the team that would
eventually go on to win the competition. The attitude and commitment of the players was exemplary, with
well over twenty men showing up to each training session.
In summary, it was clear from all competitions that great effort and enthusiasm were invested. When we
couple this with the wealth of talent we have in the school, we look to next year with excitement and
fervour. Thanks to all the teaching staff that invested a lot of time and energy over the past" few
months. Best of luck to all footballers in forthcoming club competitions.
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Marathon Madness
Spare a thought for the 5 teachers taking part in the 'Connemarathon' during the Easter break. The
teachers will be competing in the half-marathon on April 1st in the wilds of Connemara and
they will be running for the 'Peter McVerry Trust'.
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St Aidan's CBS, Whitehall, Dublin, Ireland
