Captain of the Irish Youths Rugby Team, Tadhg Furlong.

Tadhg  Furlong, 6th year, this week flew to Treviso, Italy with the Irish Youths Rugby squad to play in the European Championships. Tadhg was bestowed with the further honour of being named captain of the side before they left, something which will come as no surprise to all us who know him in the school. It is a great honour for himself, his family and the New Ross club and all in Good Counsel wish him and the team well.
 
Continuing the rugby theme, congratulations to the school Junior team who won the Leinster Junior Section A Shield during the week, beating St. Patricks, Navan in the final. The game ended dramatically as Good Counsel trailed by a point with a minute remaining when they were awarded a penalty. Robert Vallejo displayed nerves of steel, however, to send the ball between the posts from a difficult angle and ensure victory for the Counsel boys. Particular thanks to the coaches, Mr. McGinley and Ms. Langton for all their work and committment.

Congratulations and best wishes also go to Nicholas Murphy, 3rd year, who has been selected on the Irish U-15 Badminton team to compete in a quadrangular event in Llanelli, Wales on April 22nd to 26th next. Also competing in the event is the home country along with England and Scotland. There will be both team and individual competitions and  for Nicholas to have reached this level is a testament to his dedication to the sport.

Preparations for the joint school musical production of 'Les Miserables' have intensified as the cast and crew prepare for the opening night on April 21st. There are a number of rehearsals scheduled during the Easter break highlighting again the committment of staff and students. The show runs until April 25th and promises to be an outstanding success. Continued good wishes to all those involved.

Two speakers from Alcoholics Anonymous this week addressed the 5th year group in a very worthwhile presentation on the dangers of Alcohol. As recovering alcoholics themselves, the speakers related their own experiences, and their humility and honesty was inspiring and could not fail to have an impact on anyone who heard them.

Finally, from all in Good Counsel College, may we wish everyone a very happy Easter. Continue Reading...

Second term almost over - hard to believe - with just one week to the Easter Break. This week, punctuated by St Patricks Day, was another busy one with plenty of activity around the school. Leaving cert mock orals took place, guest speakers visited, the under 14 hurlers were in action and Fr Collander with his band of apprentice farmers from TY got the 'dung' spread in the vegetable garden.

Having got a load of farmyard manure delivered early in the week, and with the drop of rain arriving on Thursday, there was frenetic work going on behind the assembly hall as Fr. Collander and his TY team prepared the earth for planting. As the last few students made their way off the campus on Friday evening, the school chaplain was being towed around the patch of ground by a rotavator. If this piece of earth does not prove bountiful, there is little hope for the future of agriculture in this country.


On Saturday last the school hosted the All Ireland Inter Schools Hunter Trials in Bagenalstown and with 83 teams of 3 entered and over 415 in the singles events, it was a huge undertaking. With the co-operation of the weather, the day's activities went off on schedule. The enormous amount of work involved was undertaken on a voluntary basis by parents, staff, past pupils, students and friends of the college. We are very grateful to all of them for their time and expertise.
Kilkenny College took the honours in the team event winning all first 3 prizes, a remarkable achievement. The senior singles title was retained by Paddy Fitzharris of Tullow CS while one of our own, Cian Aylward landed the Junior Singles. Cian's brother Shane took 3rd in the Senior singles to make it a memorable day for the Graiguenamanagh family.
To all those who represented the school in the Hunter Trials, a big thank you and especially to Ms Wessley for her work in organising.
Details of results can be found on the School website homepage while a report with some photos can be accessed in the sports reports section.

All Ireland Junior Singles Champion, Cian Aylward Continue Reading...

Rehearsals continue for the school musical, Les Miserables, which is being put on as a joint production with St Marys in St Michael's Theatre from April 21st to 25th inclusive.

The Transition Year group took to the mountains of Wicklow on Thursday and Friday with Teachers Mr. Coffey, Mr. McDonald and Mr. Moran. They undertook an 18Km hike on the first day, and after a sleepover in the Glendalough hostel, went on to complete another 10km on Friday,. With clear but cool weather the group had ideal conditions for their expedition which was undertaken as part of their An Gaisce awards. Particular thanks to Mr Coffey for his work in setting this up.

Tomorrow, Sat. 13th the school hosts the All Ireland Inter Schools Hunter Trials in Bagenalstown. A huge amount of work has gone into the preparation of this event,. The level of voluntary work being undertaken by parents, past pupils and friends of the college is staggering. A thank you also to Miss Wessley for all the time she has put in to collating entries and contact details. It promises to be a great occassion .

Next week 5th years will have an opportunity to hear a presentation from a nurse on Male Health matters, Thanks to Ms Bolger for organising this valuable service.

The Junior Rugby team have qualified for the Leinster sheild final in which they will play St. Patricks, Navan.

A reminder again of the Cookery Evening with Phelim Byrne which the parents' council have organised for Friday night next, March 19th. Tickets are available from parents' council members or directly from the college. Continue Reading...

For the finishing times in the 3 events of the All Ireland Inter Schools Hunter Trials held on March 13th last, click on the links below.

These pages show finishing times only and do not take into account any penalties for knocks, refusals or any other matters. On behalf of everyone at Good Counsel College, may we thank  all those who participated for their courtesy and co-operation. We also thank all those volunteers who gave of their time and expertise to make this event possible.

Teams of 3 - Times
Junior Singles - Times
Senior Singles - Times
Schools Hunter Trials - Results

A report on the event can be found in the Sports Reports section of this website.
Photographs from Saturdays event may be viewed on Hoofprints.ie. Continue Reading...

U-14 Captain, Dylan Carthy Walsh raises the Cup.
Pride of place in this week's news must go to the U-14 Football team who landed the Leinster A title on Wednesday last beating St. Mels of Longford with a stunning second half performance. A full report on the game can be found in the sports news section of this website. Continue Reading...