Welcome Back
Welcome back to all staff and students after the Christmas break, and a very happy New Year We would like to wish all of our Junior Cycle and Leaving Certificate students every success in their Mock Examinations, which are fast approaching, and we wish all Second and Third year students well in their upcoming Classroom Based Assessments in various subjects.
Wicklow Town Team Workshop
On Thursday, 8 January, all TY students took part in a workshop with the Wicklow Town Team. They heard about the work the team have done in the local area to encourage young people to love where they live. As part of this workshop, there is an opportunity to take part in a competition between the local schools where they can submit a TikTok video entitled ‘Love where you live’. We look forward to seeing the videos in due time.
Forensic Science Workshop
On Friday, 9 January, all TY students took part in a forensic science workshop. They heard details about the shooting of President John F. Kennedy and were taken through the corresponding investigation. They then completed their own investigation by completing worksheets while engaging with the different pieces of evidence.
CSPE Trip to Leinster House
On Friday, 9 January, 3 Bann CSPE class travelled to Leinster House, Dublin 2, for a tour of both houses of the Oireachtas, the Dáil and the Seanad. We received a very warm welcome from the ushers who showed us around government buildings and told us all about the history of Leinster House from before the foundation of the Irish State to the present day. We visited the Dáil chamber and heard about the daily workings of the Dáil. We also visited the Upper House, the Seanad. We explored some of the artwork displayed, from portraits of past Taoisigh to portraits of prominent female Teachtaí Dála, past and present, including Constance Markievicz.
Students then took part in an interactive Democracy workshop in a Dáil committee room. Students were quizzed on their knowledge of Irish democracy and had an opportunity to ask questions.
After our tour of Leinster House, we headed over to the Europa Experience on Chatham St, where we engaged in a fantastic interactive experience about the EU. Students learned all about the EU institutions and the importance of Europe today.
Ultimate Frisbee
On Thursday, 18 December, two junior teams and two girls’ teams travelled to the National Indoor Area where they each played five ultimate frisbee friendlies against other Leinster schools: John Scottus, St Fintan’s, Hartstown, St Patrick’s, Reachrann, Santa Sabina and Gonzaga.
The First year junior team struggled being separated from their more experienced teammates for the first time, but Zach Bell and Daire Mitchell stepped up, taking on the helm of captaining. As a team, their passing was good but some mistakes saw them draw one and lose four.
The Third year junior team ended the day on two wins, one draw and two losses. They had a slow start to the day but then the team really gelled. We saw some particularly impressive court-length hammers from Noah Doyle and Adam Armstrong.
The junior girls were a very inexperienced team with 50% of players debuting for CCM today. They struggled in the morning to get used to the self-referred element of the game and to convert points. However, effort levels never dropped, and they lost their last match by just one point to a strong Patrick’s side. Their great attitude and willingness to learn the rules saw them win spirit in the girls’ division, bringing home a trophy for the cabinet in CCM.
The highlight of the day was the senior girls’ team who went 5-0 for the day, beating even the current national champions Santa Sabina. Their defence was astounding, no disc went uncontested and they had really sticky hands, bringing down everything. We are looking forward to seeing how they get on at the Leinster Girls’ Cup in February.
Junior Girls GAA
Our Junior Girls had a hard-fought match at home on Tuesday, 6 January, vs St. David’s Greystones. Our defence put up a great battle for Greystones’ forwards, but they proved too much for them on the day. Our performance improved in the second half with brilliant endurance from Summer Fitzsimmons up and down the pitch. Our scorers on the day were Mya Crean Dunne, Olivia Guinan and Jan Musiol.
It was our First years’ first outing with the school and they represented the school very well in their excellent performances. Well done to Sophie Healy, Olivia Guinan and Sadhbh Fitzsimons.
Senior Rugby
The Senior Rugby team travelled to Tullow on Wednesday, 7 January, for the opening round of the McMullen Shield, delivering a strong performance against a tough Wexford CBS, who were short a couple of key players.
From the opening whistle, CCM established dominance through a disciplined and cohesive team effort. Captain, Kieran Armstrong, led the forward pack, providing a solid platform for half-backs Daniel Clarke and Darragh Healy to control the early stages and allow CCM to remain in charge of the tempo throughout the match.
While it was a strong collective effort, special mention must go to Ewan Meyer and Rahim Ahmed for their standout individual performances. This victory on the road successfully secures CCM a place in the McMullen Shield quarter-final. The squad now awaits the winners of the fixture between Gorey CS and Pres DLS Bagenalstown.
Thanks to Olly Quinn, Callum Reid and CJ Armstrong for their help on the day.
Junior Rugby
On Thursday, 8 January, CCM Juniors made history at Wanderers FC with a superb 60-minute performance to record the school’s first-ever win in the Father Godfrey Cup.
From the outset, strong carries by Eoin Treanor and captain, Luke Connolly, set the tone, causing constant problems for the St Fintan’s defence. Early tries from Alex McKenna and Josh Callery, along with a conversion from Alex Healy, gave CCM a 12–5 lead after fifteen minutes.
Following a St Fintan’s score, CCM responded immediately with a brilliant breakaway try, started by Luke Connolly and finished in the corner by Daniel Connolly to extend the lead to 17–5. Despite sustained pressure from Fintan’s, CCM’s defence stood firm. Alex Healy controlled play superbly, and a forced error deep in the Fintan’s 22 allowed McKenna to crash over for his second try, with Healy converting to make it 22–5 at half-time.
The second half mirrored the first, with Eoin Treanor scoring an outstanding individual try, again converted by Healy. Josh Callery followed up with a well-earned try before Man of the Match, Alex Healy, sealed the result by gathering his own chip kick to score under the posts and convert, pushing the score to 43–12.
St Fintan’s added a deserved late try, but Alex McKenna rounded off a memorable afternoon by slotting the final penalty to secure a 46–17 victory.
A historic win for CCM Juniors, who now progress to the next round where they will face Castleknock College.Thanks to Olly Quinn, Jack Duffy and Calum Reid for their help on the day.
Senior GAA
CCM: 1-11 - Scoil Dara Kilcock: 6-12
CCM exited the South Leinster Senior GAA competition at the quarter-final stages with a defeat to Scoil Dara Kilcock on Thursday, 8 January. CCM began the game slower of the two sides, conceding an early 1-2 with Kilcock putting huge pressure on from the get-go. Pointed frees from Zack Nichols and Jack O'Leary got CCM on the scoreboard as CCM grew into the half, but good defensive work and play up the field unfortunately never resulted in needed scores while Kilcock kept their own scoreboard ticking with another 1-5. A goal from Zack on the stroke of halftime gave CCM a lifeline, leaving the score at 1-2 to 2-7.
CCM started brightly in the second half, rattling off early scores with points from Zack (2) and Jack (2). However, Kilcock responded themselves with goals and sustained attacks resulting in scores that built up a comfortable lead that CCM, unfortunately, could not catch. CCM battled well until the end and never stopped trying. Points from Harry Butler (2), NJ Sinnott (2) and Liam Cawley left the final score at 1-11 to 6-12, while great individual displays from Sean O'Brien, Finn Richardson and Liam Cawley kept the team driving on.
The team now focuses on the upcoming Wicklow A Championship semi-final in the coming weeks.
Thanks to St Pat’s for the use of pitch and facilities in Dunbur and referee, Kieron Kenny, on the day.
