The annual Kilkenny College Transition Year Tractor Run rolled back into Kilkenny College last Thursday evening. Following a two year absence due to Covid, it was a welcome site on campus. While there had been two virtual runs in 2020 and 2021,the sights and sounds were back to normal. This yearly fundraiser was organised by a small but hard working TY group headed up by Claudia Gill. The nominated charity was LauraLynn Children's Hospice
Speaking at the conclusion of the run ,TY’s Claudia Gill said; “This would not have been possible without help from many people. JVW Transport have been very good to us for the last 10 years allowing us to gather safely and depart from their yard. Kilkenny Gardaí Community Policing Unit have again supported us. I like to thank Garda Aidan Fitzpatrick and Garda Andrew Neill for their help. Mr Denis McEvoy of Volvo McCarthy Commercials has always been on standby in the event of a breakdown but thankfully again we did not need him. It is re-assuring to know that he is there if needed”.
The 49 tractors included a TY restored 1982 Deutz .The 16km run came in the Carlow Road from Gowran along the hard shoulder before turning right down the Ring Road. It was a short run along the Castlecomer Road before a noisy reception awaited the drivers in Kilkenny College. As well as the 450 boarders who were on hand, a large number of day pupils and members of the school community turned out to welcome the drivers back to school.
The Hegarty Transition Year Tractor Run Cup was awarded to Sam Massey of Form 6. Sam was joined on the evening by his parents. The judges were William Hutchinson, Bryan Harris Robin Wallace and Bryan Daniels who all have extensive agricultural experience and are past pupils of the College. The girls and boys raised €6300 for LauraLynn Children's Hospice
Thanks to all who supported.
As term draws to a close today the traditional winter sports of hockey and rugby conclude their seasons. Of course, pride of place this term must go to badminton players. Our girls had silver All Ireland badminton success this term, while our F1 Boys are All Ireland Champions.
We have had many hockey and rugby finals and play-offs this past few weeks. There are 17 girls hockey teams and 4 boys hockey teams in the College. We have 13 boys rugby teams with a girls junior and a senior girls squad. On any given day ,our pitches are busy. Hockey players have represented Leinster South, Connacht and Leinster, as well as development squads. We have boys and girls training with Leinster rugby teams and development squads also. All players in all codes have been busy since last August. Well done to all players and their coaches.
The Equestrian Club continues to re-build post covid. One highlight this year was Martha Hughes Bravo competing in The Iberian League.
Within our school community we have had a number of standout successes this term and in no particular order here are some of the highlights.
Ellie McLoughlin Class 2019 & Yasmin Pratt Class 2018
Both Carlow girls who were boarders were in South Africa with Irish U21 Hockey this past week.Ellie plays in goal while Yasmin plays as a forward .Ellie is currently studying Sports Science in UCD where she also plays her club hockey. Yasmin plays her club hockey with Loreto (Dublin) and is studying Media and Communications at Carlow IT.
Amy Hancock and Emma Simmons Form 4 students
Both girls have been selected for the Irish U16 Hockey for a trip to Zwolle Netherlands next week ,with further trips planned for the summer. Amy is a day pupil from Carlow while Emma is a boarder from Wexford.
Nichola Fryday Class of 2013
From County Offaly Nichola is a former boarder. She currently is playing her rugby with Exeter Chiefs. With a degree in Food and Agri Business Management, Nichola previously worked with Kerry Foods. This weekend sees Nichola captain Ireland Women’s team for the 3rd time when they take on Scotland in Cork’s Musgrave Park. This will be Nichola’s 25th cap.
Tamilore Anwonusi Class of 2017
Tamilore is also a former boarder from Carlow .Tamilore has represented Ireland 7’s and this week was again selected to play for Ireland 7’s in World 7's Restart in Singapore.
Tamilore is currently studying in Political Science and Pre-Law at Trinity University Canada.
Charlie Tector Class of 2020
Charlie recently won an U20 Grand Slam with Ireland starting all five games at out-half.
With home games at Musgrave Park Cork against Wales Italy and Scotland ,the Irish U20’s also secured wins on the road against England and France .Most notably with the last play of the game, Charlie kicked an 81st minute conversation against France to win the game in Aix-en-Provence. Charlie also secured a Man of the Match Award against England.
From Rathnure in Co Wexford, Charlie is studying Agricultural Science at UCD and playing his club rugby with Lansdowne RFC.
Martin Mulhall Class of 2015
From Kilkenny, Martin recently played Premiership Cup rugby with Saracens His current team is Swansea University. Martin has signed a contract for next season with Bristol Bears Martin is currently completing his masters in Sports Business Management at Swansea University.
Stephen Smith and Sean Naughton Form 5 students
Both Sean at 10 and Stephen at 8 have had a very good season with the Kilkenny College Senior XV. Both boys have been part of Leinster Development programmes. Having secured starts with Leinster U18 ,the boys are away in France over the Easter break with Irish School U18 Rugby Squad Both boys are boarders in Wolfe House, Sean is from Kildare while Stephen is from Carlow.
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We congratulate Charlie Tector on his recent involvement in the Irish U20 6 Nations games. Charlie started against Wales in Ireland’s 50 point win in Cork and then the following week he kicked the winning conversion of a last minute try in a tense game to give the Irish side a famous away win in France.
Charlie started his rugby in the minis section of Enniscorthy RFC before playing 5 years of Schools Cup rugby in Kilkenny College, 2 years at JCT level and 3 years at SCT level. Charlie currently plays his rugby for Lansdowne FC and is involved in the age grade Leinster Rugby programme.
Charlie was a talented player from his first day in first year but more importantly he was a hard working, dedicated and respectful young man during his time in Kilkenny College. We acknowledge all the work that Charlie, his coaches and indeed his team mates, teachers and boarding staff contributed during his time in Kilkenny College and we wish Charlie continued success during this years 6 Nations and in his future rugby career.
It is a fantastic achievement to represent your country and we have no doubt that Charlie will continue to represent himself, his family, his clubs and his school with pride and distinction in the remaining games.
Kilkenny College had four students in the Engineering and Technology Teacher’s Association National Competitions 2021 over the weekend.
Daniel Neale and Aaron Langrell were in the National Young Engineer Competition Higher Level Competition.
Tim cope and Troy Pienaar were in the National Young Technologist Leaving Cert Higher Level Competition.
Each student were awarded a certificate of Distinction for competing in the National Final.
Troy Pienaar was the 2nd prize Winner of the National Young Technologist Leaving Cert Higher Level Competition held in TUS:MMW Athlone Campus last weekend.
Further pictures can be found here
Inaugurated in 1960,the annual Liffey Descent is a major event in the kayaking calendar. Run over 33kms it features 10 weirs between Straffan Co Kildare and Islandbridge in Dublin. Thrown in for good measure is a feature called “Portage” which involves leaving the water and carrying your boat around an obstacle.The obstacle in question in this particular event is the Hydro Electric Power Station at Leixlip.The 500m “run” adds to the challenge.
Last Saturday Form 5’s Adam Pender (16) was one of two 16 year olds to enter the senior mens ranks for the first time. Competing in the K1 Class Adam competed the course in a highly competitive 2hrs and 32 minutes. A member of Kilkenny Aqua Canoe Club as well as Thomastown Paddlers, Adam has a very bright future ahead of him in his chosen sport.
Pictured is Adam at Straffan Weir and subsequently with Olympians Paul and Gary O’Donovan.
Girls Hockey Coaches 2021-2022 |
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Teams |
Coaches |
Training Days |
Senior 1st |
Mr. Harding |
Mon & Thurs |
Senior 2nd |
Mr. Lowry |
Mon & Thurs |
Senior 3rd |
Ms. Dunphy |
Mon & Thurs |
Senior 4th |
Mr. Mulligan / Mr Hughes |
Mon & Thurs |
TY1 |
Mr. Smyth |
Mon & Thurs |
TY2 |
Mr Cadogan |
Tues / Fri |
Junior A |
Mr. Comerford |
Tues & Fri |
Junior B1 |
Mr. Dool |
Tues & Fri |
Junior B2 |
Mr. Doyle |
Tues & Fri |
Minor A |
Dr Morris |
Tues & Fri |
Minor B1 |
Ms. Dunphy |
Tues & Fri |
Minor B2 |
Mr. Comerford |
Mon & Thurs |
First Year A |
Mr. Dool |
Mon & Thurs |
First Year B1 |
Ms. Sharman |
Mon & Thurs |
First Year B2 |
Mr. Doyle |
Mon & Thurs |
First Year C |
Mr. Cadogan |
Mon & Thurs |