27 January 2023
U – 16 Camogie
After a great run, our camogie team encountered a determined and skilful Loreto, Kilkenny team. While the result didn’t go our way, the team can look back positively on the great progress made this year. We commend them for their commitment and positivity throughout the campaign.
Subject Choice Fair
On Wednesday, 25 January, our TY students had the opportunity to speak to 5th and 6th year students who are currently studying the full range of optional subjects available here in Loreto. The Subject Choice Fair allows TY students ask practical questions to help gain an insight into the content of each subject at senior cycle. This initiative, coupled with Subject Choice Talks from their teachers, is part of our approach to guiding TY students in making informed choices for their Leaving Certificate. We thank the Guidance Department for their work on all of these events.
Forthcoming Events
- Monday, 30 January – Junior Cycle training day, no school for students
- Wednesday, 1 February – Mock Examinations begin for 3rd year students
- Wednesday, 1 February – deadline for inputting subject choices on VS Ware
- Monday, 6 February – Bank Holiday
Cross Country – report by Senan O’ Reilly (parent)
Wexford Schools Cross Country
Adamstown
18/01/2023
The annual Wexford Schools Cross Country event took place in Adamstown last Wednesday. The overnight freeze meant that the ground was frozen solid in places but by the time the action commenced this was no longer an issue thanks to glorious sunshine.
There were around 450 competitors from nineteen schools assembled in the showground field beside the church. This was up on the previous year although numbers competing in the senior races continue to trend downwards.
The programme opened with the minor girls 1km race. Laragh Walsh of Loreto Wexford got out in front early and quickly established herself as the one to beat. Try as they might to reel her in, her would-be challengers could only watch as she held onto her early lead. At the end of the one-lap course she had 40 metres to spare on Kate Hayden (St Mary’s New Ross), Kate having a slightly lesser gap on Emma McEldowney (Loreto). They crossed the line in that order. There was a good battle for 4th between Rachel Murphy (Our Lady of Lourdes) and Lauren Kehoe (Presentation), Rachel proving to be the stronger of the two. Isabella Murphy (St Mary’s New Ross) came through strongly to take 6th. Loreto’s strong overall performance ensured they took the team title, with St Mary’s 2nd and Presentation 3rd.
As with minor girls, there was another gun to finish-line win in the junior girls 2km race as Emma Hickey (St Mary’s New Ross) continued to show the form that got her among the medals at Leinster level last year. Ruby Gallagher O’Reilly (Gorey Community School) bravely tried to go with her but paid for it later in the race. Lily Ryan (Our Lady of Lourdes), who had looked strong throughout, eased past Ruby with 400 metres to go. The Gorey CS girl was then passed by Lucy McCormack (Loreto), Rayna Thompson (Presentation) and Chloe Wafer (Creagh College) in the long run for home. It ended: gold for Emma, silver for Lily and bronze for the very fast finishing Chloe. Lucy placed 4th, Rayna 5th and Ruby held on for 6th. St Mary’s New Ross won the team event with Loreto in 2nd and Our Lady of Lourdes 3rd.
On occasion in schools cross country races, a surprise package may emerge from the pack, sometimes attired in football boots and baggy gansy, and surprise the thoroughbreds. That was never going to happen in an entertaining inter girls race as the very experienced duo of Aoife Walsh and Maria Coone, both in the red of Loreto Wexford, took control of affairs from early on, the pair matching each other stride for stride. As the race settled down, there was a short gap behind the leaders to a tight string of three runners: Éabha Keane (Presentation) followed by the Loreto duo of Cara Kelly and, on her heels, the early leader Cora Finn. Running a solo effort in 6th place was Éabha Mullally (Our Lady of Lourdes). With half a lap to go, the leading duo having pushed ahead, Aoife rounded a bend and delivered a short killer surge which put daylight between herself and Maria. The element of surprise! The latter responded but not quickly enough to stop a 10-15 metres gap opening. It stayed like that to the end, Aoife taking the gold. It was interesting to note that, with Éabha Keane 3rd and Cara Kelly 4th, the top four do their running with DMP. Éabha Mullally, having gotten ahead of Cora Finn, was passed by the Loreto girl in the closing stages. With four of the top six places and a strong supporting cast, Loreto’s teams took the two spots ahead of 3rd placed St Mary’s New Ross.
The small field in the senior girls 3km race set off at a fairly relaxed pace, Emma Hannan (St Mary’s New Ross) leading out Loreto duo Caoilfhionn Ní Nualláin and Eimear Halpin. With two laps to go, the three had a 20 metres gap on a quintet led by Caoimhe Byrne (FCJ) and Aoife Lyng (St Mary’s). On the final lap, with the front trio well clear of the rest, Caoilfhionn forged ahead to open a good lead, while Emma got clear of a tiring Eimear. That was the gold, silver and bronze sorted. In a sprint finish for 4th place, Caoimhe just got the better of Aoife. Mollie Ryan (Our Lady of Lourdes), having worked her way through on the final lap, placed 6th. Loreto were best team ahead of Our Lady of Lourdes.
Loreto won the Donna Foley Memorial Cup for top overall school for the second year in a row with St Peter’s College just behind them.
Top fifteen in each race, along with top three teams, qualify to compete in this Wednesday’s South Leinster Championships in Carlow.
Results
Minor Girls
1 Laragh Walsh (Loreto), 2 Kate Hayden (St Mary’s New Ross) 3 Emma McEldowney (Loreto), 4 Rachel Murphy (Our Lady of Lourdes), 5 Lauren Kehoe (Presentation), 6 Isabella Murphy (St Mary’s New Ross)
Teams: 1 Loreto, 2 St Mary’s, 3 Presentation
Junior Girls
1 Emma Hickey (St Mary’s New Ross), 2 Lily Ryan (Our Lady of Lourdes), 3 Chloe Wafer (Creagh College), 4 Lucy McCormack (Loreto), 5 Rayna Thompson (Presentation), 6 Ruby Gallagher O’Reilly (Gorey Community School)
Teams: 1 St Mary’s New Ross, 2 Loreto, 3 Our Lady of Lourdes
Inter Girls
1 Aoife Walsh (Loreto), 2 Maria Coone (Loreto), 3 Éabha Keane (Presentation), 4 Cara Kelly (Loreto), 5 Cora Finn (Loreto), 6 Éabha Mullally (Our Lady of Lourdes)
Teams: 1 Loreto A, 2 Loreto B, 3 St Mary’s New Ross
Senior Girls
1 Caoilfhionn Ní Nualláin (Loreto), 2 Emma Hannan (St Mary’s New Ross), 3 Eimear Halpin (Loreto), 4 Caoimhe Byrne (FCJ), 5 Aoife Lyng (St Mary’s New Ross), 6 Mollie Ryan (Our Lady of Lourdes)
Teams: 1 Loreto, 2 Our Lady of Lourdes
