Saint Patrick's Boy's National School senior and junior hurling teams have achieved a great double, (Corn Frank Cahill Cups) for their decisive win over Raheny's Scoil Assam, and the following week, the juniors won too, against Scoil Treasa, Mount Merrion, both matches being played in Croke Park. The medals and cups ceremony was held in the gymnasium, which was packed to capacity. The Ringsend Parents Group laid on a great spread. The mothers deserve a special mention, Martine Brennan, Julie Hegarty, Bernadette Black, Rachael Barry, Denise Brennan, and last but not least, Ritchie Coyle,
who did the decorations, buntings and flags.

I was there very early, and met the Principal, Mr. Coyle, his secretary, Sonia Kavanagh, and of course the teams leader Mr. Booth, (Bootsy) as he is affectionately known by the kids, who were all extremely helpful. Mr. Booth told me his own nephew had been on the Raheny runner's up side !. Twelve of the players received two medals, as they had played both finals, and one player in particular, young Bob Byrne was the scorer of three goals. A special medal was given by Capt. Connellan, to the school's hurler of the year, Brian Duffy, who was unable to play in the two games, due to his age. Captain Connellan, P & D Comp, Ltd, sponsored the teams, new kits and such like. The whole presentation took no more than an hour, and then it was time for all the dignitaries to leave.

An Taoiseach, Mr. Bertie Ahern, was presented with a jacket (not an anorak!) with the school emblem embroidered on it. All in all, it was a most joyous day for the lads of Scoil Naomh Padraig. Keep it up. It seems Ringsend is a community of firsts, fishing, glassmaking, all hard workers, boat building, football, soccer, gaelic, and hurling, and the tradition of winning is uppermost in all their minds, and they always seem to succeed !!

It would seem unjust not to mention the boys names, but they all deserve a mention. Glen Murray, David Egan, Stephen Rooney, S, Murphy, D. Neville, S. Hegarty, S. Ryan, M. Boland, D. Cassidy, G. Betts, R.Byrne, all of whom played both matches, Gavin Quirke, G.Jenkins, D. Byrne. C. Quinn, M. Spollen, P. Kennedy, A. Boyne, K.Kelch, G.O'Neill, J. Grey, A. Barrett, S. Grimes, S. McCabe, J.Black, D. O'Connor, A.Grimes, P.Murray, K. Allen, A.O'Connor, C.Thorpe, and Richard Barrett. I have a feeling we will hear a lot more about these players in the not too distant future. Well done Ringsend, and all the best in the future.