On Wednesday of this week, January 17th, our 3rd and 4th class boys and our 4th class girls participated in the eagerly awaited Futsal competition in the CBD complex in Charlestown.

The annual competition, organised by the FAI, involved children from 4th classes in the surrounding areas playing against each other to aim to progress to the county finals. The Girls team were to play against Straide N.S., Cloonlyon N.S. and Tooreen N.S. and the Boys team would also be pitting their wits against these schools.

Our girls’ team performed very well and were very unlucky not to progress. Having lost our first game, our girls team went on to dominate and play very well in the next two games. Every girl on the team played their part and some of the passing, goals and teamwork were a joy to behold at times. Each girl worked hard and the progression from the first game to the last game was very evident.

Our boys’ team also performed very well, considering some of the boys were only in third class. Some of the skills on show were enjoyed by many of the spectators and the boys put in a huge effort for each other and were very unlucky not to see more of their efforts rewarded. They were really looking forward to this day and can be extremely proud of their efforts.

Many thanks to Paul Byrne from the FAI for organising this wonderful competition and wish the winning teams all the best in the upcoming finals. This event is about children participating, competing and most of all enjoying their day out. Also, a big thank you to all parents who helped in any way, including lifts to the complex and preparing their children for the competition and to the CBD Complex for the use of their facility.

Finally, well done to all our children who participated as they did themselves and their school very proud with their wonderful attitude, skills and determination shown.

Best of luck to Mr.Rushe and Kilmovee Shamrocks who tonight play Moy Davitts in the County Junior B Final at the Connaught GAA Centre of Excellence in Bekan.

Mr.Rushe has given huge service and commitment to his club over many years and we hope that tonight will prove memorable for him and all his teammates. Our connections do not stop with Mr.Rushe, Ms.Anne Sweeney’s son Ciarán is playing this evening, her husband Neil is also a selector on a management team with Séan and Martin Mulvaney past pupils of our school.

It is twenty seven years (1990) since Kilmovee last appeared in a County Final, they have yet to be successful at adult level, all of us here in St. Attracta’s wish them well and hope that changes this evening!

The sporting weekend does not end tonight. Best of luck also to Ms.Yvonne Keegan who’s beloved Kiltimagh play in the County Intermediate Final on Sunday in McHale Park. Ms Keegan’s brother Tomás is an important member of the Kiltimagh squad who go into battle again against Moy Davitts at 1.30pm. Finally to Mrs Reilly and Paddy who will be supporting Tourlestrane on Sunday in the Sligo County Final.

Lots to look forward to here in St.Attracta’s over the weekend. We hope we have many happy faces here with us on Monday morning!

Our preparations continued for Sunday’s All Ireland Final with a fantastic morning this morning in school earlier.

All the children and staff came dressed to support their team ensuring our classrooms, corridors and yards were a sea of green and red.

We had a ‘ Ceilí mór amuigh sa chlós’ with stirring renditions of ‘The Green and Red of Mayo’ and Bring Sam Home. A special word of thanks to all our parents who helped with the preparations at home and of course to Mr.Rushe who co-ordinated events this morning.

It was fantastic that all our students were with us for the first time , Ms.Duffy’s, class joined us for what turned out to be a very enjoyable and fun morning.

Finally we hope you all enjoy Sunday’s game. We wish our past pupil Tom Parsons well. We are so proud of his achievements and are very hopeful in the coming weeks that we will have the pleasure of welcoming him back with Sam Maguire to his alma mater.

Maigh Eo abú!

What a morning we had in school welcoming RTE’s Mike McCartney and past Mayo stars and parents of students in our school John Casey and Aidan Higgins.

Their visit was part of a recording for a segment on RTE’s Radio’s Drivetime show this evening (Friday 15th) between 5.30 and 7pm.

Mike interviewed Aidan and John and visited Mr.Rushe’s 6th Class, Ms.Henry’s 5th Class and Mr.Clarke’s 3rd/4th Class taking the views and opinions of our wonderfully informed students!

Mike was very generous with his time telling us all about being a reporter working with RTE and what it is like working on match days.

We concluded our morning with a fantastic ‘Up for the Match’ discussion where John and Aidan shared their experiences of playing for Mayo in All Ireland Finals, the build up to these games, the morning of the match, the parade and the game itself.

Young and old really enjoyed this!

A very special word of thanks to Aidan, John and Mike for their patience and openness with the children. We look forward to tuning into Radio One this evening! Up Mayo!

This afternoon we enjoyed our annual Sports Day. Thankfully the weather was very kind to us and as always it was a very special date on our school calendar.The children were very excited, in advance, about the day’s activities, and they didn’t fail to impress us with their enthusiasm, determination and sportsmanship.

Firstly, there was a Sports 4 All activity rotation, with teams of children from all classes getting the opportunity to practise and enjoy activities such as the obstacle courses, crossbar challenge, bench exercises, chair throw and basketball/rugby skills, hurdles (amongst many others!). Special mention must be given to the children in Fifth and Sixth Class for leading and helping with all teams. They proved themselves to be great leaders and role-models on the day.

After a much needed break for lunch, the children lined out for the wide range of events planned for the afternoon. We were joined by many grandparents, parents, siblings and friends, who cheered everyone on with great gusto!

Events on Sports Day ranged from the regular athletic sprints and relays to the fun egg & spoon, sack races and three legged races. The children, as ever, threw themselves into all activities with great spirit, displaying a strong sense of fair play and sportsmanship. All our younger students received a medal and there is no question they were all winners on the day!

We would like extend a big “Míle buíochas agus Comhghairdeachas Mór” to the children and their families for making this one our many days to remember.

Finally the children from 4th/5th and 6th enjoyed a swim in the beautiful Charlestown Swimming Pool to cool down after their active day. We thank the team and all involved at the pool for making us feel so welcome!

Commiserations to our Girls team who were defeated earlier in their Cumann na mBunscol County Semi Final against an excellent Gaelscoil na Cruaiche side in McHale Park.

Our girls as always played their hearts out with all our players contributing to an excellent performance. However, on this occasion we were defeated by an outstanding side who earlier in the season had captured the County Mini 7’s title.

A special word of thanks to Mrs Sweeney for all her help this morning and to all the girls who gave so much throughout the year. We were very proud of each of them.

Maith sibh go léir.