Hugh Douglas represents Republic of Ireland Schools.

April 2010

TY student Hugh Douglas was chosen to represent the U19 Republic of Ireland schools team.

Ireland’s first opponents of the season were Australia in an International Friendly at Oscar Traynor. Ireland came out attacking from the start and dominated the whole game, with them taking a 3-1 win on the day.

The first competitive game of the season in this year’s Centenary Shield came against Northern Ireland in Tullamore on Saint Patricks Day. With Hugh starting, Ireland started well and created chances but were pegged back on 14 minutes by Northern Ireland. Ireland went on to created many chances but failed to score. Finishing 1-0 to Northern Ireland it was a disappointing day for the boys in green.

Ireland’s second game of the Centenary Shield was against strong opposition in Wales, who drew with England the previous week. With Hugh impressing the previous week, he kept his place in the starting line up for the game. There was a packed ground at Welsh premier league team Haverfordwest FC. Ireland created many chances, with the Welsh keeper pulling off some great saves. Ireland finally took the lead on 17 minutes from a Sean Brosnan strike. Ireland finished out the game to take the three points.

The next fixture for Ireland was Scotland in a must win game for the boys in green at Finn Harps FC. With the conditions bad for both teams on the night, Ireland started brightly and took the lead from a Tom O’Halloron strike. Then there was delight for the St. Brendan’s student when Hugh scored Irelands second on 27 minutes. Ireland ran out 5-2 winners with goals from Gary Shaw and a brace from Sean Skelly, this put Ireland in prime position to win the Centenary Shield.

Ireland’s next game was another International Friendly against New Zealand. Ireland boss Dave Archbold used this friendly to afford some vital game-time to squad players and newcomers ahead of the English encounter at Burton Albion on the 30^th of April. Hugh was on the bench with many other regulars of the season. Ireland started brightly but were pegged back by two goals by New Zealand as they began to take control of the game. The Ireland manager made five changes at the break and one of those substitutes, Douglas, augmented the Irish attack with his industrious runs from midfield.

His goal-bound header on the hour was deflected wide, but three minutes later, he arrived on cue to nod Marwin Azimi's corner into the net on 63 minutes. Ireland began to dominate and were unlucky not to salvage a draw out of the game with a disallowed goal in the later stages. With the match ending 2-1 to New Zealand.

Dave Archbold's side are in prime position to capture the Centenary Shield with a clincher away to England. The curtain will come down on campaign with live coverage on Sky Sports as the Republic of Ireland travel to Burton Albion at the end of the month to take on England for an opportunity to lift the prestigious title

Sky Sports 2 - 30^th of April - KO 7.40pm.

European Youth Parliament

This year one of our TY students Ben English represented the school at the Leinster Conference of The European Youth Parliament. At this conference, students were placed on Committee’s and had to discuss different issues within the European Union. At the general assembly, Ben gave a speech on the E.U’s Common Agricultural Policy and spoke on how to ensure that the E.U. could help combat global warming. As a result of his participation at this conference Ben was selected for the National Final of the competition where he was on the committee on Culture. After this conference, Ben was selected as a Sub for the international stage of the competition where students will travel to Stockholm to represent Ireland.

Third year student Hugh Douglas captained his country in the Galway cup this year. The tournament involved matches against Ipswich Town, Newcastle United, Leeds United, Donegal, Sheffield United, Leicester City, Fulham and Slovakian side MSK Zilina. Hugh’s first match of the tournament was against Ipswich Town in Terryland Park. With the match ending 2-1 to the Irish squad in a pulsating game. Ireland's next match was a 0-0 draw against Leeds United. Newcastle United were Ireland's next opponents with Ireland cruising to a 3-1 win. Ireland's last group match was against Donegal, Ireland won 3-2. In the semi-final Ireland were drawn against Sheffield United, with the score 0-0 at full time the game went to penalties which Ireland won 6-5. Leicester City were Ireland's opponents in the final. Ireland lost 2-0 in the final on a disappointing day for the Irish team.

This year Ben English entered the second year of his three year term as an advisor to the Ombudsman For Children, Emily Logan. Ben was appointed her Advisor out of 3,000 young people around Ireland. As her advisor, Ben job is to ensure that the decisions The Ombudsman makes reflect the best interests of children. Ben also did a live interview with RTE as part of the Office’s project “The Big Ballot” after successfully completing hid media training. Later this year Ben will meet with other Ombudsmen from around Europe to discuss children’s rights as well as continuing to meet with The Ombudsman over the duration of the summer.

Junior Certificate student, Adam Garton, was awarded “Sports Star of the Week” by the Evening Herald for his achievement in Archery. Adam achieved a score of 522 out of a possible 600 – a phenomenal score by any standard. He proudly received a cheque for €20 and a trophy at a banquet in May. He speaks of his success:

“I started archery when I was in first year and from then I have progressed from being in the beginners section up to the highest class which is the elite class. I won my award when I reached a score of 522 out of a possible 600 in January of this year. I was nominated by my coach Bernie for this award. I was then picked by a panel of judges for the award. I won an O'Neill's sports pack and a trophy which I received at an awards ceremony in May.

Our school is probably the most successful at archery in Dublin. We recently won the National School Championships team event. This is the seventh year in a row that St. Brendan's have won this title. We could not have achieved this without the support of our coach Bernie, whose guidance and teaching was the backbone to our success.”

- Adam Garton

Over the past 6 years, students of St. Brendan’s have become well familiar with the sight of one very special goalie defending the net at lunchtime. Donning the gloves at every possible opportunity, Paul was put to the test by some of the best soccer players in the school, proving that he was every bit a match for their skills.

This year, Paul was selected to play for Ireland at the 2008 Special Olympics. He was a member of the Irish Soccer Team. Paul returned with a silver medal.

To say that Paul has been an extremely popular student is an understatement. His straightforward approach to life will be missed by both the staff and students of St. Brendan’s who, despite his solemn vow, are hopeful he shall call back to visit them in the future.