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Foreword by Mr Kiely
I would like to congratulate Rickie Mackenzie and Jake
Kyprianou on their marvellous achievement in the
production of this, the Abbey School’s first E-Magazine
Annual. The lads took on this challenge with great
enthusiasm and commitment. They had to source the
software and start from scratch, learning how to work
the software, design their layout, source their content
and pull it all together in about four weeks. They can
be very proud of their efforts. To you the reader whether you be a student, staff member, parent, past
pupil or other interested party, I hope you enjoy the fruits of the lads labour and get a flavour of what
went on in the school since September not just in Transition Year but throughout the school in Sporting,
cultural, musical and many other areas of interest.
I would like to thank you all for your support throughout the year and wish those of you taking the Junior
and Leaving Certificate examinations the very best of luck. I hope that the summer is kind to all the school
community and that you all return next August rested, refreshed and ready to give your all for the school in
the 2014-2015 school year.
Editors: Jake Kyprianou and Ricky Mackenzie
Sub-Editors: Micheál Kinane and Evan Brahan
Senior Sports: Qian Quish
Junior Sports: Tadhg Ryan
Photography: Mr Jerry Ring
Cover and Banners: Keith Walsh
The A Factor
By Johnny O Connell
The A-Factor talent show was once again held in
were cheering for their entire performance. Then
Ballykisteen Hotel on the 21st when 18 talented
Paddy Donovan sang a cover of R. Kelly’s song
acts (and two special guests), students from the
“Ignition”, this performance was thoroughly
Abbey CBS, St Anne’s or St Ailbe’s Schools
enjoyed by the audience. Following this, Donagh
competed for one of the three prizes. There was
Crowe, Alex Charles, Patrick Crehan and Michael
a great atmosphere from the very start of the
Hayes who sang a mashup of “Teenage Dirtbag”
evening when the presenter Norman Morrissey,
and “Wagon Wheel” and were heavily applauded
opened to a large audience of over 360 people in
by the audience. Finally Sean Smith ended the
the packed venue of Ballykisteen Hotel. It was
night with an amazing performance of a cover of
never going to be an easy task for the three
“A-Team” by Ed Sheeran.
judges – Ms Breda McCarthy (Tipperary Credit
Union), Mr David Condon (Tipperary Mid-West
Radio), Fran Marnane (Schools Musical Director)
and Fran Curry (Tipp FM) - with the spectacular
displays of musical talent including solo singers,
several duets on guitar, rock bands and brilliant
vocalists to choose from on the night. Most
impressive on the night was the very enthusiastic
reception each act received and the respectful
silence while each entrant made their bid to claim
Caolán Hennessey, Colm Burke and Shane Hogan
performing a cover of “All I Want” by Kodaline
the prize. There were six acts from the Abbey in
the show. Firstly, John Hayes who sang a song
which he wrote himself. Hollis Keating O’Connor
then played “Feeling Good” by Michael Buble.
They were followed by Caolán Hennessey, Colm
Burke and Shane Hogan who performed a cover
of “All I Want” by Kodaline. During the interval
Shane McGrath, Patrick Crehan and Kevin Kinane,
last year’s winners, played a traditional tune and
they did not disappoint. The lads raised the
atmosphere of the crowd immediately, people
Sean Smith winner of the overall prize
performing a cover of “A-Team” by Ed Sheeran
However, winners had to be chosen and Megan
dedication to the success of the evening. This
and Leonie Keating O’Connor took home the prize
event was possible to organise because the
for St. Anne’s, The Blondettes took home the
school had entrusted responsibilities to the group
prize for St. Ailbe's and Sean Smith won the
and these were taken seriously by all to ensure
overall prize coming first place and best overall
that a successful event was hosted that made
act with his cover of “A-Team” by Edward
visible all that is positive about the youth in this
Sheeran. Uniquely, it was a team of 6 Transition
school. All of those that participated in the acts of
year students that undertook the project and
the show had exceptional musical talent and
organised the full event with assistance from Mr
ability. All of the support showed immense pride
Carew and sponsorship from Tipperary Credit
in their favourite act and in their schools
Union, AIB, Bank of Ireland and other various
participants. The level of respect from the
businesses from around the town. Mr Kiely
students towards the musicians and performers
commended the six members of this organising
was fantastic in the hall with appropriate silence
committee, Johnny O’Connell, Tommy Lowry,
and cheering for each act. We hope that the A
Cormac Flanagan, Cian Quish, Liam Carroll and
Factor will continue to grow over the coming
Kevin Franks who had put immense effort and
years
Last year’s winner Patrick Crehan, Donagh Crowe,
Alex Charles and Michael Hayes singing a mashup of
“Teenage Dirtbag” and “Wagon Wheel”
as
it
has
done
this
year.
John Hayes’ act consisted of his own original
song
Hollis Keating O’Connor performed a
cover of “Feeling Good” by Michael
Buble
Munster Post Primary Schools under 16 ½ B Football
Munster Post Primary Schools U 16 ½ B Football
Semi-final
Abbey CBS 3-17 Rosscarbery 1-6
them, the Rosscarbery outfit responded and
Abbey CBS qualified for the Munster Post Primary
Schools Under 16 ½ B Football final after a fine
performance in Mahon on Wednesday 2nd April.
A strong first-half performance while facing a
fresh breeze laid the foundations for a facile
victory.
After an evenly contested opening quarter Abbey
led by 0-2 to 0-1 thanks to points from the Galtee
Rovers duo of Daire Egan and Stephen O’Dwyer.
Three points in as many minutes extended the
Tipperary schools lead through Andrew Vance
and
Cormac
Maher
notching
two
fine
scores. Sensing the game was slipping away from
shaded the final eight minutes of the half by
three points to two. Indeed only for some dogged
defending from the Abbey full-back line, the West
Cork lads might have had two goals before halftime. The Abbey led 0-7 to 0-4 at half-time.
Within 9 minutes of the re-start, the Abbey had
put the game away with a scoring flourish of 1-5.
Cormac Maher slipped through for the goal.
Rosscarbery’s towering midfielder responded
with a fine score before Stephen O’Dwyer
finished clinically to the net in the 44th minute.
The game finished as a contest when the
industrious Caolan Hennessy finished a flowing
team move to the net after he had started the
struggling to gain a foothold in the middle of the
move deep in his own half. Rosscarbery did raise
field but then against the run of play Daire Egan
a green flag of their own through but the Abbey
found the roof of the Mounthawk net in the 12th
had the final say with points from substitutes
minute. Mounthawk responded with two points
Jamie Ryan, Kevin Franks and Jack Hogan.
from play before the
The Abbey had strong performers throughout the
responded when Andrew Vance latched on to a
field but having lost out at the corresponding
brilliant through ball from wing-back Cian Ryan to
stage in last season’s competition to eventual
round Robbie Murphy in the Tralee goals and put
winners St. Fachtna’s Skibereen, they will be
the Abbey on level terms after twenty minutes, 2-
anxious to annex a trophy that has eluded the
0 to 0-6. The Tralee based outfit responded
school thus far. The Tipperary boys will face the
immediately when a flowing move finished up
winners of the other semi-final involving Coláiste
with corner forward Ferdia O’Brien finding the
Spiorad Naomh, Bishopstown and competition
bottom right-hand corner of Jack Comerford’s
favourites Mercy Mounthawk, Tralee.
net. Andrew Vance arrowed over a superb free
Abbey boys again
from the right hand touchline and Daire Egan
Scorers, Abbey: S O’Dwyer & C Maher 1-3 each, A
followed this up with a fine score after a typical
Vance 0-4 (0-1f.), C Hennessy 1-0, D Egan 0-3, T Lowry,
strong run through the heart of the Mounthawk
J Ryan, K Franks & J Hogan 0-1 each.
Munster Post Primary Schools U 16 ½ B Football
Final
Mercy Mounthawk, Tralee 3-14 Abbey CBS 3-6
The Abbey CBS failed in their brave bid to win the
Post Primary Schools Munster U 16 ½ B Football
defence to leave only three points between the
sides with 3 minutes to the halftime break. It was
in this time that Mounthawk accelerated ahead
with four unanswered points from Jack Carmody,
Cathal O’Reilly, Karl Mullins and O’Brien. This left
the Tipperary boys trailing 1-11 to 2-2 at the
break.
Final for the first time in Rathkeale on Friday 11th
Mounthawk opened the scoring immediately
April. The Abbey were left to rue losing
after the resumption through captain Andrew
concentration in the final minutes of both halves
Barry and in the 2nd minute of the half Abbey
and letting the impressive Tralee outfit chalk up a
full-back Davy Byron was shown a black card for
series of scores in those crucial periods that
an innocuous challenge in the middle of the field.
ultimately decided this exciting match.
The Abbey were certainly up against it at this
Mounthawk started briskly with the fresh breeze
at their backs and raced into a four point lead
inside the opening 8 minutes. The Abbey were
stage but they showed the character that had got
them to this stage of the competition. Shane
Neville added a fine point which O’Brien again
responded to. Through the tireless work of
fitting that Mounthawks captain Andrew Barry
Tommy Lowry and Shane Neville in the middle of
closed out the scoring with a fine pointed effort.
the field the Abbey gained a foothold in the
match and in the space of five second halfminutes the talented Shane Ryan fired 1-2 to put
this pulsating tie back in the melting pot. The goal
arrived when Ryan was picked out by Tommy
Lowry with a fine foot pass and the Galtee Rovers
man coolly finished to the Mounthawk net.
When Ryan fired over his second point the 53rd
minute there were only two points between the
sides and all the momentum was with the Abbey
boys. Shane Neville grazed the post with a super
effort that would have drawn the Abbey within
one point and from the ensuing kick-out the
Abbey earned a scorable free but took the free
quickly and were charged with over-carrying.
Within ten seconds the ball was in the Abbey net
after the excellent Louis Ryle was the first to
The Abbey were left disappointed at the final
whistle but could have left the Limerick venue
with their heads held high after giving their all
against an excellent Tralee outfit for whom
centre-back Iarla Courtney was a colossus in the
second half when the Abbey making their push
for victory. On the day the Abbey were best
served by Tommy Lowry, Shane Neville, Shane
Ryan, Daire Egan and Andrew Vance. While the
Abbey boy’s football ability or commitment could
not be questioned a telling statistic from the
game was that in the last five minutes of each
half the Abbey were outscored 2-5 to 0-2. Having
won the Under 15 championship earlier in the
season the Abbey certainly have many more
exciting days ahead with this very talented group.
react after Abbey goalkeeper Jack Comerford had
Scorers: Abbey: A. Vance 1-2 (0-2 f.), S Ryan 1-2
tipped a fierce goal bound drive on to the
(0-1f.), D Egan 1-1, S Neville 0-1.
crossbar. The Abbey were shell shocked and from
the
following
kick-out
Mounthawk
won
possession and corner-forward Fergal Ryan raised
Mounthawk: F O’Brien 1-4, F Ryan 1-2, L Ryle 1-0,
A Barry, J Carmody & K Mullins 0-2 each, R Dolan
& C O’Neill 0-1 each.
another green flag for the Kerry boys. Andrew
Vance replied with a pointed free but it was
AIB Abbey School Bank
Every year The Abbey School takes part in the “AIB Build a
Bank Challenge”. The bank was opened every week and TY
students (pictured left) were left in charge of the bank
with help from members of staff from the Tipperary
branch. As part of this, Colm “Gooch” Cooper also visited
the school later in the year as part of his role as the AIB
Youth Ambassador.
Under 15 Gaelic Football Abbey CBS V Glanmire in Pictures
1st Year Hurling
A very talented and committed group of 1st Year
hurlers started preparations on the 28th August
for the County Championship under the guidance
of Mr. O’Brien and Mr. Dwan. On the 1st of
October we travelled to Clonoulty and earned
1st Year Hurling Results
Rd. 1 Abbey CBS 1-4 Cashel CS 0-6
Abbey CBS 0-3 Clonmel HS 0-2
Abbey CBS 0-2 Thurles CBS 1-2
hard-fought victories over Cashel CS and Clonmel
High School. These victories meant we topped
our group and headed to County finals day in Dr.
Rd. 2 Abbey CBS 2-3 Templemore CBS 1-5
Abbey CBS 0-2 Nenagh CBS 1-3
Morris Park, Thurles on Tuesday the 8th October.
In
the
preliminary
stages
we
defeated
Templemore and Cashel CS again. Nenagh CBS
Abbey CBS 1-7 Cashel CS 0-3
Play-off
defeated us by four points in the group but we
gained revenge with a thrilling one point victory
in the semi-final. The performances of players
Abbey CBS 0-2 Nenagh CBS 0-1
1st Year Hurling County Final
such as Dean Morrissey, Tony Byron, Paul Devlin,
Timmy Corcoran, Ben Quinn and Brian Barlow
were inspirational in this victory. In the final we
again locked horns with Templemore and despite
a heroic team performance Templemore ran out
five point victors. It was only the second time we
had reached this final.
Abbey CBS 0-0 Templemore CBS 0-5
1st Year Hurling Summary
Won 5 Lost 3
Total Scored: 4-23
Total Conceded: 3-27
Top 3 Scorers: Aidan Griffin 2-8, Raymond
Hennessy 1-0, Kevin Doyle 1-0.
Junior and Senior Basketball
The U16 basketball team had a busy year, playing
Senior Rugby O’Brien Cup
Quarter Final
five matches. There first day out was in Thurles.
The Abbey vs. Pallaskenry: The Abbey got off to a
They played two matches that day against
great start with an early try by prop Frank Ryan,
Rockwell and Thurles, the first match against
Frank got the ball inside the Pallaskenry 22 and
Rockwell ended with a loss. The final score was
charged his way through to get over the line. It
36-23 to Rockwell. In the second match the
was converted by Conor Kissane. From the kick
Abbey faced the home team Thurles. Once again
off the Abbey immediately began applying
the Abbey were overpowered by the opposition
pressure again and were keeping Pallaskenry
and the game ended 35-13 in favour of Thurles.
inside their own half. Eventually the pressure
For their third match the Abbey travelled to St.
paid off and Conor Kissane got over for the try, he
Munchins where they played St. Munchins and St.
also kicked the conversion. As the Abbey applied
Nessans. The Abbey faced a strong Munchins side
more pressure Pallaskenry started to give away
in the first match and lost 38-11. In the second
penalties. The Abbey took advantage of this with
match the Abbey boy’s improved dramatically to
Conor Kissane converting a penalty. A last minute
gain their first victory of the year, they run out
try by David Cussen, which was not converted,
winners on a score of 20-12. In the last match of
left the halftime score 22-0 to the Abbey.
this term, held in the complex, the Abbey faced
Gaelcholaiste but it ended disappointedly with
the Abbey losing. The senior basketball were not
as busy as the juniors, they played two matches
against Nenagh and St. Munchins. They ended up
losing both matches but some powerful displays
by Aaron Madden and Cian Heiher were good
signs for the Abbey.
The weather got worse in the second half but the
Abbey continue put in pressure on Pallaskenry
and were camped inside their 22. But Pallaskenry
upped their defence in the second half and held
the Abbey to just three points in the second half
with a penalty by Conor Kissane. In the end the
Abbey were too strong and ran out winners with
a score line of 25-0.
Line-up: Frank Ryan, Sean Meagher, Donagh
Crowe, Patrick O’Donghue, Jack Comerford, Mark
Sweeney, Ted Lowry, Kevin Power, Conor Ryan,
Niall Leahy, John Kearns, David Cussen, Conor
Lucey, Gavin Hickey, Conor Kissane, Liam Kinane,
Aron Farralley, Cormac Flaherty, Brian Fanning,
Darragh Fanning, Darren McGrath, Frank Mooney
Pitch & Putt
Abbey Bank of Ireland Bank
By Michael O Halloran
By Bryan Hallissey
The Abbey pitch & putt team were well fancied in
This year was the first year that Bank of Ireland
the first round of the pitch & putt competition as
took part in building a school bank for secondary
they were playing on their home course. Our
school students. In early October two ladies came
teams played very well on the day with poor
down from the bank to the school to interview
conditions with the greens being very slippery.
anyone who wanted to be part of the bank team.
Three of our teams qualified for the next round of
Five students were selected to run the bank and
the competition which was a great achievement.
each person was assigned a different role; bank
The next round of the competition was played on
manager, 2 customer sales officials, PRO and a
Nenagh’s course. It was a very difficult day for
Sales and Marketing Manager. We were then
pitch & putt as high winds caused scores to be
brought up to the bank and we had a meeting
very high. Our teams didn’t show very well on the
with the bank manager who showed us how the
day with none of our teams qualifying for the
bank operates. We opened the school bank every
next round of the competition, we were very
Tuesday at half past one. A number of incentives
happy to get three teams this far but on the day
were offered to the students to promote the
the other teams were too strong for us.
bank. One of these incentives was for every 25
Team 1: Jack White, Niall Fitzgerald and Cormac
O Flaherty.
accounts that were opened Bank of Ireland would
donate €250 to the school. If 50 accounts were
opened the bank provided a new iPad to be
Team 2: Mikey O Halloran, Connie O Halloran and
raffled off between all the students who opened
Mark Costigan.
an account. All together 65 new bank accounts
Team 3: Shane O Donovan, Kevin Mooney and
Timmy Clarke.
were opened and the bank was a great success.
Teacher Interview: Mr Carew
What was your highlight from the year so far?
Who is your favourite business idol? Steve Jobs,
I’ve enjoyed all of it, I have.
Michael O’Leary or Dr. Shaquille O’Neal.
Who is your favourite band/singer?
Do you have a favourite TV show? Breaking Bad
Bob Dylan and The Beatles.
and Big Bang Theory.
What was the first video game console you had?
What is your favourite colour? Red.
SNES (Super Nintendo Entertainment System).
What is your favourite video game of all time?
Crash Bandicoot, Super Mario or TMNT Turtles in
Time.
You organised The A Factor this year, do you feel
that it has grown since last year? It has grown
immensely in the last year and I hope next year’s
What are your favourite films? Godfather and
Godfather Part II, the 3rd one is pure muck.
Do you have you a nickname? It’s not Carewser
lads, is it?
How do you think the students describe you? I
don't really think about it.
teacher can also improve on it. There is serious
What are/were your favourite possessions? My
talent in the school for music.
iPhone, PS4, retro gaming consoles and my
Did you enjoy the Transition Year Musical (Back
beard.
To The 80s)? It was good, but I would have had a
WIT Business Awards
better experience from out front, I was stuck at
Waterford Institute of Technology in association
the side.
with the Business Studies Teachers Association of
What is your favourite and least favourite food?
Ireland (BSTAI) hosted a special awards night for
Favourite: Chinese.
secondary school students in the South East
Least Favourite: Mustard/Mayonnaise.
Region who received an A grade in Junior
Certificate Higher level Business Studies last year.
Have your ever travelled abroad? If so, where?
The best places I’ve been are Krakow, Bratislava
and Vienna.
Various speakers, including the dean of W.I.T
Business School spoke to both the students and
their parents of the importance of business and
What is your favourite pastime? Retro Game
having good business students in Ireland in the
console collecting.
future. Four of Transition Year students received
the award these were Bryan Hallissey, Tadhg
If your house was on fire, what would you save
first? Myself.
O’Dwyer, Ricky Mackenzie and Tristan Vaughan,
along with their teacher, Mr. Pat Quirke.
Student Council
This year’s Student Council was formed at
the start of this year through an election.
Members had their own elections for various
positions in the council;
Chairman: Donagh Crowe
Secretary: Michael Jenkins
Treasurer: Jake Kyprianou
Each member will serve a term of two years.
Parent’s Council
A member of the parent’s council presenting
a cheque to Mr. Kiely from the Dog Night
fundraising event. This funding will help
provide for the new basketball courts and
Astroturf pitch in the school.
New School Table Tennis Tables
Our new table-tennis tables in use in the gym.
Coder Dojo
Hollis Keating O’Connor and Phillip Moore, the
students in charge of our school’s new
computer club, Coder Dojo. Coder Dojo teaches
students skills such as HTML, for web-design.
The Abbey Class of 1989, 1990 & 1991 Reunion
ECDL
They listened to both sides of the case and
decided on the verdict. The day was interesting,
By Ricky Mackenzie
fun and enjoyable and everyone learned about
the law of the country and the justice system.
Green Schools Committee
2013/2014
By Patrick Crehan and Caolán Hennessey
Every TY group get the chance to complete the
European Computer Driving License (ECDL)
We accomplished various tasks throughout this
course. The course consists of seven modules,
school year with the Green Schools committee,
ranging from learning to use Microsoft Office
such as getting the new bin system in place so
programs to a new web editing module with
now students are able to put their recyclables
Kompozer. It’s a test of practical skills in
into the designated bins throughout the school.
computer theory. The certification is given to the
There is the general waste bin which is black, and
pupil when they have passed all seven modules
the recycling bin which is green. This has made
by getting 75% or over. The ECDL course is
life easier for Mossy (our caretaker) as he does
extremely relevant in today’s world as it not only
not have to separate the recyclables with the
teaches students how to become computer
general waste. For green week we prepared an
literate, it is also required in many universities
awareness talk for all the classes in the school.
and colleges before continuing into a new year.
Our Chairman, Patrick Crehan and Caolán
This course if done outside of Transition Year can
Hennessey as the Public Relations Officer went
cost hundreds of euro.
around to each class giving a presentation on
what we do in the Green Schools and what our
Transition Year Law Course
aims were. On the Wednesday we prepared a
bottle collection where we would collect as many
After the Christmas Holidays, TY students
participated in a law course run by James Fahey,
a successful barrister from Galway. For the first
half of the day we learned about the Irish justice
system. We were told that we would be taking
part in a mock trial with students acting as the
barristers, solicitors, the accused and witnesses
with everyone else in the group acting as the jury.
empty bottles as we can and recycle them.
Statistics showed that bottles alone took up 20%
of our waste disposal. So we tried to improve that
by collecting as many bottles as we could. Then
on the Thursday of the week all TYs went around
the school on a spring clean, as it was the
National Spring Clean Day. We cleaned the river
just outside the school and also washed the
windows making the school a new and better
purchased and put in place. Green week was a big
place. Then on the Friday we organised games for
success this year. All classes in the school
all the students in the school. It was 50c to enter
watched a presentation about the work of the
and then the students that won the games
committee. We held games and activities during
received a cash prize. It was a very eventful week
the week, getting everyone involved and keeping
but didn’t go as successfully as we had planned it.
everyone
We really hope that the next coming transition
situations and our own environment. We also did
years take a step closer to that long awaited
the national spring clean which involved all TYs
Green Flag.
doing as many jobs as they could for one day of
We got a very positive response to the work of
the committee this year. Lots of TYs got on board
with the committee itself, but overall the
students and teachers have given a great
response and great feedback towards the whole
project. Throughout the year we kept people
informed with posters and updates via the
intercom and the noticeboards. We achieved a lot
during the year. A lot of jobs were done to clean
the school up including power washing, cleaning
informed
about
our
own
litter
green week. Our application for the green flag
was sent towards the end of the year. We will be
informed of our results in September. Hopefully,
after a year of hard work we will be rewarded in
September with a green flag.
The Committee:
Chairperson: Patrick Crehan
Public Relations Officer: Caolán Hennessey
Secretary: Johnny O’Connell
out the sheds, and cleaning the river. Many TY
students got on board with these jobs and we are
Assistant Secretary: Cormac Flanagan
very proud of our year group who helped us take
Maintenance: Tadhg Ryan, Michael O’Halloran,
a big step towards a green flag for the school. Our
Kevin Franks
litter surveys and bin surveys throughout the year
gave us lots of information about the schools
litter problems which we could then deal with.
One example of this is the new bins which we
Student Council Representative: Bryan Hallissey.
ISSU Student Council Day
participated in a workshop with the ‘Young Social
By Bryan Hallisey
Innovators’ followed by an open forum. The day
was a great success and both the students and
Ms. Power learned a lot and they gained lots of
ideas and tips for the Student Council.
First Aid Course
By Ricky Mackenzie
In early 2014 TY students took part in a First Aid
Ms. Power, Donagh Crowe (5th Year) and Bryan
Hallissey (Transition Year) on April Wednesday
30th set off to Dublin to attend a student
gathering day. The event was held by the Edmund
Rice Schools Trust in The Red Cow Hotel. They
took the 7.56 a.m. train to Dublin and the
conference began at 10.00 a.m. There were
students from all over the country there to
represent their school and student council. The
first item on the agenda was the opening
ceremony where each school was invited to the
top of the room to hand up a symbol from their
school to be laid on the ground in a spiral to unite
all the schools together. After a few speeches the
students were then separated from the teachers
and mixed into different groups to share their
ideas and experiences of being on a student
council with each other. The students also got to
listen to speeches from students from Carlow
C.B.S about their Peace and Justice Society and
O’Connell Secondary School about their Mental
Project. There were also representatives from
Edmund Rice Camps to show students all the
great work that they do. After lunch the students
Course run by Kevin O’ Donnell. The course was
spread over two days. On the first day the
students learned how to use a defibrillator, how
to prevent choking, how to bandage wounds and
other first aid practices. On the final day they
completed more practical lessons and then
completed a short test to earn a certificate which
they were awarded after they completed the
course. This certificate is also valid for two years
to show you have completed a first aid course
Transition Year Debating
of Ireland, Paul Schellekens. The team brought up
By Jake Kyprianou
many good points to support Dutch fracking
This school year students from Transition Year
took part in the UCC Philosophical Debates in UL
and UCC and also the Model Council of the
European Union debate. Apart from helping
students to develop their logical thinking,
organising and communication skills, debating
has taken on a new significance in the context of
the new Leaving Cert English programme where
practices and also protect the environment,
however due to antagonising votes from major
powers such as Germany, Italy and France, the
directive failed. More information on the debate
can be found on European Commission website
here. The students who attended were Ricky
Mackenzie, Jake Kyprianou and Evan Brahan
accompanied by Ms. Doherty.
the language paper makes specific reference to
"the language of argument" and "the language of
persuasion." Those who took part in the debates
were Jake Kyprianou, Ricky Mackenzie, Micheál
Kinane, Seán Crowe and Adam O'Connell,
accompanied by Ms. Doherty. The first debates of
the year were “The re-introduction of the death
penalty” and “The cutting of state funding of the
arts”. The second round of debates consisted of
Some of our Abbey Debating team, left to right
Jake Kyprianou, Adam O’Connell and Seán Crowe
with Ms Doherty
“We should be disgusted by child beauty
pageants” and “Philosophy should be taught in
French & German Film
schools”. Ricky Mackenzie made it to the quarter
By Jake Kyprianou and Ricky Mackenzie
finals as an individual, the quarter final debate
In December, the German & French transition
was “Obama should be tried for war crimes”,
year classes went to the Excel cinema to see
however he failed to progress to the semi-finals.
foreign language films. The German class saw
“Weil Ich schöner bin”. The film was about an
On March 4th, another debate was held by the
illegal Colombian immigrant called Charo and her
European Commission in Dublin Castle. The
German friend Laura. Students studying French
school
the
saw the French film “Intouchables”, focusing on a
Netherlands in a debate on a directive on
rich quadriplegic, living in a mansion in Paris. A
minimum principles of hydraulic fracturing
young offender turns up for an interview, but he
(fracking). Before the debate commenced the
is not really looking to get the job. To his surprise,
team met the Dutch Ambassador to The Republic
he is hired and they develop a close friendship.
debating
team
represented
U15 Hurling Munster Championship Quarter Final
Abbey vs Kilmallock - Murroe, Boher:
square and pulled on by the Kilmallock midfielder
The Abbey went into this game as favourites and
once again straight into the next. All the Abbey
as holders of the cup. They started well with a
could come back with was a 65 ten minutes later.
point from wing forward Nathan Murphy Crowe.
Kilmallock responded with a free and then a goal.
The Abbey seemed to be dominating possession
The Abbey bombarded the opposition goal but
and got two points in the next 10 minutes from
could only score from a free from Halligan. The
Darren O Dwyer and Fergus Halligan. Kilmallock
final whistle blew and the Abbey left heartbroken
responded with two points just before the
as a potential U15 double was on the cards.
twentieth minute mark. The Abbey once again
possessed the ball for the next five minutes of
Final score: Kilmallock 3-4
Abbey 0-8
play but failed to score. Just before half time,
Kilmallock’s midfielder put it in the net with a
Starting team:
rebound.
Arnold O Dwyer, Conor Leahy, Stephen O Brien,
The second half began with the Abbey not at
Conny Bradshaw, Niall Heffernan, Shane Ryan,
their best but still in the game. They conceded a
Conal Donovan, Eoin McCormack, Kieran Breen,
free from far out. It was put into the Abbey
Nathan Murphy Crowe, Cormac Maher, Fergus
Halligan, Zach O Halloran, Darren O Dwyer
First year soccer
Cappanalea TY Trip 2014
By Mark Hoban, John O’ Driscoll and Joe Tobin
By Micheál Kinane
Abbey C.B.S. v Nenagh
By Mark Hoban, John O’Driscoll & Joe Tobin
On Monday 12th of May about 50 TY students
Our first year soccer team had their first game
went on a week-long trip to Cappanalea in Kerry.
against Nenagh here in the school. We got off to
The trip was organised by the TY co-ordinator Mr.
a good start with a cracker of a free kick from
JJ Kennedy.
captain and playmaker Ben Quinn just inside the
opposition half. Nenagh hit back within 10
minutes with their centre forward scoring one on
one with keeper Dean Morrissey. It was the
number 10 again who got Nenagh’s second to put
them 2-1 up before half-time. He completed his
hat-trick on the 50 minute mark going past two
defenders to slot home. Keeper Dean Morrissey
kept us in the game pulling off 3 top class saves.
Substitute Killian Noonan gave us a lifeline when
he headed home form a cross from Aaron Ryan
before Nenagh got their fourth to tie up the
game. Tony Byron had a good game considering
he was marking Nenagh’s best player. I’m sure we
all feel that if we had put our chances away we
would have had no doubt won the match.
Abbey Team: Dean Morrissey, Connor Ryan, Eoin
Gallagher, Tony Byron, Anthony Hammond,
Ciaran Neau, Aaron Ryan, Ben Quinn, Kevin
Doyle, Patrick Quinn, Kevin Hally
We had to be at the school for 10 to 9 and the
bus would leave for Kerry at 9 and we arrived in
Cappanalea 3 and a half hours later at half past
12. When we arrived we were split into 4 groups
which would do activities by the instructors
there. We were then given our lunch and my
group; group C went abseiling and rock climbing.
There were some nerves when we reached the
cliff but in the end everybody abseiled down the
cliff. There was also an area where we could
climb the cliff while in a safety harness and this
helped many get used to the cliff before the
abseiling.
When we got back to the centre, we were
On Wednesday we first had to learn how to craft
allowed to decide who we stayed in our rooms
a camp and how to use the portable cookers and
with and we moved all our bags into them. Later
fuel. Later we then had to plan the expedition we
that night we went down to the lake and went
would be going on on Thursday. We had to fill out
swimming and even though the water was
the real route cards, decide what food to bring
freezing, we still had a lot of fun. After swimming
and decide who brought what. Each of the 4
we played manhunt where we took turns hunting
groups would be going a different route in the
a group down and bringing them back to the
expedition. There were no evening activities on
centre.
Wednesday because we had to pack for the
The next morning we had breakfast and the next
activity was navigation, where we hiked through
expedition and get to sleep early because we had
a big day ahead of us.
the hills trying to navigate to certain places. It
On Thursday morning we had a fry for breakfast
involved a lot of walking so everybody was glad
and then got our rucksacks full of equipment and
when they got their lunch when they got back.
took a bus to the starting area where we set off
After lunch we had to get into wetsuits and
on the route. There were a few disputes about
buoyancy aids for canoeing. There were 3 people
the navigating but in the end we still got to the
per canoe and many people flipped their canoes
top of the mountain after a very long hike. We
during it. We had to learn how to perform a
ate lunch at the top and then set off back down
rescue and turn the canoes back over.
the mountain where we had to abseil down a
Later that day we went swimming in the lake
again but there were many who didn’t go and just
played hurling near the lake instead. Back at the
centre we had to fill out practice route cards to
make sure we would be able to navigate to our
campsite.
30m cliff. Most people were confident because of
what they had learned the last time they abseiled
so everybody got down safely. Straight after the
abseiling we had to load our rucksacks into
canoes and canoe across the lake to our
campsite. We used what we had learned when
we got to the campsite and set up our tents. We
made our own meals because we were tired and
hungry after the day and then searched for wood.
We managed to get a big campfire for the night
and we sat around it. People sang songs and told
stories before going to sleep.
We got up early the next day, had breakfast and
dismantled all the tents and cleaned all the pots.
At half 8 we left to go back to Cappanalea. It took
about half an hour and when we got back we had
to pack our things to leave.
Overall it was a great week and we used all the
skills we learned during the week on the
expedition. I’m sure everybody would do it again.
Back To The 80s
Marian Hall, where all students rehearsed their
By Evan Brahan
lines and the dance routines. Soon after, dress
This year’s group of transition years took part in
rehearsals were held in the Excel with props,
the musical “Back to the 80’s”. Auditions were
stage lights, musicians and working microphones.
held in mid-October for the main characters.
The shows were performed from the 25th to the
Many people auditioned, but only a small group
27th of November in the Simon Ryan Theatre at
of students were chosen for the parts. The two
the Excel for local schools to watch. This gave the
main male parts Corey Palmer and Michael
students some well needed practice in front of a
Feldman, were given to Caolan Hennessey and
large crowd and allowed them to have their lines
Patrick Crehan, and the main female parts,
and routines learned off perfectly, before
Tiffany Houston and Eileen Reagan, were given to
performing in front of an audience in the evening
Hannah Dowdall and Claire O’Dwyer. The Back to
shows. Everyone from the students, teachers,
the 80s’ musical tells the story of the 1989
musicians and audience thoroughly enjoyed the
graduating class of William Ocean High School as
performance, classic 80s music and the vibrant,
seen through the eyes of the narrator, Corey
luminous colours of the 80s style.
Palmer Senior (John O’Driscoll) who is now living
in the year 2001, reminiscing about his senior
year. The 17 year old Corey is madly in love with
his next door neighbour Tiffany, one of the
coolest girls in the entire school. However, she
barely notices this, as she is too busy fawning
over Michael Feldman, the hottest guy around.
Michael and his friends are the athletic and goodlooking guys that Corey and his two best friends
wished they were. While they may not be the
coolest guys in school, they are still cooler than
Feargal Bobby McFerrin III, whose best friend is
his computer and who believes the crazy idea
that one day CDs will replace cassette tapes.
Rehearsals started a week after the auditions in
St Anne’s School with Michael O’Donoghue, Pat
and Fran Murnane and the other main parts.
After a short while, rehearsals were moved to the
The
Cast:
Cian Quish as Alf
Evan Brahan as Huey
Paddy Donovan as Lionel
Shane O’Donovan as Kirk
Maurice Mulhair as Billy
Caolan Hennessey as Corey Palmer
Patrick Crehan as Michael Feldman
John O’Driscoll as Corey Palmer Snr
Aaron Creighton Fox as Feargal
Sean Dillon & Marie Kinane as Featured Singers
Jack Sharpe as Mr. Cocker
Laura Hanrahan as Cindy
Kelly Crosse as Kim
Aoife Byrnes as Mel
Hannah Dowdall as Tiffany
Claire O’Dwyer as Eileen
Deirdre Mullins as Debbie
Anisha O’Dwyer as Laura
Sadhbh Brennan as Ms Brannigan
1st Year Six Word Stories
Exam in hand. The teacher frowns.
Will they come back for me?
Once asked to write a full story in six words,
legend has it that novelist Ernest Hemingway
responded: "For Sale: baby shoes, never worn."
Went to party. Regretted it later.
Famous last words. It'll be grand.
First year students were given the same
World War One. All over again.
challenge. Below are the winning submissions
Poor boy becomes a rich man.
from each class
You don’t know what you lost.
Kevin Hally, 1A1Online. Offline. Still can't find you.
Luke Gibson, 1A2Two swords. One slice. No corpse.
Niall Carew, 1A3God’s gone. It’s my turn now.
Other Submissions:
Arrived happily. Good time. Departed better.
England wins World Cup. Ireland heartbroken.
Plane leaves airport, never to return.
2012. The world ends. We end.
My dad joins Facebook. I quit.
Christmas. New Year. Have no money.
Left school at 16. No career.
Gunpowder gone. On home stretch now.
Love song. My name is Song.
Should have done. Could have done.
My birthday at Christmas. Wahay.
Had dream. Dreamt it. Lived it.
He came. He left. September 1939.
Some fun they said. She’s dead.
Love, drama, action. A tearful end.
Was loved by one, who died.
Three kings. Three armies. One kingdom.
Left for the lad next door.
All who wander are never lost.
In a relationship. Broke. Single. Rich.
Life is hard, especially when alone.
I'm finally retiring. After this match.
Child in van, never seen again.
Went a boy. Returned a man.
Crash site cleared but nobody cares.
Today I'm alive. Then I'll die.
Smile. Tomorrow will be much worse.
Neglected his family. Regrets his decision.
To live and then to die.
Best things come in small packages.
They're coming. He's got to hide.
Training was tough, but paid off.
Chemistry Trip
Riddles
Early in the year, some TY students visited Merck,
Sharp
and
Dohme
(MSD)
in
Clonmel,
accompanied by Mr. O’Dwyer. MSD produce non-
1: A man is sitting in his cabin in Michigan. 3
hours later he gets out of his cabin in Texas. How
is this possible?
generic drugs and are developing drugs ranging
from Alzheimer’s disease drugs to Grass pollen
allergy pills. The students got a tour of the
pharmaceutical production facilities and the
quality control lab and went to a talk where
employees discussed the products they produce
and the process of getting it to market.
2: A murderer is condemned to death. He has to
choose between three rooms. The first is full of
raging fires, the second is full of assassins with
loaded guns, and the third is full of lions that
haven't eaten in 3 years. Which room is safest for
him?
BT Young Scientist
3: What can sink a ship but weighs nothing?
TY Students travelled to Dublin to the RDS for the
BT Young Scientist competition in early 2014.
4: The man who makes it, doesn’t want it, the
Hundreds of students from around the country
man who wants it doesn’t use it and the man
entered projects and our students had the
who uses it doesn’t know he uses it. What is it?
opportunity to see them. Mr. O’Dwyer organised
the trip this year and wanted as many people as
5: A natural state, I'm sought by all.
possible to attend to the event. Projects ranged
Go without me, and you shall fall.
from things such as soil radiation to the
You do me when you spend,
inefficiency of Project Maths. There were many
and use me when you eat to no end.
organisations and companies there, such as Intel,
What am I?
BT, the Knights of Malta and the European Union.
6: I am a rock group that has 4 members, all of
whom are dead, one of which was assassinated.
What am I?
7: If a man carried my burden he would break his
back. I am not big but leave silver in my tracks.
What am I?
Answers:
1: He is a pilot in the cabin of the airplane.
2: The third room. Lions that haven't eaten in
three years are dead.
3: A hole.
4: A coffin.
5: Balance.
Do you have a nickname? Nothing fit for print.
What was your most embarrassing moment as a
student? Don’t have one. I was perfect in every
way.
6: Mount Rushmore.
What was your most embarrassing moment as a
7: A snail.
teacher? I just said that I am perfect.
Teacher Interview – Ms Flynn
How
would
you
describe yourself
as
a
teacher/person in 3 words or less? Teacher not
How long have you been a teacher? Going on
person.
forty years now....
Any words of wisdom that you want to give to
What is the favourite aspect of your job?
all the students? Only dead fish swim with the
The view of the factory
stream.
What is your least favourite aspect of your job?
TY Manchester Trip
Filling out inane student questionnaires
What is your favourite and lucky number?
Absolute zero......
On November 7th, 50 Transition Year students
went on a trip to Manchester, accompanied by
Mr. O’Brien, Mr. Carew and Mr. Dwan. Upon
If your house is on fire, what possession will you
arriving at Holyhead, the students travelled by
save first? The house....
bus to Manchester. They toured Old Trafford
Have you ever travelled abroad? If so, where?
I managed to get to Clonmel once. I didn’t like it
so I came home.
stadium and museum, where they saw all of the
old and current trophies held by Manchester
United, as well as old newspaper articles and
jerseys. The Students also visited Chill Factor, the
What is your favourite colour? The colour a
largest indoor ski centre in Europe. The students
student goes when they realise that they have
stayed overnight in a hostel and went to Alton
called you mammy.
Towers the next morning. Alton Towers is the
Do you play a musical instrument? I play the
button accordion but I cannot promise that what
comes out is music.
largest theme park in the UK, containing some
famous roller coasters such as the Smiler,
Oblivion & Nemesis. The students departed Alton
Towers at 3:30 p.m, and arrived back at school at
Who is your idol? The principal.
2:30 a.m Saturday morning.
Visitors to the Abbey School
This year we had many visitors to our school for
various reasons. A group of Swedish school
principals visited us earlier this year to gain an
insight into the Irish education system, they
toured the school and visited some classes in
progress.
Colm ‘Gooch’ Cooper came to our
school to do a training session with some of our
GAA teams as part of the AIB Build a Bank
Challenge. Towards the end of the year, a class of
Argentines came to the school as part of their
class trip to Ireland. TY students spent some time
talking with them.
Swedish Principals
Deutschmobil – German Visit
German students enjoyed a visit from Deutschmobil, a special class organised by the Goethe Institut.
Seachtain na Gaelige
1st year students with Seachtain na Gaeilge posters.
Seachtain na Gaeilge is a week that promotes the use
of Gaelige and ran this year from the 1st to 17th of
March.
Student Awards
Conor Duffy presented with his UCD
scholarship.
Donal O’Dwyer with his agricultural science award.
2013 Merit Award Winners