FAI 5-a-side Competition 2025
The anticipation had been building towards this competition since the fixtures were announced. The 7 players on our Senior Boys' Soccer Team were Ciarán, Caolán, Killian, Shay McD, Shay L, Tiarnán & Brendan. They all came to school early, fueled with a healthy breakfast and raring to go. They kept a tight eye on the road, urging their lifts to come. Before long, Patricia & Gary had arrived and we were on route to Gortakeegan.
When we arrived, the boys registered and we were informed that our matches would be played on pitch 3. The clouds started to clear and the sun started to shine on the astro pitches. In the first game against Ballybay, the Clara boys combined really well early on, mesmerising the opposition with some slick first touch passes. They continued in this vein with Ciarán & Caolan's flair up front leading to goals, Killian & Shay McD at the back keeping the opposition to minimal chances. The one chance Ballybay did get saw Shay L make a miraculous save to somehow keep the clean sheet intact. Tiarnán & Brendan came on and their fresh legs ensured Clara would secure a win in their first match - 6-0.
In the 2nd match, the Clara boys took on Knockatallon- renewing the Truagh Vs Scotstown rivalry (this time on the soccer field!). Knockatallon flew out of the blocks and scored early on. This filled them with confidence and they put Clara on the back foot for much of the early exchanges before finding the net twice more. Half time came and it was 3 nil to Knockatallon. The Clara boys remained calm and devised a plan to get back into the game. Killian pulled a goal back early on as Clara started to play better football, combining more and passing the ball around at ease. Ciarán volleyed in Clara's second. The Clara boys continued to press hard to find the equaliser but found that the opposition goalkeeper was in excellent form. Just as the game entered stoppage time, Ciarán got half and chance and somehow managed to find the bottom corner. The comeback was complete and the crowd went wild.! Knockatallon took tip and the referee indicated that there would be 90 seconds more to play. Clara got the ball back through another great save from Shay L. He quickly threw it out to Caolán who passed it across to Shay McD. Shay took it forward and played it back across to Caolán to stretch the play. Caolán immediately fired it into Ciarán who flicked it around the corner for Brendan to race onto. Brendan was through on goal with just the keeper to beat. Brendan fired it low into the net. Clara had snatched victory from the jaws of defeat. What a game!!
The final game pitted Clara against Ardaghey. Both of these teams had won their two matches so the winners of this tie would progress to the play-off match. The game was a tense affair, with both sides realising what was at stake. Clara had most of the possession early on but were struggling to break down Ardaghey's resolute defense. Shay L pulled off a great save following a counter attack from Ardaghey. The ball was cleared and eventually went out for a throw in to Clara. Shay McD came up to take it. He threw it really far into the opposition's half. Ciarán rose high to get the flick on. The ball fell perfectly into Killian's path but the keeper was out like a flash. Killian took one touch around the keeper and rolled it into the net. Another great team goal and it was one nil to Clara. Clara continued to look for another goal to secure the game. The had a corner kick which Ardaghey cleared and suddenly they were on the attack. Ardaghey found some space on front of goal and made no mistake. One One. It was all level. The pendulum then seemed to swing in Ardaghey's favour and they then created some good chances nearing the end of the game. However, more heroics from Shay L kept the game level. Final whistle and the game was a draw. What would happen next? Would it be a penalty shoot out? It was announced that extra time would be played. The two teams, now tiring in the heat, continued to attack each other in search of the winner. However both defenses were on top and the game remained level heading into the final seconds of the game when disaster struck for Clara. After a ricochet, the ball fell to Ardaghey's striker who poked the ball home to send them through.
Alas, it wasn't to be on this occasion. Best of luck to Ardaghey. The disappointment was clear for the Clara lads but as the old saying goes - "what doesn't kill you makes you stronger!" and this author is confident that they will be back stronger than ever.
When we arrived, the boys registered and we were informed that our matches would be played on pitch 3. The clouds started to clear and the sun started to shine on the astro pitches. In the first game against Ballybay, the Clara boys combined really well early on, mesmerising the opposition with some slick first touch passes. They continued in this vein with Ciarán & Caolan's flair up front leading to goals, Killian & Shay McD at the back keeping the opposition to minimal chances. The one chance Ballybay did get saw Shay L make a miraculous save to somehow keep the clean sheet intact. Tiarnán & Brendan came on and their fresh legs ensured Clara would secure a win in their first match - 6-0.
In the 2nd match, the Clara boys took on Knockatallon- renewing the Truagh Vs Scotstown rivalry (this time on the soccer field!). Knockatallon flew out of the blocks and scored early on. This filled them with confidence and they put Clara on the back foot for much of the early exchanges before finding the net twice more. Half time came and it was 3 nil to Knockatallon. The Clara boys remained calm and devised a plan to get back into the game. Killian pulled a goal back early on as Clara started to play better football, combining more and passing the ball around at ease. Ciarán volleyed in Clara's second. The Clara boys continued to press hard to find the equaliser but found that the opposition goalkeeper was in excellent form. Just as the game entered stoppage time, Ciarán got half and chance and somehow managed to find the bottom corner. The comeback was complete and the crowd went wild.! Knockatallon took tip and the referee indicated that there would be 90 seconds more to play. Clara got the ball back through another great save from Shay L. He quickly threw it out to Caolán who passed it across to Shay McD. Shay took it forward and played it back across to Caolán to stretch the play. Caolán immediately fired it into Ciarán who flicked it around the corner for Brendan to race onto. Brendan was through on goal with just the keeper to beat. Brendan fired it low into the net. Clara had snatched victory from the jaws of defeat. What a game!!
The final game pitted Clara against Ardaghey. Both of these teams had won their two matches so the winners of this tie would progress to the play-off match. The game was a tense affair, with both sides realising what was at stake. Clara had most of the possession early on but were struggling to break down Ardaghey's resolute defense. Shay L pulled off a great save following a counter attack from Ardaghey. The ball was cleared and eventually went out for a throw in to Clara. Shay McD came up to take it. He threw it really far into the opposition's half. Ciarán rose high to get the flick on. The ball fell perfectly into Killian's path but the keeper was out like a flash. Killian took one touch around the keeper and rolled it into the net. Another great team goal and it was one nil to Clara. Clara continued to look for another goal to secure the game. The had a corner kick which Ardaghey cleared and suddenly they were on the attack. Ardaghey found some space on front of goal and made no mistake. One One. It was all level. The pendulum then seemed to swing in Ardaghey's favour and they then created some good chances nearing the end of the game. However, more heroics from Shay L kept the game level. Final whistle and the game was a draw. What would happen next? Would it be a penalty shoot out? It was announced that extra time would be played. The two teams, now tiring in the heat, continued to attack each other in search of the winner. However both defenses were on top and the game remained level heading into the final seconds of the game when disaster struck for Clara. After a ricochet, the ball fell to Ardaghey's striker who poked the ball home to send them through.
Alas, it wasn't to be on this occasion. Best of luck to Ardaghey. The disappointment was clear for the Clara lads but as the old saying goes - "what doesn't kill you makes you stronger!" and this author is confident that they will be back stronger than ever.
Active Schools Flag is a Department of Education Initiative Supported by Healthy Ireland. The Active School Flag was launched by the Department of Education in May 2009 and is organised through Mayo Education Centre.
The purpose of the initiative is to recognise schools (primary, post primary and special schools) that strive to achieve a physically active and physically educated school community. The process aims to get more schools, more active, more often. We are working on the following areas: Physical Education, Physical Activity, Active School week & Partnerships...
As the Active School Process welcomes community involvement, we would encourage you to be active with your child at home. If you think you have any skills or ideas that would be of benefit in helping us to achieve our Active Flag, please let us know! We would love for you to get involved! Your support of the Active Flag is greatly appreciated!
Active Week 2024
Massive thanks to Mrs. McGuigan for organising some really fun events. Check out the photos!
Massive thanks to Mrs. McGuigan for organising some really fun events. Check out the photos!
Volleyball
We were delighted to have Francis in from Monaghan Sports Partnership to coach us how to play Volleyball.
We were delighted to have Francis in from Monaghan Sports Partnership to coach us how to play Volleyball.
Walk Around Monaghan
Our whole school joined together to walk around Monaghan. In school & at home, we measured the distanced we walked each day and added in together. Then, using the help of Google Maps, we were able to see where in Monaghan we had reached. We did that good of a team effort, that we made it around all the big towns in Monaghan, via all the GAA pitches, and even went outside of our county. Super effort everyone.
Our whole school joined together to walk around Monaghan. In school & at home, we measured the distanced we walked each day and added in together. Then, using the help of Google Maps, we were able to see where in Monaghan we had reached. We did that good of a team effort, that we made it around all the big towns in Monaghan, via all the GAA pitches, and even went outside of our county. Super effort everyone.
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