Author: Hazelwood College

Hazelwood Nets First Senior Basketball Title

Hazelwood Nets First Senior Basketball Title

Hazelwood College beat Castletroy, the powerhouse of Limerick Schoolgirls’ basketball, to claim their first county senior basketball title in front of a packed house at the UL Arena. The Hazelwood girls have come off second best to Castletroy for the past two years and the signs were again ominous after a lacklustre campaign this year. However a good showing against St. John the Baptist School, Hospital, four days prior to the final rekindled the spark that had been missing since the defeat in the All-Ireland final of the previous year.

Castletroy took an early lead in the first quarter as Hazelwood struggled to cope with the excellent inside play of Castletroy’s tall post players. Celia Cremin kept Hazelwood in touch with two good baskets before Victoria Harnett and team captain Ciara Meaney leveled the score with a basket each.

Hazelwood took to the floor for the second quarter, confidence boosted, and attacked the Castletroy defence. Never before have I witnessed these girls attack a quality defence with such skill and vigour. A combination of lightning fast breaks by Maire Flanagan and Vickie Harnett, aggressive drives by Celia Cremin and gritty defence by everyone saw Hazelwood outscore Castletroy by eleven points to two before Ciara Meaney nailed a three pointer with two seconds on the clock in the second quarter.

The dreaded nerves appeared at the beginning of the third quarter. Loose shots from outside gave the ball back to Castletroy too easily. Solid defence from Emma Purcell and Miriam Noonan in the centre of the key and Aoife Leahy in the corner made it difficult for Castletroy to capitalise on Hazelwood’s limping offence. A quick timeout settled the team and the girls went back on court and took control. Baskets from Cremin, Meaney and Flanagan gave Hazelwood a commanding 29 – 14 lead with one quarter to play.

The final quarter was played at a frenetic pace. Castletroy applied an aggressive full court press in an attempt to force quick turnover ball. Hazelwood, playing just one post and four perimeter players, easily broke the press and repeatedly scored from the fast break. Castletroy were reluctant to give up their title and dug deep to outscore Hazelwood by 18 points to 16 in the last quarter. The final action of the game saw Deborah Daly seal victory with a classy layup from a fast break by Suzanne Sheehy and Anita Lucey.

It was a special day for all concerned but especially so for four Leaving Cert students who were playing their last game for the school after many years fighting in the trenches with no reward. Best wishes for the future to Aoife, Ciara, Miriam and Vickie.

Photo
Back Row L-R : Desmond Lambe, Miriam Noonan, Suzanne Sheehy, Emma Purcell, Deborah Daly, Celia Cremin

Front Row L-R : Anita Lucey, Aoife Leahy, Ciara Meaney (Captain), Vickie Harnett, Maire Flanagan

Log On Learning Transition Year Graduates at Hazelwood College

Log On Learning Transition Year graduates at Hazelwood College

Following a successful Log On Learn programme at Hazelwood College participants received their certificates of completion. Photo includes Principal Mr Brendan Burke, TY tutors and newly qualified LOL TY graduates.

Log On, Learn is a nationwide programme run in conjunction with Transition Year. Its aim is to guide senior members of the community through an introduction to computers by using a ‘buddy’ system whereby a transition year student sits with each participant so that they get individual and personalised tuition. This is the first time the course has been run at Hazelwood College and it has been a great success. Each week a different topic was covered so that over the course of 6 weeks participants gained computer knowledge and became more confident. Transition year students themselves became the teachers and it was a great way of bringing the school and the wider community together. Following its great success it is hoped to run the programme again in the autumn.

Innovative Hazelwood Students rise to the Challenge!

Innovative Hazelwood Students rise to the Challenge!

Agri Aware with the support of Bord Bia and AIB set a challenge earlier in the school year for budding enterprising students to come up with an innovative marketable product or service. Hazelwood College students with an entrepreneurial spirit rose to the challenge and many business ideas were put forward to the Home Economics Department based on the areas of food, agriculture and the environment.

Two senior teams were successful with their business submissions and were chosen to participate in the Munster Regional Heats of the Green Dragon Challenge. “GreenFlow” is the brainchild idea of Fifth Year students Paudie Walsh and Michael Twomey while Transition Year students Deborah Daly, Mairead Noonan and Megan Ahern are the creators of “Handy Fuels”.

Under the guidance of Ms. Daly, Mr. O’ Grady, Mr. Hennessey and Mr. Keane the students worked extremely hard on their business and marketing plans. The students ingenuity and creativity skills were evident during the creation of marketing tools such as a television advertisement and a brochure. Each team had the unenviable task of having only five minutes to pitch their business idea before the judges using only a storyboard. They then had to be able to answer questions regarding the feasibility of their business idea, target market, product strategy, pricing etc.

More than 100 business and marketing ideas from students across the province were pitched before the judging panel on Saturday 13th April in the Fir grove Hotel in Mitchelstown Co. Cork.

The overall winner of the competition will receive project and mentoring development worth €10,000 to build up their business and a €2,000 cash prize shared between them and their school. Five runners-up will be awarded €500 each. The winners will be chosen at a final in March. All fingers and toes are crossed for our budding entrepreneurial hopefuls!

Annual Variety Show – Extra Night Added

Annual Variety Show – Extra Night Added – Sunday

Hazelwood College Annual Variety Show due to demand an extra night has been added to the show – Sunday 28th March

This year the variety show will be followed by a performance inspired by the music from the movie Dirty Dancing.

Tickets for both Friday and Saturday Night are now sold out
Tickets for Sunday Night now available from the school reception

Adults €10
OAP/Children €5

Doors open each night from 7pm – Ticket Only.

Childcare Visit

On Friday the 12th March second year Home Economics pupils organised a visit to Lios na Si. They were greeted by the manager Edel Curtis and the leaders of each of the four sections i.e. baby room, toddlers, pre-school and montessori. Pupils were able to not only observe but to interact and ask questions regarding the developmental stages of the children, health and safety policies, the qualifications and vast skills of the staff, facilities available etc. All pupils enjoyed the experience and were able to complete their report with great ease which will be submitted as part of their Child Care Project which can allow them to earn 15% in the Junior Certificate examination.

Munster “A” Vocational Hurling Final News

Causeway comfortably win Munster “A” Vocational Hurling Final


Causeway Comprehensive 4-13
Hazelwood College, Dromcollogher 1-8

Causeway Comprehensive backed up an U16 All-Ireland hurling title with a Munster final victory at Senior level against Hazelwood College in Abbeyfeale. Full-forward Padraig Boyle opened the scoring in the first minute for Causeway, but Hazelwood quickly pegged them back scoring three points in the opening five minutes – two from Jamie Coughlan frees and a lovely score from corner-forward Jerry Lane. Tommy Barrett brought the difference back to the minimum through a long-range free. In the 10th minute Jamie Coughlan picked up the ball on the wing and soloed through the heart of the Causeway defence to score a beauty of a goal to leave the score-line on1-3 to two points and Causeway seemed under serious pressure. However in the 13th minute Causeway took control for a devastating ten minute spell. Shane Dunne, at corner forward scored 1-2, Anthony Fealy added two points of his own, with Padraig Boyle and Muiris Delaney adding a point each. With seven minutes to half time the score had changed to 1-8 to 1-3 in Causeway’s favour. Hazelwood rallied dominating possession until half time, Jamie Coughlan adding two points. Hazelwood had a couple of goal chances in this spell that would have levelled it but instead Causeway managed to sneak one at the other end. This meant that instead of going in level at half-time the score as now 2-8 to 1-5 and Hazelwood had a mountain to climb.

They quickly reduced this deficit after the break with a Jamie Coughlan point. He then traded points with Causeway midfielder Muiris Delaney. This was however to be Hazelwood’s last score until an injury time Paddy Sheey point as Causeway turned on the style and well and truly drove home their advantage. They were free scoring for the last fifteen minutes of the game, scoring 2-4. Daniel Collins and Padraig Boyle scored the goals, Shane Dunne scored two points and Luke Fitzell and Brendan Burke scoring one each. All that was left to do was for Kilmoyley man Tommy Mansell to lift the cup for a Causeway team that were indisputably the better team and worthy Munster Champions. Causeway now progress onto the All-Ireland Semi-final where they will hope to emulate the achievement of their U/16 team, while Hazelwood have to face the back door.

Causeway Comprehensive:
Nicky Leen, Bryan Murphy, Chris McCarthy, Dougie Fitzell, Tommy Mansell, Brendan Brosnan(0-1 0-1 free), Mark O’Regan, Tommy Barrett, Muiris Delaney(0-1), Daniel Collins(1-0), Anthony Fealy(0-2), Luke Fitzell(0-2), Shane Dunne(1-5 O-2 frees), Padraig Boyle(2-2), Tim O’ Brien Subs used: Ricky Heffernan for Tim O’ Brien (40 Minutes)
Joe McElligot, Eric O’Connor, John Silles, Pa O’Regan, Gary Galway, Paul McGrath, Mikie O’ Halloan, Tomas Casey

Hazelwood College:
Kevin O’Callaghan, Sean O’Riordan, Barry Lynch, Billy Naughton, John Barrett, Tadgh O’Flynn, Jamie Coughlan Seamus Sheehan, Michael Fitzgibbon, Jerry lane(0-1), Paddy Sheehy(0-1), Kevin Noonan Keith Lacey, Jamie Coughlan (1-6, 6 frees) Jimmy Kiely
Subs used: Micheal Brosnan for Keith lacey (45 minutes) , Padraig Lane for Seamus sheehan(45 minutes)
Ian Carroll, Brian Noonan, Daniel Egan, Paddy Hassett, Matthew Whelan, Diarmuid Coleman, Darren Boyce, Shane Carroll, David O’Donnell, Cian Mulcahy Danny McCarthy


Click on image to see full size

Munster A Camogie title Captured by Hazelwood College

Munster A Camogie title Captured by Hazelwood College


Hazelwood College 3-5
St Marys, Mallow 0-3

Dromcollogher GAA pitch was the venue for the Munster A Intermediate final where Hazelwood College took on formidable opponents St Marys, Mallow. The opening ten minutes was fast and furious played at a ferocious pace with Mallow dominating much of the play. Hazelwood College looked in trouble when St Marys opened the scoring with a well taken free. Niamh O Brien opened Hazelwood’s account with a point. Hazelwood had much of the play but could not seem to get through the Mallow defence. Amy Ryan had a fantastic save on the goal mouth and this seemed to wake Hazelwood up. All of a sudden there was a spark within the Dromcollogher side and a hunger was ignited within the whole team. Hazelwood’s defence battled hard and managed to keep the Mallow forwards at bay, scoring only from frees and a well struck forty-five yard puck. Meanwhile Hazelwood’s midfield duo of Tara Hurley and Grainne Sheehy worked tirelessly and delivered quality ball into the forward line. Up front Hazelwood had much possession but bad luck and some sticky defending by the St. Mary’s backs limited scoring output. Clever ball was played across the field to centre forward extrodinaire Ms. Aideen “Aidy Bear” O’ Flynn who ran in and resulted in a fantastic point. Meanwhile Niamh O’ Brien slotted over a forty-five to leave the Hazelwood girls go in at half time leading 0-4 to Mallow’s 0-3.

As the second half commenced, Hazelwood came out fighting- whatever Ms. Herbert had said during the break it did the trick! Every ball was contested with 100% and it was not long before the difference between the two teams became apparent. A quick well taken goal was taken by Aideen O’ Flynn and Hazelwood College now found themselves somewhat in control of the game. Each time the sliotar went in Mallow were put under great pressure by the Hazelwood full forward line of Katie Dillane, Becky Ryan and Sarah Moloney, who hassled and made sure no ball came out easily. In this half our full back line found themselves with little to deal with but the few balls that went in, they were sent out efficiently by Joanne Murray and Aisling O’ Brien. Sarah O’ Sullivan was brought on and delivered a inch-perfect ball into the full forward line. A goal line shuffle resulted in a goal for Hazelwood College taken by Máire Flanagan. Mallow’s forwards tried hard to force their way into scoring range but ultimately were not allowed through by the powerful play put in by Emma Browne, Niamh O’ Brien and lightening fast runs made by Katie O’ Sullivan up the wing. On one of these runs Katie landed the sliotar at the feet of Kallie Hodgson who took on her player and in turn put the ball over the bar. Ms. Herbert, moved our full back, Máiread Geary up to full forward which led to a goal. As soon as Máiread got ball in hand she only had one thing in mind and the finish left the poor Mallow goalkeeper wondering what had just happened! As the referee blew the final whistle, Hazelwood rejoiced after what had been their best display so far. Well done to the team and their coach Ms. Herbert on the deserved win!

Panel- Amy Ryan, Joanne Murray, Máiread Geary, Aishling O’ Brien, Katie O’ Sullivan, Niamh O’ Brien, Emma Browne, Tara Hurley, Gráinne Sheehy, Máire Flanagan, Aideen O Flynn, Kallie Hodgscon, Katie Dillane, Becky Ryan, Sarah Moloney, Niamh Cagney, Sarah O Sullivan, Breda Larkin, Elaine Noonan, Kara Clifford, Katie Coughlan, Helen Bradley, Caroline Watson.

Click on images to enlarge