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Irish Independent
15-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
See photos from St Brigid's school graduation ball
The event is run by and completely paid for by and encourages family members to participate along with some of the 5th years students to let them experience the night before their own debs the following June. I wasn't too long there when I met up with Hollie McGuirk from Castle Heights who were there with Sheila, Shane and Ruby McGuirk. Hollie was looking exceptionally well and was definitely looking forward to her big night. Next to arrive was Leah Maher from Clogherhead with very proud parents Philip Howard and Caroline McDowell and Philip Howard along with Megan McDowell from Clogherhead and granny Patricia McDowell from Ashling Park who were all there to make sure the night was a huge success. After this I caught up with Luke Kenny from Silverhill who was looking very sharp in his blue suit and told me he had his dancing shoes on for later on. He was with parents Martina and Pat Kenny also from Silverhill who were there to make sure he had a marvelous night with all his class mates. I then headed over for a chat with teachers Sean Griffin from Newry and Scott Winters from Dromintee who said they were sure it was going to be a fantastic night for the graduates, but it will be sad to see them finish in the school and will all be missed. Not too long later I met up with Sean Griffin from Castle Heights who was looking great in his three piece suit and flat cap and yes he too was looking forward to getting on the dancefloor. He was there with Elaine, Barry, Dean, Kaitlin and Keeva Griffin from Castle Heights who said they couldn't wait for the night to really get under way and wanted to wish Sean all the best on his big night. I then headed over for a quick word with Tracy McManus from Marian Park who was there with son Jake McManus-Todd and aunt Gemma McManus from Carrick Road, Emma Howley from Woodbury Gardens and Olive Byrne from Inniskeen and Jake assured me they'd be plenty of dancing done that night. Just arrived in the door and looking extremely well was Jack Hillard from Garrybawn with parents Brendan and Rachel who assured me this was going to be a real night to remember. Not too long later I headed over for a chat with David, Frances and James Henry from Hackballscross who told me James wasn't actually graduating that night, but was there to see how the whole night panned out in ready for his big night next June! After this I met up with Ashlie McGuill from Priorland Gardens who was looking very well and was definitely up for making the best of the graduation with all her class mates. She was also there with sister Kellie and parents Shauna and John who assured me it was going to be a cracking evening. I was then asked to give a special mention to Zach McArdle from Mountpleasant who had graduated the previous year and was there helping out his dad Alan McArdle, main man from and said he's getting ready for the Marist debs later on in the year. They were also awaiting the arrival of Zach mum Niamh and his brother Alex (whatever you do don't mention me!) who were on their way for the big night. Not too long later Antunas and Eridianas Simkus, and Rima Simkute were just after arriving and Antunas was looking very well and was ready for a night of fun with his class mates. The award for the coolest jacket on the night had to go to the black and white outfit worn by Tadhg McConnell from Haggardstown and there to make sure he had an excellent night were Derek, Edel and Harry McConnell who told me he was ready for a night of fun. Just arriving in when I got a word with them were Anne Trainer from Ballapousta who was with sister and husband Evelyn and Derek Russell from Ballapousta to make sure Kevin had an excellent night. Well with an extra cool tuxedo and dickie bow his James Bond certainly looked the part. Not too long later I then met up with Simon Cranny from Omeath who was just after arriving with aunt and uncle Rosetta and Turlough from Lordship who told me they were definitely going to make the best of Simon's graduation ball. Making my way through the huge crowd gathering for the ball I then met up with Andrew and Louise Shaw from Louth Village who were delighted to be there with daughter Maya Shaw who was looking lovely and ready to make the best of her debs. After this I met Oskar Zalewski from Greenacres who was there with Joanne, Briege and Colin Coburn from Greenacres and they wanted to wish Oskar all the best on his graduation ball. They were then joined by woodwork teacher Eamonn McGee from Hilltown who wanted to wish all his students all the best for the future and hoe they had a marvelous night. Making my way through the crowds I then had the pleasure of meeting Maureen Maloney from Dromiskin and Elaine Kelly from Redbarns Road who both work in the school and wanted to wish the students all the best and if the night is as good as the excitement about the event during the week in the school, they'd be guaranteed and fantastic night. Finally, just before they all got called in to start the meal I met Nicky Mackin from Knockbridge who arrived with mum Niamh, grandparents Pat and Bernie, as well as Grainne and Padraic Mackin all from Knockbridge who were all in great form and told me it was going to be a special night for Nicky and the rest of his graduating class mates.
BBC News
08-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Ulster SFC: Armagh's Aaron McKay hoping to beat Donegal win the Ulster SFC
All-Ireland winning defender Aaron McKay believes it'll be "third time lucky" for Armagh when they face Donegal in Saturday's Ulster final. Despite winning their second All-Ireland title last year, the Orchard County have not lifted the Anglo Celt Cup since 2008, losing the 2023 final to Derry and last year's decider to Donegal in a penalty shootout. But McKay is hopeful that Armagh can turn the tide this year and finally get over the line. "It's definitely been too long for us. I suppose growing up and as child I remember going to Clones nearly every year and watching us win it, even a couple of times in Croker," McKay told BBC Sport NI. "Even in those days throughout the mid 2000s we had great rivalries with Donegal, and you never thought at the time that it would end. It's unfortunate that they did and it's definitely went on for too long. "Getting to one final and not getting over the line is one thing, people might say 'well we'll be back next year and finally get over the hill' and we didn't, but hopefully it'll be third time lucky on Sunday, and we'll bring it back." The 29-year-old has not played since last year's All-Ireland final win over Galway at Croke Park - where he scored his county's only goal - because of an injury that required surgery. But the Dromintee man does feel that he is nearing a return with the All-Ireland SFC round-robin series games his target. "The plan was to be back for a championship because I knew I wasn't going to be back for the league even way back in say October, November time," he added. "I knew that because I couldn't even get playing for the club in August and then I kind of just came to the conclusion that steroids and stuff weren't working anymore and that I had to get the operation. "To be ready for the first group game in the All-Ireland series, anything earlier than that's a bonus, it's kind of where I'm still at. "At the same time, one part of you is telling yourself that you are ready, but the head can sometimes be ignorant and stubborn enough and you want to plough ahead. If Geezer (Kieran McGeeney) would put the faith in me, I'd definitely throw myself in."
