24th March 2023

Top Class Performance from Roscommon Community College wins the Briery Gap Perpetual Cup in the TY All-Ireland Drama Festival, Cork.

Roscommon Community College Drama group were finalists in the TY All-Ireland Drama Competition held at the Everyman Theatre in Cork 21st March last. The group's astounding performance of the courtroom scene from William Shakespeare's play 'The Merchant of Venice' won them the Best Newcomer Award and the Briery Gap Perpetual Cup, a testament to their talent and authentic performance on stage. The ingredients of drama were played out in abundance on stage in this exceptional performance, with each cast member delivering a powerful and captivating portrayal of their characters.

The cast, comprising of Conor Pearce as Shylock, Jennifer Coyle as Antonio, the merchant of Venice, Vizma Bajuka as Portia in disguise, Aoife Dolan as the Duke residing over the court proceedings, Jacob Leonard as Bassanio, Timothy Gill as Gratiano, Jonathan Hunt as Salerio, Luke Mitchell and Alison Porter as the court's clerks, put on a captivating display of acting that left the judges and audience spellbound. Their attention to detail in their performances was commendable, with each cast member bringing their character to life with authenticity and depth.

The group's supporters, cast, crew, and teachers travelled from Roscommon to Cork to attend this prestigious drama event, and they were not disappointed. The set design was striking, and the period costumes added an extra layer of authenticity to the performance. From the outset, Roscommon Community College set the bar high, and their hard work paid off.

Ms Yvonne Doyle and Ms Joanne Cleary, the directors and mentors to the cast and crew, deserve a special mention for their guidance and dedication, which played a significant role in the group's success. Their tireless efforts in ensuring that the students received the necessary support and training undoubtedly contributed to the students' exceptional performance.

The future of the performing arts is strong in Roscommon Community College, with such talented and dedicated students and teachers paving the way for more outstanding performances in the years to come. Congratulations to Roscommon Community College TY Drama group on their outstanding performance and magnificent achievement.

Pictured are RCC's TY Drama Group performing the courtroom scene from Shakespeare's 'The Merchant of Venice' at The Everyman, Cork

Luke Mitchell and Aoife Dolan celebrating their recent success at the TY All-Ireland Drama Competition held at the Everyman Theatre in Cork

24th March 2023

Last week our U14 girls played their last group game away to Boyle. It was a very enjoyable game with lots of talent on display throughout the 60 minutes. RCC came out on top finishing off the year on a high.

Boyle started off the stronger team with two excellent points from play. The ball was moved up and down the pitch with both sets of backs on top. Julia Grzegorczyk was excellent in full back coming out with the ball time after time. She was assisted by Sophie Cox who not only swept up ball in the back line but superbly transitioned it into the forward line setting up numerous scores for RCC. Eabhanna Sheridan and Grace Dowling continuously caused trouble for the Boyle back line as they attacked the goal every time they got the ball. At half time Boyle lead by 2 points in what was a very evenly matched first half.

RCC had the aid of a slight breeze in the second half which they used to their advantage. The first goal for RCC came 10 minutes into the second half. A good kickout from Maebh Carley found Keela Kelly who found Eabhanna running down the right wing. Eabhanna, Lara Humborg and Grace combined well in the forward line to finish the ball in the back of the net. From this point forward RCC grew in confidence with excellent points from Sara Stephens and Zoe King. Lisa Morris and Caoimhe Murray remained tight in the back line keeping Boyle out on numerous occasions while Leah Flynn worked tirelessly in midfield. Four points was the difference at the end of the game in what was a very competitive game by two evenly matched teams. Well done girls on an excellent win and finishing the year off on a high. 

24th March 2023

24th March 2023

Mercy Secondary School Kilbeggan - 2                              RCC - 5

The 1st year Boys’ Soccer team travelled to Moate, Co. Westmeath onTuesday,14th of March to take on their opponents Mercy Secondary School, Kilbeggan. This game was the semi-final of the West Leinster Division 2 League and both sides were eager to book their place in the final. RCC had the worst possible start to the match as Kilbeggan scored within the first 30 seconds of the game. One of the Kilbeggan attackers was played through on the right-hand side of the RCC defence and after a very good touch the Kilbeggan striker hit a low and hard shot into the bottom right corner of the net leaving RCC goalkeeper Ruari Kerr with no chance of saving it. RCC regrouped and responded well with left winger Lewis Smyth hitting the Kilbeggan crossbar with a long-range strike only a few minutes later. RCC deservedly drew level when Luke Hayes eventually forced the ball home into the Kilbeggan net after a scramble in the box from a corner. From this point until the end of the first half, RCC dominated possession. However, chances from both Lewis Smyth and Luke Hayes were both denied by the Kilbeggan goalkeeper It was going to take something special to beat the Kilbeggan goalkeeper and that’s exactly what RCC midfielder Joao Santos delivered. Santos picked up the ball 25 yards out from goal and produced a thunderbolt of a shot which went straight into the top right hand corner of the net leaving the Kilbeggan goalkeeper with no chance of saving it. Lewis Smyth then added a third goal for RCC just before half-time hitting a low shot into the left-hand corner of the net.

Plenty of fluids and words of encouragement were taken on during the half-time break but the weather took a turn, and the second half began with a mixture of rain and sleet to add to the competitiveness of the game. Luke Hayes grabbed his second goal of the game five minutes into the second half when his shot from outside the box flew in low past the Kilbeggan goalkeeper. Jack Lally and Thomas Hanley made several vital interceptions at the back and in midfield to stop various Kilbeggan counterattacks. One of these interceptions led Jack Lally to feed the ball into Lucas DeSousa in midfield who then drove at the Kilbeggan defence and released a low and hard shot which found the back of the net. The wet and cold conditions didn’t help the Kilbeggan goalkeeper in this situation as the ball slipped by his hands on its way to the back of the net. With RCC 5-1 up changes were made to freshen things up and all substitutes were used but it was Kilbeggan who scored the last goal of the game with a few minutes to go to make it 5-2. This proved too late as RCC saw the game out and booked their place in the final.

There were some fine displays by the players in the blue and yellow kit of RCC with special mentions to Daniel Monaghan and Thomas Hanley in defence, Jack Lally and Lucas DeSousa in midfield along with Lewis Smyth and Luke Hayes up front but the man of the match was Joao Santos for his wonder goal which turned the momentum of the game in RCC’s favour.

RCC Team: GK Ruari Kerr, LB Daniel Monaghan, CB Alan Gately, CB Thomas Hanley, RB Callum Kerr, CM Joao Santos, CM Jack Lally, CM Lucas DeSousa, LW Lewis Smyth, ST Luke Hayes, RW Yurii Shumyhora, James Bolger, Jonah Finneran, Tom Og Reddington and Coman Campbell.