What happened in the school year 1999-2000 in Douglas Community School?

20 May 2000
Ronnie Neville of first year came second in the High Jump at the South Munster Schools' Track and Field Championship in Castleisland, Co Kerry.

18 May 2000
The annual Gradam Awards evening was held in the school hall this evening, to publicly reward students who had excelled during the past year. The guest speaker for the evening was the Garda Chief Superintendent, Adrian Culligan, who also presented the prizes.

First Year Endeavour Awards:
Kieran Dineen
Alan McCarthy
Ian O'Mullane
Timothy Linehan
John Twomey
Seamus Howard
Cian Boland
Thomas O'Sullivan
Thomas O'Connor

Junior Gradam Awards:
Paul Budds
Paul Kelly
Other Nominations:
Stephen Stocking
Michael Lingwood
Senan Andrews
Colin Irwin
James P. McCarthy
Barry O'Connor

Student Of The Year Junior Certificate 1999
Conor Foley

Student's Student Of The Year
Darren Hayes

Senior Gradam Awards:
Paul Sheehan
Alan Sheehan
Other Nominations:
David Sheehan
Owen Dwyer
Liam O'Drisceoil
Steven Macklin
Richard Kearney
Aidan O'Mahony

Principal's Award For Outstanding Achievement
Eamonn Joyce

Sports Awards

Athletics: Eamonn Joyce

Basketball
Senior: Ross Ewing
Junior: Barry Reid

Hurling: Seamus O'Donoghue

Cork U-16 Hurling Champions

Gaelic Football:
Senior: Garry McLoughlin
Junior: Anthony McCarthy

Soccer:
Senior: Derek Bowen
Junior :David Hackett

Munster U-18 Soccer Champions

Swimming: Chris Kelleher

Tennis Team: David McCabe, Paul Brickley, Adrian Manning, Colm O'Brien

Pitch & Putt Team: Cathal Foley,William McCarthy, Robert O'Donoghue, Shane O'Connor, Aaron O'Callaghan

Chess: Alosha Pokrovskii

Cross Country: Niall Duncan

All-Ireland Mountain Champions: N. Duncan, S. Macklin, E. Dwyer, E. Joyce, D. Browne, B. Lynch

Fourth Year Internet Project: P. Cremin,.S. O'Sullivan, B. Quinn, E. Brickley, C. O'Brien

All- Ireland Public Speaking Champions: Kieran French, Brian Brady, David Ahern, Michael Barry

Art: Rick McGroarty, Des O'Mahony, Andrew Murphy, Eoin O'Sullivan.

Lord Mayor For A Day Competition Winner: Farran Donovan

Outstanding Contribution To School Events: Billy McCarthy, Eoghan O'Neill, Eoin O'Callaghan

Meitheal: Frank O'Driscoll

Transition Year Community Service: Michael Waldron, Bernard Quinn, Liam Strahan

Transition Year Awards: Colin Holley, Kevin Falvey, Daniel Fleming, William Hosford.

10 May 2000
The annual school sports day was held today in glorious weather. Every class in the school participated in the numerous events. The overall winning class in the junior school was NT3 and in the senior school was 6.1. Both classes win a day trip to Kinsale Outdoor Pursuits Centre next Monday.

9 May 2000
The U-16 tennis team won the Munster Schools' Shield, beating Nenagh CBS. The team was Paul Brickley, Adrian Manning, Colm O'Brien and David McCabe.

6 May 2000
Niall Duncan, sixth year, was a member of the Irish team who won first place in the cross-country running Schools International in Scotland and he came fourth in the individual classification.

5 May 2000
A big fund-raising day today for the Romanian Orphanages Appeal. As well as it being a no-uniform day, first and second year classes had a morning of sports activities and in the afternoon the fifth year LCVP classes had a soccer match between the staff and students, which ended in a 1-1 draw. In excess of IR£1,700 was raised.

4 May 2000
A good start to the third term, when the U-18 soccer team won the final of the Munster school's cup at Turner's Cross, against Coláiste Cairbre of Dunmanway. They had a very good first half, which they dominated, going in 3-0 at the break. The Dunmanway lads came back into it in the second half, scoring once and unlucky not to have another but DCS finished 3-1 ahead. The Douglas scorers were Gerard O'Donovan, Brian Wilkinson and Derek Bowen.

15 April 2000
For the second year running, the school won the national final of the Mental Health Public Speaking Competition. The team of David Ahern, Brian Brady, Kieran French and Michael Barry deserve great congratulations for their victory. The final was held in Trinity College, Dublin.

14 April 2000
A big day in the history of the school. We held our 25th anniversary rededication ceremonies today, in the presence of the Minister for Health and Children, Micheál Martin, and a huge gathering of local and national guests. We also unveiled a specially commissioned sculpture by Sean McCarthy at the front of the school. Sean's best known works are probably his bronzes of Christy Ring in the terminal building at Cork Airport and of Bill Clinton in Ballybunion.

4 April 2000
The fifth year Leaving Cert Vocational classes hosted a visit to the school of Adi Roche of the Chernobyl Children's Project, accompanied by two of the drivers setting out for Chernobyl with a convoy of aid on 9 April. The students presented Adi with a cheque for £600, collected in various fund-raising events.

31 March 2000
First and second place were won by Alan Sheehan and Paul Sheehan (no relation), respectively, in the Feis Maitiú Senior Ex Tempore Public Speaking competition today. Both are sixth year students. In addition, David O'Connor and Peter McDonald, both of fourth year, came second and third respectively in the U-16 and U-18 public speaking competitions at the Feis.

30 March 2000
The basketball team won again in the Second Year League, this time 36-35 against Carrigaline Community School, away in Carrigaline, Colin Doyle scoring an impressive 25 points for us. They are now qualified for the Cork Schools' semi-final.

28 March 2000
In the inter-schools' Second Year League the basketball team won their match against Coláiste an Phiarsaigh at Little Island Court, with a score of 40-26.

24 March 2000
At Nenagh, Co Tipperary, the school's public speaking team (David Ahern, Brian Brady, Kieran French and Michael Barry) were successful in winning through to the All-Ireland final. They spoke on the topic "Mental health - the cornerstone of a truly inclusive, just and educated society?". The final will be held in Trinity College, Dublin in April.

20 March 2000
The school's U-16 hurling team won the Cork colleges final, defeating Coláiste Choilm of Ballincollig by 2-15 to 1-6.

On the same day the U-16 soccer team played in the Munster final in Limerick. Ahead until the last minute of the game, we allowed Limerick CBS to equalise and they then went on to win 3-2 in extra time.

8 March 2000
The U-16 Gaelic football team progressed to the Cork colleges semi-final by travelling to Youghal and defeating Youghal CBS on a scoreline of 2-12 to 1-11.

4 March 2000
A good performance all-round by the school's cross-country running teams, in particular by Niall Duncan, 6th year, and Mark Hanrahan, 2nd year, who both qualified for the All-Ireland finals.

1 March 2000
The school's mountain running team won the Irish schools' final in Co. Wicklow. Niall Duncan also had a convincing win in the individual section. The other members of the team were Eamon Joyce, Eoin O'Dwyer, Donal Browne, Steven Macklin and Brian Lynch. See photos of Niall running away from the rest of the competitors and of the team just after their victory.

28 February 2000
The Southern Regional final of the Mental Health Public Speaking Project was won by the school team in Cahir, Co Tipperary. Speaking on the topic "Ireland 2000 - whither our mental health and hopes for the future?" The team of David Ahern, Brian Brady, Kieran French and Michael Barry now go on to the national semi-final.

12 February 2000
The U-16 basketball team continue winning, coming out on top of a four-team playoff in Limerick, beating all three of the other schools, Rockwell College, Thurles, Kilkenny CBS and Sexton St of Limerick. They now go on to the All-Ireland final in Dublin in March.

8 February 2000
In soccer the U-13 team qualified for the semi-final of the Munster Cup by defeating St Brendan's of Killarney on a scoreline of 3-1.

The U-18 team recorded a magnificent victory over St Caimin's of Shannon with a score of 4-1, to reach the final of the Munster Cup.

7 February 2000
The U-16 hurling team qualified for the Cork county final by defeating St Aidan's 2-10 to 0-5 in a replay.

5 February 2000
Chris Kelleher of 2nd Year competed in the All-Ireland Schools Swimming Championships at Leisureland, Galway, winning the 100 metre freestyle and getting 3rd place in the 100 metre breaststroke. He is now selected on the Irish schools team.

2 February 2000
A great double in basketball at Neptune Stadium today. The U-16 squad won 41-30 against Coláiste Mhuire from Crosshaven and the U-19 team won 74-65 against Coláiste Mhuire of Cobh. These were outstanding performances by both teams resulting in truly well-deserved victories. Special mention to Brian Wilkinson, who coached the U-16s on the day and then went on to play himself in the U-19 squad.

26 January 2000
The U-14 soccer team won the quarter final of the County Cup in Cobh, beating Cobh Community College by 5-2, with Senan Andrews getting three goals, and Gary Drennan and Alan Sexton one each.

18 January 2000
Our U-16 Gaelic football team beat Ballincollig Community School, away, in the first round of the Cork Colleges Championship. The top scorers for Douglas were Colin Doyle, Damian McNamara, Conor Alcock, Richard Harris, Shane Counihan.

17 January 2000
The Cork area final of the Mental Health Public Speaking competition was won by the school at the Fitzpatrick Silversprings Hotel. The team of David Ahern, Brian Brady, Kieran French and Michael Barry spoke on the topic "A new millennium, a new era for mental health". The defeated finalists were St Goban's of Bantry and Carrigaline Community School.

16 December
The now-annual Advent Service once more was held this evening. The centre piece of the service was provided by the school choir under the baton of Mr Gerry Motherway. See a photo of the rehearsals.

9 December 1999
The U-14 hurling team defeated Carraig na bhFear in the Cork Colleges Championship by a score of 2-7 to 0-3.

7 December 1999
The public speaking team of Dave Ahern, Brian Brady, Kieran French and Michael Barry won again, this time at Coláiste Choilm, Ballincollig, defeating the hosts and Boherbue Comprehensive School.

The U-16 and U-19 basketball teams both had victories against Crosshaven, in the school Sports Hall, this afternoon.

24 November 1999
Two of the school basketball teams went to play in Skibbereen today and both of them won their games against St Fachna's, the U-19 team by 64-32 and the U-16 team by 45-39.

The public speaking team of Dave Ahern, Brian Brady, Kieran French and Michael Barry won their first round competition, defeating Presentation College, Mitchelstown and local rivals Christ King School. This was in the prestigious Mental Health Public Speaking Competition which the school won at national level last year.

22 November 1999
The four students whose designs were chosen to appear on this year's school Christmas cards went to the City Hall this morning to present the Lord Mayor with a set of the cards. They were Eoin O'Sullivan, Rick McGroarty, Andrew Murphy and Des O'Mahony. Proceeds of the sale of the cards will go to local charities. View the cards here.

The U-14 hurling team defeated Patrician Academy, Mallow, with a scoreline of 2-12 (18 pts) to 1-3 (6 pts).

15 November 1999
The U-16 basketball team had a convincing win against Ballincollig Community School (C team), winning 80-20.

Julian Davis was chosen as the school winner of the Rotary Youth Leadership competition, from among ten nominees. The interview panel was chaired by Roger Flack of Hamilton Osborne King, Auctioneers and also included Jim Harvey, Managing Director Warner Lambert, Cork and Harry McCullagh, a past pupil of the school and now practising as a solicitor in Douglas.

10 November 1999
The U-18 soccer team won their County Cup quarter-final match against Nagle Community College by a score of 4-2, with Derek Bowen, Gerard O'Donovan (2) and Cathal Hipwell getting the Douglas goals.

A heart-breaking one point was all that separated the two teams in the U-19 basketball team's defeat by Patrician College, Newbridge, Co. Kildare. We went a point behind with only two seconds remaining, after an excellent second half for Douglas, Billy Edmonds and Ross Ewing (voted the MVP on the day) doing particularly well.

4 November 1999
The U-15 soccer team drew 2-2 with Terence McSwiney Community College, Knocknaheeny. The Douglas scorers were S. Counihan and F. O'Sullivan.

22 October 1999
The U-16 soccer team had a 3-2 win over St Aidan's Community College in a home friendly, Declan O'Connell scoring a hat-trick for us.

19 October 1999
The U-19 basketball team won their first-round match of the BOI Cup, Southern Section, in Clonmel, Co Tipperary, against the local Scoil na mBraithre team. In the 59 to 41 points win, the top DCS scorers were Brian Wilkinson (25) and Ross Ewing (14). Julian Davis got the MVP award and Cathal O'Connor was excellent as acting DCS coach.

The U-15 soccer team repeated the success of their U-17 colleagues, winning 1-0 against Presentation College in a home game.

15 October 1999
In the first of the challenge matches in preparation for the start of the new season, the U-17 soccer team beat Presentation College, of the Mardyke, by 3 - 0. The goal scorers were Shane O'Shea (2) and Gary McLoughlin.

13 October 1999
The pitch and putt team won the Munster Schools Championships, by a margin of 14 shots, returning a score of 398, 34 under par, at the Waterford Crystal Pitch and Putt Club course. The players were Robert O'Donoghue (95 gross), Conor Foley (98), Shane O'Connor (102), Aaron O'Callaghan (103) and William McCarthy (106).

1 October 1999
The public speaking team of Paul Sheehan, Eamon Joyce and Alan Sheehan who won the national final of the Mental Health Public Speaking Competition last March were invited to speak to the annual conference of the Mental Health Association of Ireland in Tralee tonight and their presentation was extremely well received.

29 September 1999
The cross country team had a number of successes in the East Cork School Cross Country Championship. Niall Duncan (6th Year) and Ronnie Neville (1st year) were each first in their age categories, Mark Hanrahan (2nd Year) was second and Stephen Macklin (6th Year) was third. Also awarded prizes were Brian Lynch (5th Year), Donal Browne (6th Year), Ian Tivy (1st year) and Gary Hanrahan (2nd Year).

28 - 30 August 1999
Christopher Kelleher of NS2 won a gold medal for swimming in the 50 Metre Breaststroke competition at the Community Games in Mosney, Co Meath. He was representing Cork and won his heat and his semi-final, as well as the final.

This weekend saw the departure of David Moore, of last year's Fifth Year, to Glasgow, where he has signed for Celtic on a year's contract. David was playing for Cork City and was a stalwart of the U-18 school team which won last year's Cork Senior School's Cup. Best of luck to David on this new stage of his footballing career.

30 July - 1 August 1999
Two students from Sixth Year (99-00) represented Ireland in the European Youth Rowing Championships, La Coupe de Jeunesse de l'Aviron, at Inniscarra. Eamon Joyce was in the Junior Eights who won gold medals in both of their finals. Clifford Hayes won a gold medal and a silver medal in the Junior Men's Pairs.

29 May 1999
The Munster Athletics Association Schools' Championship was held at the Cork Institute of Technology and three students won medals: Niall Duncan (Fifth Year) won gold in the 3000 metres, Eamon Joyce (Fifth Year) won silver in both shot-putt and javelin and Alan Sexton (Second Year) won silver in the 200 metres.

26 May 1999
The U-13 soccer team won the Cork Schools Cup, winning 3-0.

25 May 1999
The Sixth Year graduation night was marked by the saying of a special Mass, accompanied by a choir made up of Fifth year students, under the baton of Mr Motherway. The Assembly Area was packed for the occasion by the students and their families and the evening concluded with the serving of light refreshments.

24 May 1999
The Transition Year Awards were presented in the evening. A large turnout of the Fourth Year students and their parents saw the presentation and the exhibition of the projects undertaken by the students during the year.

19 May 1999
In the morning, the annual school sports were held in the school grounds and sports hall. The majority of students took part in a number of competitions, both traditional athletic events and other "novelty" contests, and the inter-class competitions were decided on aggregate points won over the whole morning. The winning classes, NB3 (junior) and 6.5 (senior), go to Kinsale Outdoor Education Centre for the day on Friday.

The afternoon saw us return to Turner's Cross for another victory in soccer competitions, this time in the Cork County U-16 Cup. We had a 2-0 win over Deerpark in an exciting match, both goals coming in the second half. The first was a stunning drive by Derick Bowen, following a beautiful passing movement from our own half and the second was a volley from a corner, by Shane O'Shea. The man of the match award was shared by Aidan O'Mahony (central defender) and Brian Boyle (goalkeeper).

18 May 1999
As part of a promotional campaign by the Bic Pen company, we had a visit today by a hot-air ballon crew. The junior classes were given an illustrated talk on the science of ballooning, including meteorology, geography and physics and the ballon was then inflated in the grounds of the school.

17 May 1999
The school tennis team won the U-16 Munster Championship by beating Presentation Brothers College in the final. The team is Paul Brickley, Martin Black, Michael Hurley and Adrian Manning. There is a photo here.

In the evening we had Gradam na Scoile and annual prizegiving in the school hall. The guest speaker was Dr John O'Halloran, Zoology Department, UCC, a past student of the school.

Sports Awards

Athletics: Conor Newman, Eamonn Joyce
Basketball: Colin Doyle
Hurling: James Moylan
Gaelic Football: James Barry
Soccer: David Moore, Eoin Brickley
Tennis: Paul Brickley
Swimming: Chris Kelleher
Pitch & Putt: Cathal Foley
Table Tennis: Russell Dunne
Cross-Country: Niall Duncan
Cork County Cup Under 18 Soccer Team

Achievement Awards

Outstanding Contribution to School Play: Eoin White, Stephen O'Brien, Jason Den Bakker
Community Service: Aidan O'Mahony, Brian Brady
First Year Euro Project: Darragh Gosnell, Colin Irwin, Darren Donovan, David O'Connell, D. Murphy, Andrew Cronin, James Lyons
Quiz: Shane Garrett
Biology: Kyle Meuse
Creative Writing: Eoin Carroll, Ronan Clayton
Fourth Year Internet Project: S. McSweeney, P. Tierney, B. Brady, C. Hogan, R. Kearney, D. Ahern, U. Coyle
Public Speaking: John Harney
Mental Health Association, Ireland All-Ireland Public Speaking Competition Winners: Alan Sheehan, Paul Sheehan, Eamonn Joyce, Edmond Kelleher
Art: Rick McGroarty
Rotary Youth Leadership: John Healy
Meitheal Team: Brian Kelleher, Paul Barry, Eamonn Joyce, Vincent Sweetnam, Robert Murphy, Paul Sheehan, Mark Hodgins
President's Gaisce Awards: Niall Lagrue, Alan Buckley, Brian Kelleher, Eoin Dwyer

First Year Endeavour Awards

Barry O'Connor, Senan Andrews, Colin Irwin, Darragh Gosnell, Aaron O'Callaghan, David O'Connell, Patrick White,

Junior Gradam Awards

Nominations: Eoin Brickley, Liam Strahan, Paul Kelly
Gradam: Conor Foley, Peter MacDonald

Student of the Year - Junior Certificate 1998

Stephen O'Brien

Senior Gradam Awards

Nominations: John Healy, John Kenny, Pat Nyhan, Paul Sheehan, Eamonn Joyce, Ian McKenna, Rory Coakley, William Coveney, John O'Donoghue
Gradam: David Cahill, David Curran

Student's Student of the Year 1999

Edward Malone