No stranger to success on or off the field, Kerry goalkeeper Shane Ryan was the VIP guest at this year’s presentation of achievement awards at his alma mater, Scoil Phobail Sliabh Luachra in Rathmore.
The All-Ireland winner and All-Star has certainly grabbed the opportunities as they came his way and he encouraged the class of 2022 to do likewise as they progress through life.
He reminded the students about the importance of having a passion in life, to set goals for what they really want and then to put in the hard work that is needed to achieve success.
“Nothing in life worth having comes easily so go out and earn what is yours,” he said.
He also had an important message about the importance of building relationships: “From first to sixth year in school you are sharing an important journey with great people and the people around you in school contribute hugely to who you become,” he said.
Shane, who sat his Leaving Cert in 2013, reminded the students about the range of skills and competencies that can be gained from getting involved in non-academic activities including resilience, teamwork, commitment, leadership and the appetite to succeed in the areas and interests which energise them.
He also emphasised the importance of enjoying the journey rather than being totally focused on the destination as well the significance of treating people well.
“People will remember you, not always for what you have achieved but for how you made them feel,” he said.
Shane presented several awards on the day including honours for academic and sporting excellence, contribution to school life and special endeavour awards.
Missing from the photo are Michael McSweeney, Alice O’Leary and Mairead O’Mahony
The recipients were:
Transition Year Student of the Year: Tara Buckley
Endeavour Award: Keri Ann Hanrahan
Principal’s Award: Joshua O’Sullivan
Leaving Certificate Applied Student of the Year: Susan Collins
Active Citizenship Award: John Hughes
Anne Casey Joy Memorial Shield: Katie Rea
Senior Sliabh Luachra Arts and Cultural Award: Grace Angland
Junior Sliabh Luachra Arts and Cultural Award: Colleen Angland and Nóirín Healy
Environmental Award: Andee Lenihan and Amy Donnelly
Exceptional contribution to team activities outside of school: Orla Cronin and Tiarna Dineen (camogie) Ella Guerin-Crowley and Joanne O’Keeffe (rugby) and Jamie Daly (rowing)
Leaving Cert Student of the Year: Megan Kiely
Academic Excellence in Leaving Cert Applied: Kacper Mocarski, Tara McLarnon, Niamh Collins, Shauna Heapes, Danny Hickey
Academic Excellence in Leaving Certificate: Miriam Dineen, Maura O’Keeffe, Siobhán Twomey, Megan O’Donoghue, Ellen O’Connor, Keri Ann Hanrahan, Megan Kiely, Michelle Cronin, Neil O’Connor, Katelyn O’Leary, Tara O’Leary, Joshua O’Sullivan, Cathy Kiely, Michael McSweeney, Alice O’Leary and Mairead O’Mahony
Paud O’Leary Memorial Shield: Under 14 boys’ basketball team
Outstanding Sporting Excellence: Under 15 boys’ basketball team
Boost business: Book your Christmas advertising now: 087-2229761 or news@killarneytoday.com
