Senior Rugby
Congratulations to our Senior Rugby team who have reached the semi final of the Leinster Senior League. The defeated St Gerard's, Roscrea, Gonzaga, De La Salle Churchtown over the past six weeks before a fine 9-6 victory over High School secured qualification. The game was played in awful conditions last Wenesday. At half time it was 3-3 thanks to a Gigo Haughton penalty. We would have been ahead at this stage but for some poor handling near the High School line. Gigo Haughton knocked over two penalties in the 2nd half but they replied with one of their own to set up a tight finish. In the end we ran out deserved winners.
Junior Rugby
The JCT were unfortunate to lose a friendly to 2005 Junior Cup winners Belvedere College last Wednesday. Two first half Davey Downey penalties meant that we led 6-0 at half time. After the break Belvedere had the advantage of the strong breeze and immediately put us under pressure. We defended our try line brilliantly for ten minutes before they scored a well worked try in the corner. A fantastic conversion had Belvo 7-6 up. They had plenty of the ball for the next 10 minutes but the Pres defence stayed strong. We finished the stronger of the two teams and had a chances to win it in the final ten. The outstanding Davey Downey kicked a penalty in the final minute from half way and only for a strong gust of wind, we would of secured victory. As it was the ball struck the crossbar and bounced safe to give Belvedere a 7-6 win. There were great performances from full back John Henderson, Number 8 Lorcan Maguire, Sean Brooks and man of the match Karl Corr.
Under 13 Rugby
The under 13s continues their fine start to the season on Wednesday when all three Pres teams were in action against High School Rathgar. The A team showed excellent skills and team spirit to overcome their opposition on a 46-5 score line . Wing Lorcan Murphy scored a hat trick of tries. The B team were equally as impressive in a 36-5 victory. The forwards set the tone of the game with some great rucking and lineout work and our defence was outstanding. Both A and B teams remain unbeaten so far this year. The C team were unlucky to lose by 31-20 in a thriller of a game. Both sides attacked the open spaces on the Junior pitch with speed and agility which led to some fantastic tries.
Basketball.
Pres U-16s and U-19 basketball teams both finished top of their respective leagues in the East Region (Leinster) section of the All-Ireland league. Victories over St.Conlaths College by both the under 16s and under 19s left Pres top of the table.
The under 16 game was Pres'toughest game of the year. After Pres went 11-2 down in the first quarter it looked like the game would go against them. but big performances from Emmet O'Toole and three 3 pointers from Captain Neil Randolph as well as an outstanding game from Sean Rooney, who eventually fouled out, saw Pres claw their way back to win by 10 points. Final score 65 - 57.
Pres u-19s also had a tough game but took an early lead and managed to hang on to it. Captain Peter Quinlan starred. Final score 57 - 43 to Pres.
Best of luck to Pres under 16s who head to Donegal this week to take on the Abbey College in the All- Ireland Cup quarter final.
Debating
Last Tuesday the 14th of November, the Presentation College Bray senior debating team travelled to Cabinteely Community College to oppose the motion that ''Celebrity led campaigns do more harm then good to the developing world''. After a strong opening speech from team captain Fiachra Fallon-Verbruggen the points of the Pres team were outlined by his team mates Ricky McCormack, Kelvin Doyle and Andrej Kapor. They made good use of humour and despite a valiant defence from Cabinteely it took only a final powerful speech from captain Fiachra to ensure a unaminous victory. This win means that the Pres seniot debating team qualify for the knockout rounds for the Concern debates. The team would like to thank Mr.Gorman, Ms.Gallagher, Mr.Conway, Ms.Kavanagh and Ms.Moran for their help and issue their congratulations to Kelvin for giving his first speech for the team. The team are back in action next week against Loreto Bray in the county council debates defending nuclear power over renewable energy.
TY Musical
Tickets are still available for the TY Pres/Loreto musical ''Crazy for You''. Priced at €17 they are available from the Mermaid Box Office. It runs from the 20th-24th November. Come along for a exciting mix of song, dance and comedy!
Congratulations to all the 4th year students who participated in the joint production of ''Crazy for You'' with Loreto. The show was a huge sucess and great fun was had by all.
Well done to the Transition year students who participated in raising awareness and creating a mural for world aids day. The mural was launched on Friday 30th by the students to the rest of the school and minister Dick Roche and Cllr. David Grant. It was a very worthwhile educational experience for all.
Senior Basketball
Congratulations to Robin O Sullivan on his selection for the Irish Schools squad to play France on December 20th in Cork. Robin played a starring role at hooker in the Leinster under 18 side that were victorious in the inter provincial championship. He is one of only 5 Leinster players selected for the squad. He is following in the footsteps of his older brother Alex who was also capped for Ireland at Schools level.
Junior Rugby
The Juniors have been training hard over the past fortnight and have had some very encouraging performances in the past month. This week our B team played St Brendan's and our A team face Greystones Under 16 as a curtain raiser for their AIL game against Ballymena. This game is a show case for the strong link between Pres and Greystones. More of these games will be played over the course of the season. Results to follow next week.
Under 14 Rugby
Our under 14s gave a fantastic performance against a physically strong Castleknock team last Wednesday. We looked to be in trouble early on when we conceded a soft try in the opening minutes to leave the score 5-0. However a try from prop Kenneth Murphy left the score level at half time. Garry White put us into the lead with a superbly taken try early in the 2 nd half only for the visitors to reply with a penalty two minutes later. Castleknock looked to be getting on top at this stage but some brilliant defence from Mark Molloy turned the ball over on our line and a massive clearance kick from Lee Brandon put us into their 22. From the lineout Kenneth Murphy stole the ball and rumbled over to put 7 between the teams. Lee Brandon kicked a brilliant conversion from the left touchline to put the game out of reach at 17-8. The final whistle blew soon after giving us a well deserved win. Best for Pres were Robbie Brennan, Kenneth Murphy and Mark Molloy.
17-8, Garry White Kenneth Murphy, Lee Brandon
Under 13 Rugby
The under 13s travelled to Castleknock to play what is traditionally one of the hardest fixtures of the year. Castleknock have knocked the under 13s out of the league at the semi-final stage in the last 2 years so we knew that a big performance was needed. The A team really stepped up to the challenge. A fine forwards performance set the tone for a 45-0 victory. This came a week after their brilliant 7-5 win over St Michaels. The A team remain unbeaten.
The B team were very unlucky to lose 12-0 and our C team performed admirably in a 32-15 defeat. Mr O Brien commented that all 26 of the c squad played their hearts out.