Plans for the annual Dublin Boat Rally and associated waterborne parades are in jeopardy after Irish Rail said it is currently unable to lift the Newcomen Bridge in Dublin’s Docklands
The bridge is essential for boat access from the Royal Canal into the city
The Inland Waterways Association of Ireland (IWAI) had organised a major cruise involving events on the Grand and Royal canals
with participants spending over a year preparing
which now set off from the Shannon earlier this month
said the situation is a major disappointment for boaters
some of whom purchased boats specifically for the rally
"Despite the itinerary being published months ago and the planned date for traversing beneath the bridge being known for months
Iarnrod Eireann have failed to repair the bridge in time
have worked tirelessly with IWAI to ensure this trip runs seamlessly but despite their efforts the fleet will have no option but to turn in Confey
or Castleknock and return to the Shannon the way they came," a spokesperson for the group said
has acknowledged the disruption but called IWAI’s description of the issue “inaccurate and unfair,” citing a motor fault that has kept the bridge from operating properly
The company says it hopes to resume bridge lifts later this season
“The final lift of the bridge last August was postponed due to what was understood to be an electrical fault with the bridge
Irish Rail undertook works to replace the key electrical components within the following week
in readiness for the 2025 programme," the spokesperson said
we undertook the first of the bridge lifts in 2025 for IWAI
during which the motor for the gear crank failed
resulting in the bridge being stuck in the upright position
It is our view now that this was the original fault
which it transpires was intermittent in nature
The fault two weeks ago did delay trains for a time until the bridge was lowered.”
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TeamVulcan from Confey Community College celebrating their victory (Front row L-R) Sahas Sawant
Following two intense days of competition in the CanSat Ireland National Finals, a team of students from Confey Community College, Kildare
has today clinched the coveted national title
The CanSat Ireland competition is an ESERO Ireland collaboration
co-funded by the European Space Agency and Research Ireland and coordinated by MTU Blackrock CastleObservatory
The victory marks the end of a campaign that began in September 2024
All participants in this year’s competition have displayed incredible technological prowess
with judges lauding the expansive expertise on display from the teams of young scientists
A CanSat is a simulation of a real satellite developed in the size and shape of a soda can
the competition fosters an interest in STEM (Science
and Maths) careers by offering students a hands-on experience of a space-themed project
The multidisciplinary nature of the project ensures students areexposed to industry standards in a broad array of potential career paths
regional competitions have taken place across Ireland
in partnership with the Technological Universities in Dublin
ALSO READ: You won't believe the transformation of this Kildare home.
and launched their mini-satellites in rockets to a height of over 350 metres
these national finalists presented their analysis
recordings and flight patterns to the judging panel consisting of experts from a range of STEM fields
project coordinator for CanSat Ireland said: “Confey College can’t be praised enough for this achievement
Winning the National Final of the CanSat competition is no small feat
the STEM literacy of the participating students seems to increase as rapidly as the technology they’re working with
The technical competency displayed by teams all over the country continues to surpass the expectations of the judges
"These students represent Ireland’s STEM future
and I think it’s safe to say we’re in very good hands
.”The students from Confey have been invited to attend the celebratory event
at the European Space Research and Technology Centre (ESTEC) in The Netherlands
The students will have the opportunity to explore ESTEC facilities and laboratories
and present their work to a panel of experts
The CanSat competition will re-open in September 2025
Students or teachers interested in competing in the next iteration of the project are encouraged to visit the CanSat project page at esero.ie
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ALERT: Irish homeowners warned renovation jobs could lead to €10,000 fine or jail
Outside Naas courthouse are: Susanna Cawley
House of Hearing's experienced audiologist Matt Allen
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Kildare Cllr: Confey Cemetery issue ‘could be one of the worst situations we've had in a long
The Cathaoirleach of the Celbridge-Leixlip Municipal District (MD) has said that the Confey Cemetery spaces issue "could be one of the worst situations we've had in a long
Fianna Fáil Cllr and Cathaoirleach Brendan Caldwell expressed his concern over the dwindling number of spaces available at the burial ground in Confey during the latest MD meeting
He specifically motioned for Kildare County Council (KCC) to "urgently" identify a site in Confey for a new burial ground
This motion was seconded by Fine Gael Cllr Lumi Panaite Fahey
and it's unfortunate that it's gotten to this stage."
He added: "[The cemetery is] going to be full in six months
Fianna Fáil Cllr and Cathaoirleach Brendan Caldwell
Cllr Caldwell's sentiments were echoed by Social Democrats Cllr Nuala Killeen
who appeared at the meeting by virtual means
and added that the amount of spaces being provided at the cemetery is not in proportion with the rising population of Confey
also announced his support for the motion (Cllr Brooks also appeared at the meeting by virtual means)
Cllr Caldwell warned: "This could be one of the worst situations we've had in a long
A representative for KCC who was present at the meeting told the members that addressing the issue is "a priority" for the council
"We [at KCC] are working on it," the representative asserted
It was agreed at the closing of the motion to leave the matter on KCC's progress report
Directly after Cllr Caldwell's motion was concluded
he put forward the following question to KCC
which also related to Confey Cemetery: "Can the council provide an update on the repair to the wall at Confey Cemetery?"
KCC said via a report presented to the attendees of the meeting: "The council has included works to the wall in its programme of works for this calendar year."
"The level of works will depend on the availability of funding," KCC added
Cllr Caldwell also told KCC: "It's not a big job
A representative of KCC replied: "It is in the works programme
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Outside Naas courthouse are: Susanna Cawley, James Morrin, Richard Wixted BL and Andrew Coonan
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Castledermot celebrate their win Photo: Sean Brilly
Castledermot held off a brave Confey challenge to claim the Manguard Plus Minor Football D Championship in Manguard Park on Saturday.
The South Kildare side’s greater efficiency in front of the posts proved decisive, but they had to withstand a ferocious last quarter effort from Confey which saw them reduce a six point gap to just one.
Confey looked the stronger outfit in the opening quarter, but they dropped three efforts short and shot a couple of wides and they only had two points from joint captain Philip Hallinan to show for their dominance.
When Castledermot’s first score came after fifteen minutes it was a major. Nicky Bowens long range free dropped short but wasn’t dealt with between goalkeeper Darragh Boland and his defenders and Cian Murphy was on hand to finish to the net.
Bowens quickly added a point from play but an opportunistic goal from Jack Rahilly put Confey back in the ascendancy. The full-forward seemed bottled up to the left of the goals but managed to hook the ball into the far corner over his shoulder to put Confey 1-2 to 1-1 ahead after 22 minutes.
Castledermot finished the half the stronger, though, with a classy point from Donnchadh Kinch and one each from Greg Kelly and the impressive Bowens. Gerard Hallinan responded for Confey, but they went in trailing by 1-4 to 1-3 at the interval.
The two full-forwards, Jack O’Gorman and Rahilly, exchanged points early in the second half before Castledermot went two clear with points from Seán Behan and Kinch.
Confey's Phillip Hallinan and Castledermot'w Donnchadh Kinch Photo: Sean BrillyThe game’s crucial score arrived on 45 minutes when corner forward Bowens slotted calmly to the net under goalkeeper Boland to make it 2-7 to 1-4.
To their great credit, Confey knuckled down from there to the end. Three minutes after the Castledermot goal, Gerard Hallinan set up Ben Corscadden for a palmed finish to the net and they added points from the excellent Philip Hallinan and Aodan Jordan on 53 and 58 minutes to make for a nervy finish for the eventual winners.
Unfortunately for the Leixlip men, late efforts from Corscadden and Philip Hallinan tailed wide and the Damien Hendy managed Castledermot outfit held on to claim the title.
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Carbury Alan Kearney avoids the challenge from Confey Conor Jennings
Match three of the four match programme at Manguard Park on Sunday afternoon saw two sides
Carbury and confey regarded as some as outsiders for the SFC and it was the boys from north of the county that prevailed and it has to be said prevailed impressively as Confey won with a bit in hand on a final score line of Confey 2-12 Carbury 0-10
Leading the Confey charge was James Gately
the experienced full forward hit a total of 1-5 in a very impressive display
It was the winner's who took the lead after two minutes
Jack Cully equalised two minutes later and it was Carbury who took the lead on 12 minutes
Jack Cully hit the second and added a third from a free and when brother Eoin raised a white flag Carbury now led 0-4 to 0-1 with just 13 minutes on the clock
Suddenly Confey took charge of affairs hitting no less than six points in an excellent ten minute spell with points from James Gately (2)
Cathal Jennings (2) and Brian Grimes to lead 0-7 to 0-4 with 24 minutes on the clock
Alan Kearney had a goal chance for Carbury but was denied by when Confey keeper
got his foot to stop the ball from crossing the white chalk
A few minutes later and a fine Confey move involving Niall Kearney
Cathal Jennings and James Gately saw the latter find the Carbury
the half-time whistle duly arrived with Confey leading 1-7 to 0-4
Carbury showed a little more intent on the resumption
Paul Fleming got a flick on the ball close to the Confey goal but Heeney knocked it out for a 45 which Declan Conroy duly popped over
James Gately knocked one over courtesy of the upright before Carbury came with a bit of a burst hitting three on the trot from Ciaran McKeown
Milmoe was somewhat unlucky as he was right in on goal but off balance his effort went high and over
Conor Jennings and Ciaran McKeon exchanged points before Brian Grimes was denied by a brilliant save from Declan Conroy.Conor Jennings (free) and a similar score from James Gately had Confey six ahead and while Jack Cully converted a free
it was not enough; Conor Jennings picked up the final whistle arrived
Confey winning handsomely on a final score line of Confey 1-12 Carbury 0-10
Subs: Oisin Lynch for Robin Breslin (48 minutes); Ian Devane for Niall Kearney (53 minutes); Neil Ryan for James Gately (60 minutes); Aidan Ryan for Ben Hourihane (64 minutes)
Subs: Ben Kearney for Oisin Milmoe (38 minutes); Stephen McKeon for Willie Groome (47 minutes); Justin Reilly for Brian O'Flaherty (58 minutes)
A planning application was submitted to Kildare County Council on January 27 2025 by Confey GAA Club
1,913 sqm enclosed astro turf playing pitch
Lighting is to be provided by four 15m high spotlights poles with up to seven clustered light fittings on each (one pole located at each corner of the playing pitch) along with two no ball stop nets erected on each end of the pitch
The pitch is to be enclosed with a 3m high mesh fence with ball stop netting over to 6m high
The architect for the proposed project is Kevin Roche
READ MORE: Kildare Co Council wants to demolish two cottages to build 30 new homes
Neil Ryan (Confey) gets his shot away despite the efforts of Ardclough's Tadhg McCarthy
Confey withstood a third quarter comeback from Ardclough in Celbridge on Sunday afternoon to secure their passage to the semi-finals of the UPMC Senior A Hurling Championship, where they have the dubious pleasure of tackling six-in-a-row chasing Naas.
Whatever happens in that one, and Confey shipped seven goals when they met a few weeks ago, it has been a productive championship for the men from Cope Bridge, who have lowered the colours of Leixlip, Celbridge and now Ardclough in local derbies to reach the last four for the first time since 2021.
The placing of Kevin Chan in the inside forward line was a master stroke, the veteran proving almost unmarkable and striking two goals in the opening eleven minutes to put Ardclough on the back foot.
They did respond to the first goal with one of their own through Tim Ryan but by half-time Confey had moved into a commanding ten point lead (2-12 to 1-5) with eight different players, including all six forwards on the scoresheet.
Ardclough came out with renewed vigour for the second half and had three points from freetaker Seán Whelan and another from Eoghan Walsh. Neil Ryan, the diminutive Confey wing-forward, produced their only reply in that period, his third point of the game.
And when the wily old campaigner Tony Spain shot to the net and Whelan and Sean Buggy added points shortly afterwards, Ardclough had narrowed the deficit to two points (2-13 to 2-11) with seventeen minutes still to play.
But Bass settled his side with a fine point under pressure from near the sideline and the game’s crucial score arrived midway through the half.
The livewire Ryan sent a ball in from the left wing which goalkeeper Martin Fitzgerald didn’t fully bring under his spell and Chan snapped up the loose ball to set-up substitute Eoin Lynch, only on the field three minutes, for a finish to the net.
That made it a six-point game and although Whelan’s first point from play, his ninth in all, narrowed the gap a little, Bass hit back with two frees to bring his own tally to seven.
There was still one sting in the tail a minute from the end when Whelan drove a close-range free low. It was deflected into the air and the dangerous Ryan was on hand to strike the ball first time to the net for his second goal.
That left four between them and it stayed that way through injury time as Ardclough’s season came to an end.
Naas' Cian Boran and Confey Enda Bannon in a battle during their senior hurling championship semi-final. Photo: Sean Brilly.
Six-in-a-row chasing Naas cruised to a predictable thirty-point win over Confey at Manguard Park on Saturday afternoon to qualify for next month’s UPMC Senior A Hurling Championship final.
It was a game that kept journalists and referee Fergus Devereux busy. Apart from the 38 scores there were 33 wides, 25 of those from the winners, six yellow cards and four reds including one to Confey manager Kieran Divilly and unused substitute Conor Murphy.
The outcome was never in doubt from the moment Rian Boran swept over the first point ten seconds into the game, and only their own profligacy prevented Naas from completely swamping Confey in the opening half.
They shot thirteen wides while also registering thirteen scores as they ended the half ahead by 1-12 to 0-4, all of Confey’s scores coming from Frank Bass frees.
The goal came after 25 minutes, Cian Boran pulling first time on a Cormac Gallagher puckout to beat Ian Baker from a narrow angle and that triggered a tetchy period in the run-up to half-time which saw three yellow cards dished out before referee Fergus Devereux saw fit to issue red cards to substitute Murphy and manager Divilly for their unwanted input from the sideline.
Half-Time: Naas 1-12 Confey 0-4 The procession continued in the second half and while manager Tom Mullally will be concerned at the wide count the blustery wind was a factor in that.
Naas embellished their tally with well-taken goals from top scorer Jack Sheridan, who finished with 1-8, and Simon Leacy while both teams were reduced to fourteen men when Conan Boran was dismissed on a second yellow card and Confey’s Oisín Lynch went on a straight red after a mellee erupted midway through the second half.
Naas meet the winners of tomorrow’s clash between Éire Óg Corra Choil and Maynooth in the final in St Conleth’s Park on the first Sunday in November.
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Eoin Conneff in action for Eadestown Photo by Martin Rowe
After some frantic scrolling on social media for score updates from elsewhere at full time, Eadestown set themselves up for another clash with Clane (pre-quarter final) after defeating Confey in Rathcoffey.
Eadestown got the opening score of the game courtesy of a free from Niall Cummins. Confey were off the mark after five minutes when Imad Mirza got on the end of a pass from Brian Grimes to palm the ball into the net. Grimes was in on goal moments later, but he drew a save from Shane Sargent in the Eadestown net.
Eadestown were back in front after 10 minute when Cian Bolton picked up the rebound, after Eoin Conneff’s effort came off the post, and slotted the ball into the Confey net.
Ciaran Lyons responded with a point from play for Confey before points from play from Eoin Coneff and Cian Bolton nudged Eadestown in front.
On 22 minutes Eoin Conneff was in for Eadestown’s second goal of the game, which was followed up with another well taken score from Cian Bolton.
A free from James Gately for Confey in first half injury time for Confey left five between the sides at the break. Eadestown ahead on a score-line of 2-4 to 1-2.
Eadestown picked up where they left off in the first half and got the first three scores of the second. Cian Bolton added to his tally when his effort from a free hit the post and he collected the rebound which was slotted over the bar. Conan Boran added another from play before Bolton got his fourth point of the game.
Confey were awarded a free on 44 minutes, but this time it was James Gately’s turn to hit the wood work. Ian Devane was quickest to react and get the ball over the bar for Confey.
Eadestown continued to press for goal, Colin Heeney used his feet to keep out Eoin Conneff’s goal bound shot. Niall Cummins’ effort with the 45 drifted right and wide.
Conneff looked to be in again on 50 minutes when he got on the end of Ben Hourihane’s pass, but was denied by Heeney at full stretch who put the ball behind for another 45. Eadestown goalkeeper Shane Sargent stepped up for the kick, but his effort fell short and eventually went wide. Confey did manage to create another goal opportunity, but Shane Sargent managed to keep out the shot from Conor Jennings.
As injury time approached the game became stop start and the referee was kept busy adding ticks and cards in his notebook.
On 60 minutes, Rian Boran was shown a second yellow and then a red for Eadestown. Two minutes later Ian Devane was given his marching orders for Confey.
In the third minute of injury time, Rian Monaghan pointed for Eadestown to put them seven points ahead.
A free from James Gately in the fifth minute of injury time saw the game finish with six points between the teams. Eadestown winning on a score-line of 2-8 to 1-5.
EADESTOWN: Shane Sargent; Rian Monaghan (0-1), John Lawlor, Sean Hynes; Conor McCarthy, Jack Sargent, Conan Boran (0-1); Rian Boran, Niall Cummins (0-1, free); Ben Fitzsimons, Eoin Conneff (1-1), Darragh Jameson; Cian Boran, Pauric Tuohy, Cian Bolton (1-4). Subs: Fiachra Bracken O’Brien for Conor McCarthy (11 minutes), Niall Grainger for Ben Fitzsimons (58 minutess).
CONFEY: Colin Heeney; Andrew Breslin, Colm Chan, Conor Dennehy; Brian Grimes, Imad Mirza (1-0), Aidan Crean; Paul Divilly, Ciaran Lyons (0-1); Ciaran Kilbane, James Gately (0-3, 2 frees), Conor Jennings; Ian Devane (0-1), Cathal Jennings, Ben Hourihane. Subs: Josh Collins for Ben Hourihane (33 mins), Colm Noctor for Conor Dennehy (51 minuteds).
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Sarsfields Ben Loakman is tackled by Confey Ben Hourihane during the 2024 Joe Mallon Motors SFC at Manguard Park. Photo: Sean Brilly
Sarsfields got their expected win in the second game at Hawkfield on Sunday but they were certainly made to work for it by a determined Confey side.
The final scoreline says seven points in it but while the winners were certainly worth their win the margin of the victory does not do justice to Confey.
The rank outsiders led at the break 1-5 to 0-7, went behind early in the second half only to hit three points in a row before Sarsfields stepped up their game hitting 1-6 between the 48 and 58 minutes.
Brian Grimes and Matty Byrne exchanged early points before the ever-green Oisin Lynch pointed for Confey. However The Sash hit back with point Calum Bolton point while a Shane Doyle goal effort was well saved by Colin Heeney.
James Gately and Shane Doyle exchanged points before Callum Bolton had the Newbridge boys back in front.
However that lead did not last long as a long ball in from Oisin Lynch saw James Gately and Shea Ryan contest with the Confey winning this battle gaining possession before finding the net — Confey 1-3 Sarsfields 0-4 on 16 minutes.
Shane Doyle converted a free; Niall Carney did likewise and Brian Grimes left three in it on 22 minutes.
Points from Ethan Mountaine and Shane Doyle (free) left Confey leading at the break 1-5 to 0-7.
Brian Grimes extended that lead on the resumption but Sarsfields hit four points on the trot from Ben McCormack, Karl Hartley, Shane Doyle (free) and Hartley again, to lead by one.
Confey, however, were not going away just yet, Niall Carney, Conor Dennehy and James Gately saw Confey back in the lead by one.
However that was as good as it got for the boys from North Kildare as Sarsfields stepped up the gears with points from Ben McCormack, Dane Doyle before a Ben McCormack goal attempt was saved by Colin Heeney only for Karl Hartley to be on hand to boot to the net, making it 1-13 to 1-9.
James Gately got a point back for Confey but Sarsfields added points from Jimmy O'Neill, Karl Hartley before Hartley got hi s second goal of the game and Shane Doyle added a point.
Confey did get a late consolation goal from Conor Jennings while Daragh Ryan got the last score of the game as Sarsfields came through on a final score line of Sarsfields 2-17 Confey 2-10.
Scorers: Sarsfields, Karl Hartley 2-3, Shane Doyle 0-6 (3 frees), Ben McCormack 0-2, Callum Bolton 0-2, Matty Byrne 0-1, Ethan Mountaine 0-1, Jimmy O'Neill 0-1, Daragh Ryan 0-1.
Confey, James Gately 1-3 (1 free), Brian Grimes 0-3, Conor Jennings 1-0, Niall Carney 0-2 (2 frees), Oisin Lynch 0-1, Conor Dennehy 0-1.
SARSFIELDS: Marc Courtney Byrne; Alan Scully, Shea Ryan, Daragh Conlon; David Shelvey, Con Kavanagh, Callum Bolton; Tadhg Hoey, Matty Byrne; Ethan Mountaine, Ben McCormack, Conor Hartley; Karl Hartley, Shane Doyle, Ben Loakman. Subs: Colm Harnett for Daragh Conlon (26 minutes); Daragh Ryan for Conor Hartley (26 minutes); Cian Byrne for Con Kavanagh (38 minutes); Jake Loakman for Tadhg Hoey (44 minutes); Jimmy O'Neill for Ben Loakman (54 minutes).
CONFEY: Colin Heeney; Andrew Breslin, Colm Chan, Oisin Lynch; Conor Jennings, Ciaran Kilbane, Aidan Crean; Brian Grimes, Paul Divilly; Ciaran Lyons, James Gately, Cathal Jennings; Imad Mirza, Niall Carney, Ben Hourihane. Subs: Conor Dennehy for Oisin Lynch (35 minutes): Ian Devane for Niall Carney (54 minutes); Thomas McCann for Ciaran Lyons (55 minutes).
Carbury' JP Gill and Confey's Andrew Breslin contest possesion Photo: Sean Brilly
CONFEY caused a mild surprise in the preliminary round of the Joe Mallon Motors Senior Football Championship as they ran out eight point winners over a rather lacklustre Carbury side. Carbury promised more after a bright opening quarter that had them in an early 0-4 to 0-1 lead.
Imrad Mirza opened the scoring for Confey inside two minutes but Carbury hit back with four in a row.Jack Cully hit three,two coming from frees and when Eoin Cully pointed on 13 minutes Carbury were full value for their early lead.Carbury would go the following 17 minutes without a score as Confey took over.
James Gately was to the fore in that Confey purple patch that yielded 1-6 without reply. Gately pointed on 14 and 22 before getting on the end of a loose ball just before half time shooting left footed past Declan Conroy.I n between Niall Kearney,Brian Grimes and two from Cathal Jennings left Confey 1-7 to 0-4 ahead as the sides went to the dressing rooms.
The second half started with Carbury on the front foot and when Paul Fleming fisted towards the Confey net Colin Heeney pushed it out for a 45.Carbury keeper Declan Conroy added the score.James Gately and Aidan Crean swapped points with Ciaran McKeon and Jp Gill and after Brian Milmoe added a fourth Carbury point of the half the gap was four with twenty to play.
Naas centre forward, Tom Browne, turns clear of the covering Imad Mirza Confey in the Joe Mallon Motors SFC Round 1, Group A game at Manguard Park. Photo: Sean Brilly
This Joe Mallon SFC, Round 1 Group A game got under way with referee Niall Colgan throwing-in, the ball gathered by dual-star James Burke. The big man took off straight through the middle, off-loading to Tom Browne who found the bottom hand corner of Colin Heeney left-hand post.
It was the ideal start for the county champions, chasing their fourth senior title in a row, alternatively not the start rank outsiders Confey needed.
Alex Beirne added a second point on five minutes as the boys in blue and white were in control all over the field.
Ciaran Lyons opened for Confey hitting an excellent long range point, straight and true.
Ryan Sinkey, with a lovely loopey run fired over before wing-back Eoghan Prizeman was on and when an Alex Beirne effort came off the upright after a fine save from Colin Heney, Prizeman collecting and fired over.
Playing with the aid of the strong breeze in the opening period, Conor Jennings got Confey's second of the afternoon but Naas continued to dominate with points from Alex Beirne and Tom Browne linking up impressively with Alex Beirne, the no. 11 firing over to make it 1-6 to 0-2 with 11 minutes on the clock.
Ian Devane went very low to make an excellent mark, the no. 28, in for the injured James Gately, fired over.
Naas were not finished just yet and before the break raised two more white flags from the boots of Paddy McDermott and an Alex Beirne free to leave the half-time score reading Naas 1-8 Confey 0-3.
A couple of early points from Alex Beirne maintained the Naas dominance and while Imad Mirza got one back for Confey there was just no stopping the champions.
James Burke, Alex Beirne (free) pointed before a brilliant ball over the top from substitute Darragh Kirwan into Alex Beirne, who unselfishly passed over to James Burke who palmed to the net to make it 2-12 to 0-4.
Luke Mullins converted a 45 before Naas created two more clear goal chances but Fintan Quinn hit over an empty goal and Alex Beirne saw his effort fly over.
However goal no. 3 arrived before the long whistle with James Burke fetching a high ball, turning and hitting low to the net and while Ciaran Lyons did get a late point for Confey it was Naas at their ease winning 3-16 to 0-5.
Scorers: Naas, James Burke 2-1, Tom Browne 1-2, Alex Beirne 0-7 (3 frees), Paddy McDermott 0-2, Ryan Sinkey 0-1, Eoghan Prizeman 0-1, Fintan Quinn 0-1, Luke Mullins 0-1 (45).
Confey, Ciaran Lyons 0-2, Ian Devane 0-1 (mark), Cathal Jennings 0-1, Imad Mirza 0-1.
Karl Hartley scored two goals in the last ten minutes as Sarsfields finished strongly against Confey Photo: Sean Brilly
Confey had the better of the opening half exchanges and were full value for their one point advantage at the break.
In a slow burner it took five minutes for Brian Grimes to ad the first score of the game before Sarsfields levelled through Matty Byrne.The sides were level on two further occasions before James Gately goaled on 17.Gately won a long Oisin Lynch ball behind Shea Ryan before firing home.The sides swapped four points before the break but Confey held the upper hand.1-5 to 0-7.
Sarsfields found themselves two behind within a minute of the restart but they quickly added four in a row to assume control.To Confey's credit they came right back and they added three of their own to again get their noses in front,Niall Carney, Conor Denehy and James Gately all on the scoreboard.
The Confey lead was shortlived as Sarsfields emptied the bench. Goals from Karl Hartley on 51 and 58 was the ignition that Sarsfields needed and despite a late Conor Jennings goal for Confey it was Sarsfields who won out on a 2-17 to 2-10 scoreline.
Confey Martin Devaney goes clear from Clane Ethan Smith, Photo by Sean Brilly
After the disappointment of last years defeat to Wolfe Tones, Confey were back to put matters right at the second time of asking.
They made no mistake this time as they enjoyed an eight point win over Clane to be crowned UPMC Kildare Junior Hurling Championship for 2024.
A Conor Murphy goal just before half-time was due reward for some constant Confey pressure and only for the performance of Clane keeper Lorcan Harney, who saved on at least three occasions, Confey could have been out of sight at the break.Confey had the experience of the likes of Michael and Kieran Divilly to help see them over the line as they made better use of their possession.
The opening exchanges were tight as the sides were level on no fewer than four occasions.
Clane who had the advantage of a stiff breeze in the opening half raced into an early two point lead courtesy of Ethan Smith and Shane Ryan.
Clane were going down the centre with their possession and Confey were comfortable in dealing with it.It laid the platform for some renewed pressure on the Clane goal.
Robin Breslin and Brian Keane levelled matters on eight.Confeys first goal chance arrived on 8 through Robin Breslin but it was a great save from Lorcan Harney to keep the sides on level terms.
Shane Ryan and a Mark Fennelly free ensured their was nothing between thebsides at the end of the opening quarter.Daire Doherty and another Fennelly free continued the routine of back to as back scores as the sides couldn't be separated.
When Shane Ryan and David Gibbons moved Clane two ahead for the first time you expected them to stretch the advantage before the break but despite playing against the elements it was Confey who finished the half in the ascendancy.Mark Fennelly and Paul Keegan added points before Conor Murphy got the opening goal.
A Robin Breslin shot was again saved by Harney but Murphy was on hand to fire home the rebound.Confey would go to the dressing rooms 1-8 to 0-7 ahead.
On the resumption two David Gibbons points from a free and a 65 helped reduce the gap to 2 but over the closing 27 minutes
Clane could only manage another David Gibbons free.It was the constant pressure from Confey that yielded seven closing points as the Clane effort petered out.
Mark Fennelly brought his personal tally to 0-7 as he converted two frees from distance and the loudest cheer was reserved for veteran Michael Divilly who fired over two late points to seal a 1-15 to 0-10 victory
In a game that started off so good and with the teams sharing point after point it turned out to be a disappointing end as Confey didn't get any major opposition over the closing 30 minutes.
Confey won't complain as they sealed their place in next year's Intermediate grade and after lat years loss to Wolfe Tones this was a sweet victory.
Clane will be disappointed but with a young and largely inexperienced outfit they will be back next year to try put the record straight. Confey have showed them the way.
MAIN MANLORCAN HARNEYLorcan Harney was outstanding between the posts for Clane while the Confey defence as a unit were excellent throughout.The man of the match award goes to Confey captain and chief score getter Mark Fennelly.He lead from the front chipped in with seven points and his workrate was exemplary throughout.
TURNING POINTAfter the sides were level on four seperate occasions during the opening twenty minutes the game needed a spark and It came in the shape of a Conor Murphy goal.He was on hand after Lorcan Harney made a great save from Robin Breslin to fire home. It pushed Confey 4 ahead and into a lead they never lost.
TALKING POINTThe first half saves from Lorcan Harney, the perfect free taking and leadership from Mark Fennelly coupled with the likes of Michael and Kieran Divilly turning back the clock with their experience and guidance that steered Confey to a county title were all highlights of an entertaining county final.
CONFEY: Robert Connolly; Conor O'Neill 0-1, Michael Mularkey, Michael Divilly 0-2; Robin Breslin 0-1 Ruairi Lynch 0-1, Eamon McQuillan; Brian Keane 0-1, Mark Fennelly 0-7 (6 frees); Kieran Divilly, Paul Keegan 0-1, Padraic Keegan; Martin Devaney, Fiachra Keegan, Conor Murphy 1-0. Subs: Ronan McNamara 0-1 for Paul Keegan 47; Adrian Kinsella for Mark Devaney 50; Liam Monks for Conor O Neill 54; Oisin Reade for Robin Breslin 63; Aaron Challoner for Michael Divilly 63.
CLANE: Lorcan Harney; Culann Healy, Declan Kavanagh, Finn Moore; Eamon Little, Sean O'Rourke, Ben O'Dea; Neil Mooney, Daire Doherty 0-1; David Gibbons 0-4 (3 frees, 65), Shane Ryan 0-3, David O Neill; Ethan Smith 0-1, Conor Ward, Patrick Jordan 0-1. Subs: TJ Dillon for David O Neill H/T; Aaron Connolly for Finn Moore 41; Robert Hyland for Ethan Smith 46; Conor Martin for Neil Mooney 52; Ciaran Kavanagh for David Gibbons 59.
Celbridge's Ciaran Kirwan is tackled by Confey's Niall Glennon Photo: Sean Brilly
WE should be used to the men from Cope Bridge defying expectations at this stage.
Confey seem to be perennial favourites for relegation but not only are they safe once more this year, but they sit proudly alongside Naas at the top of “Winners” Group A of the UPMC Senior A Hurling Championship after the opening round robin fixtures.
In drizzly, miserable conditions at Manguard Park on Saturday, Confey were full value for their surprise two point win over neighbours Celbridge.
While a Celbridge team going through something of a rebuilding phase were wasteful in front of the posts, their spirited opponents were considerably more clinical with their shooting.
That, combined with a voracious appetite for the physical battle, saw Confey to a win that sets them up nicely in a group from which three of the four teams will progress to the knock-out stages.
There was little sign of the danger to come for Celbridge as they moved into a 0-3 to 0-1 lead in the opening eleven minutes. Gerry Keegan opened their account and after Eoin Lynch equalised, Conor Treacy and Pat Leahy added further points.
But five points without reply over the next nine minutes saw Confey take command and grow in confidence. Frank Bass, one of their outstanding performers, landed a ’65 and then Lynch, who fired five superb points over the hour, registered his second to level matters.
A Bass free from inside his own half gave Confey the lead and they went three clear with Brian Grimes and Paul Divilly finding the range.
Goalkeeper Ian Baker kept their three-point advantage intact, pushing James Dolan’s goal attempt out for an unconverted ’65 before Jamie Connolly and Bass, from another free, swapped points.
A magnificent diving block from Aidan Ryan denied Dolan once more, but Andrew McNiff followed up with a point for Celbridge to leave them within two points at the interval. Half-Time: Confey 0-7 Celbridge 0-5.
Pre-match favourites Celbridge seemed set to justify that tag early in the second half as they moved into the lead within twelve minutes. Keegan, who had missed a few chances in the opening period, when his side shot ten wides, found the range from the left-wing and after Dolan was denied another goal chance, Finniun Ó Dullaigh converted the resultant ’65 to level matters.
Lynch hit back with his third point but minors from Keegan and defender Tadhg Halpin gave Celbridge the lead. Neil Ryan equalised for Confey to make it 0-9 apiece before Keegan and Lynch exchanged points.
The veteran Divilly scored an inspirational free from 65 metres out to edge Confey back in front after 48 minutes and Lynch once more found the range with a magnificent point to put them two clear a minute later.
Back came Celbridge, levelling matters at 0-12 apiece through Ciarán Kirwan and Niall Ó Muineacháin.
Divilly was fouled after a huge catch five minutes from time, Oisín Lynch converting the free from close range, and Ryan and substitute Aiden Crean followed up with further points to put Confey three points clear.
Try as they might, all Celbridge could manage in return was an injury time free from Keegan as they succumbed by a two-point margin.
CONFEY: Ian Baker; Enda Bannon, Seán Leamy, Anto Hoare; Aidan Ryan, Kevin Chan, Colm Chan; Kieran Kilbane, Paul Divilly 0-2 (1f); Eoin Lynch 0-5, Frank Bass 0-3 (2fs,1’65), Oisín Lynch 0-1 (f); Neil Ryan 0-2, Niall Glennon, Brian Grimes 0-1. SUBS: Philip Quigley for K Chan 37, Ben O’Boyle for Glennon 47, Aiden Crean 0-1 for Bass 53, Paul Feerick for O Lynch 62.
CELBRIDGE: Fiachra Ó Muineacháin; Paul Hogan, Ciaran Kirwan 0-1, Tom Finnerty; Tadhg Halpin 0-1, Niall Ó Muineacháin 0-1, Kieran Robotham; Colman O’Donovan, Gerry Keegan 0-5 (1f); Andrew McNiff 0-1, Jamie Connolly 0-1, Finniun Ó Dullaigh 0-1 (’65); Conor Treacy 0-1, Pat Leahy 0-1, James Dolan. SUBS: Billy White for McNiff 49, Seán Holmes for Ó Dullaigh 61.
The Heritage and History of Confey GAA Club (1989-2024)
The book is available for pre-sale at special price of €30 from THIS LINK.
The almost 300-page book is a must read for anyone with even a passing interest in Confey GAA Club
It outlines the club’s humble beginnings in 1989 when training was done under car lights at the Bowl in Riverforest and on the green at Glendale and highlights the huge community support offered by the people of Confey to the fledging club.
Confey GAA chairman Mick Crean said the book is something our members will be very proud of and outlines not only the unbelievable success the club has enjoyed in its brief history but also the spirit which makes the club unique and special.
The full-colour book is packed with photographs and memorabilia from the early days of the club, right up to the teams of today. It includes interviews with the numerous club players who have been called upon to pull on the white jersey and represent Kildare at a senior level, and it also shines a spotlight on the club’s youngest members. The social side of the club is also explored and readers will be left in no doubt about the key role Confey GAA plays in the lives of the community it serves.
The book launch will take place on February 19 at Confey GAA Club at 8pm. The Heritage and History of Confey GAA Club (1989-2024) will be on sale on the night and will also be available to purchase from SuperValu in Riverforest, the club’s valued partner and sponsor. All are welcome to come along and be part of this historic occasion for the club.
(For more information, contact Mick Crean 086-8258346 or Chairperson.confey.kildare@gaa.ie)
Colm Chan (Confey) tries to dispossess Tom Browne (Naas) Photo: Sean Brilly
Naas picked up win number two of the Joe Mallon Motors Senior Football Championships and the first in this Group A encounter when they had 20 points to spare over Confey in a blustery Manguard Park earlier this afternoon. Goals either side of half time from Tom Browne and James Burke with two laid the foundation for the comfortable win.
Naas played against a stiff breeze in the opening half but they set out their stall from the throw in. James Burke won possession, soled right through the Confey defence before offloading to Tom Browne and with 17 seconds on the clock he put Naas three up.
Alex Beirne added the first of his three first half scores before centre back Ciaran Lyons got Confey up and running. Despite the strong wind advantage tgey could only ad two further points before the break.Conor Jennings from play and an Ian Devane mark.
All to easy for Naas in a 3-16 to 0-5 win.
A new cemetery is being planned for north Kildare
The issue of providing a new burial ground in Confey was raised by local councillor Bernard Caldwell
Kildare County Council says it is currently investigating the suitability of a potential site near Confey
KCC is in the process of providing a columbarium wall in the cemetery
the council will look at other works in the cemetery including repairs to the boundary wall
Read more Kildare news
Éire Óg Corra Choill's Liam Dempsey is tackled by behind by Confey's Anto Hoare Photo: Sean Brilly
Three goals inside the first twenty minutes helped Éire Óg Corra Choill to a vital ten-point win over Confey in the UPMC Senior A Hurling Championship on Saturday afternoon in Manguard Park.
It was a result which drew the Donore men level with their opponents on two points after two round robin games in Group A with both sides still in the running to qualify for the knock-out stages.
Oisín Lynch opened the scoring for Confey in the opening minute, but Cian O’Reilly hit back with a scrambled finish to the net for Éire Óg Corra Choill from a Cormac Byrne cross.
Frank Bass (’65) and Jack Higgins swapped points before Confey edged a point ahead (0-5 to 1-1) through points from Kieran Kilbane, Bass and Eoin Lynch from play.
Éire Óg levelled through a Scott Cramer point before they netted their second goal on fourteen minutes after Cramer and O’Reilly exchanged crisp stick passes with the latter finishing for his second major.
After a Bass free, the Éire Óg men were back for a third goal and it was O’Reilly and Cramer who combined again, with Cramer doing well to catch a difficult pass before blasting to the roof of Ian Baker’s net.
That made it 3-2 to 0-6 but Confey finished the half strong and points from Oisín Lynch, Bass and Paul Divilly, with one in reply from Higgins, left them only three points behind at the interval despite the concession of those three goals.
With Éire Óg starting the second half with points from Liam Dempsey (free) and Higgins, it always looked as if Confey would need at least one goal and it never looked likely, despite the best efforts of the likes of Neil Ryan and Oisín Lynch.
Still, they were only six points behind (3-10 to 0-13) with ten minutes remaining but when Paul Divilly mishit a goal attempt from a 20-metre free that gave Éire Óg the impetus to register the last four points of the game with Higgins in particular very impressive in moving onto the five points mark, all from play.
Naas Rian Boran sprints clear from the chasing Oisin Lynch Confey during the UPMC Senior Hurling Championship semi-final
Naas remained firmly on course for their sixth Kildare Senior Hurling Championship in a row with a 30-point win over Confey in their semi-final clash
The early exchanges were all about intensity and Naas’ superior pressing of their opposition was an immediate problem
While Naas men picked up their heads to place a pass to another man in blue
Confey’s players pulling the strings had barely gathered possession before they were hunted in packs
The best demonstration of Naas’ defensive diligence was that their opponents did not score from play at any point in this game
Rian Boran got the game’s opening score after 10 seconds of play
The almost comically early point is not Boran’s first around this time this year
indicating that Naas have a set routine right from throw-in
The eventual winners sometimes ease their way into game’s
but they were on it from the jump in this one
Daire Guerin and Brian Byrne knocked over two superb before Ferran O’Sullivan got his first of the afternoon
Confey got their first point in the ninth minute and it arrived in the same fashion as all of their others
Naas surged again from here and it was clear that the county champions were going to take a victory home
The next thing for them became about performance and there was one glaring weakness in their altogether dominant showing
Ferran O’Sullivan’s second point and Simon Leacy’s first put Naas 0-6 to 0-1 ahead after 12 minutes
Jack Sheridan added points from set-pieces with Cian Boran and Brian Byrne adding brilliantly from play
The game sat at 0-11 to 0-3 when Naas grabbed their first goal
The leading side capitalised on a quick puck-out gone wrong and the ball was played into Cian Boran
The Naas centre-forward was helped to his knees by a Confey defender but
still managed to get a shot and a brilliant one at that just inside the far post
The remainder of the half was largely about fisticuffs with Conan Boran booked along with two Confey players on the field
one off of it and a Confey selector red carded
The leading side’s intensity had waned slightly
but they were still taking shots at a rapid rate
Naas added seven points in 10 minutes with all of them coming from play
There was a slight dampener put on the Naas mood after 44 minutes when Conan Boran was sent off with a second yellow card for his role in some light wrestling with Paul Divilly
It was the kind of exchange that would look like male friendship at an Irish wedding
but it is seen as a less jovial encounter on the hurling field
Naas got their second goal 10 minutes from the end and it was another Confey mistake at the back
Jack Sheridan latched onto the loose ball and very casually nailed it into the top corner
Simon Leacy grabbed Naas’ third goal to cap off a performance that reminded everyone why is considered one of Kildare’s best hurlers
ever so casual from the midfielder as the ball was sent into his path
Leacy steadied himself briefly and launched the ball into the top corner
I think we put in a really good performance
we played Confey in the group game and it went our way so we kind of expected a bit of change to the way the set-up
So that was an extra challenge for us to get over
“I think everyone that came on today equipped themselves very well and we finished with 3-28 so overall
very happy and we are through to another final.”
The man who played intercounty football with Kildare last year was quick to give his thoughts on Naas' tally of 23 wides in this game
“The frustrating thing is that we said it in the warm-up
we were aware of it and when we came in at half-time we were very disappointed with our efficiency
but there were still some simple wides that one of these is gonna cost us
We’ll have to get that right for the next day.”
Subs: Kevin Kelleher for Peter O'Donoghue (9 minutes)
Kevin Whelan for Richard Hogan (9 minutes)
Fionn Maher for Ferran O'Sullivan (48 minutes)
Richard Hogan for Cathal Dowling (53 minutes)
Subs: Eoin Lynch for Kevin Chan (Half-time)
Fiachra Lynch for Paul Ferrick (52 minutes)
Michael Mullarky for Brian Grimes (59 minutes)
Right: Éire Óg Corra Choill Paul Dolan races forward to take a point from play during the UPMC SHC at Maynooth
This weekend sees the UPMC Senior Hurling Championship reach the semi-final stages with hot favourites Naas
attempting to make it six senior titles in a row
And what an achievement that would be if they were to succeed as they attempt to make it twelve titles in total.Their opponents
The second semi-final sees the clash of Éire Óg Corra Choill and Maynooth
The former have ten title to their credid but that was under the banner of Éire Óg
the last way back in 1935 and they were last in the decider in 2020
Two years on from getting promoted back to the Senior Hurling Championship
Éire Óg Corra Choill have earned themselves a semi-final showdown with Maynooth
Éire Óg were the outstanding performers in the UPMC Senior Hurling Championship Group A
After a heavy opening round defeat to Naas
Éire Óg impressed against Confey with a 3-14 to 0-13 win
Two first-half goals from Cian O’Reilly were crucial in stopping Confey from making it two wins from two after they toppled Celbridge
The Caragh/ Prosperous side booked their place in the last four with a thrilling win over Celbridge in their final round clash
leaving their typically strong opponents winless in the group
Éire Óg finished as 5-12 to 1-20 winners in a score-laden affair
A noticeable pattern in the Éire Óg scoring charts is their spread of scorers and further standout contributions from the likes of Jack Higgins and Paul Dolan will be crucial to their success
Higgins has notched 2-5 in his side’s last two group games
They face a Maynooth side who emerged from Group B with three wins from three and will be full of confidence
Maynooth topped their group following wins over Coill Dubh
In contrast to what could be said about Éire Óg’s scoring
Maynooth have a clear and present danger man in the form of Cathal McCabe who has registered 3-28 across his side’s three league games and his scoring represents just under half (49.3%) of Maynooth’s total scores
McCabe is not on his own in terms of high output with Cormac Nolan also impressing in this year’s Championship
After 1-4 in his side’s opening day win against Leixlip
Nolan added a further 2-1 to his Championship tally in the next two group games
His eye for goal could be crucial for Maynooth’s success in this semi-final and even more so for a potential final should they reach it
While Éire Óg and their spread of scoring have been impressive
at the sharp end of the season in semi-finals and finals
games can often come down to moments and individuals
That factor gives Maynooth the edge in this one
The scoring of McCabe and Nolan should be enough to carry them over the line and earn them another crack at the Senior Hurling Championship
Naas v ConfeyCounty Champions Naas are searching for a sixth title in a row in 2024
They have shown no signs of letting up either with huge wins in each of their group games
Naas conceded just 34 points across their three games
a tally they almost reached in each one of their games as they hit 4-18
The last score put up in that sequence came against their semi-final opponents Confey
who reached this stage with an excellent quarter-final win over Ardclough
After group stages losses to Naas and Éire Óg
Confey produced a mammoth display to come out on top 3-16 to 3-12
Outstanding contributions from the likes of Frank Bass
The lead they accumulated in that game and catching Naas cold will be their only route to victory here
Confey have an enormous amount to be proud of after reaching this year’s semi-final
a smaller club in North Kildare that undeniably punches above its weight in both codes
Despite their slim to non-existent hopes in this fixture
Leixlip and Ardclough in this year’s Senior Hurling Championship
a fact which further demonstrates what has been built in their area of the county
it would take a feat just shy of a miracle to win this game
The team going for six-in-a-row likely won’t be stopped on their quest to do so
but it is how they navigate the coming weeks that could prove crucial
Naas have undeniably been the outstanding hurling team in Kildare in recent years and next on their list is to become one of the outstanding teams in the province
Kildare and An Taoiseach Simon Harris TD at the Naughton Foundation Scholarship awards
2024, County Kildare Students Vishal Tutte and Sofia Babic were awarded a Naughton Foundation Scholarship worth €24,000 at a ceremony in the Trinity Business School in Dublin
The award was presented by founding patrons of the Naughton Foundation
who were joined by An Taoiseach Mr Simon Harris to present winning students with their awards and cheques.
Supporting academic and innovative excellence in Irish students
the Naughton Foundation Scholarship Awards are an investment in the future of Ireland's reputation as a country with outstanding graduates promoting the study of engineering
The county Kildare winners, Vishal Tutte (above)
a former student of Maynooth Post Primary School
Kildare has accepted a place studying Computer Science at University College Dublin
Kildare has accepted a place studying Computer Science & Economics
Naughton Scholarships worth over €6 million have been awarded to more than 450 outstanding students. The scheme started in three counties and has continued to expand annually to become a nationwide scheme in 2016
There is one guaranteed scholarship (€24,000) for each participating county
with some counties awarded more than one scholarship and each scholarship is worth €6,000 for each year of a student’s three- or four-year undergraduate degree.
Vishal Tutte and Sofia Babic both join 37 exceptional Irish students who were awarded third level scholarships towards their studies in the areas of engineering
The prize winner’s former secondary schools, Maynooth Post Primary School
Kildare were awarded a prize of €1,000 towards their school’s science facilities
for their support of their winning student.
Speaking about the growth and development of the programme over the past seventeen years
Martin commented; “Both Carmel and I are delighted by the growth of this program and the incredible community of alumni who are doing extraordinary work in education
Today we are delighted to welcome a new cohort of wonderful young people to join this group and to support and encourage them in a small way with their undergraduate studies in Ireland
We firmly believe that these bright and engaging students who are passionate about their studies in the STEM areas will be Ireland’s leaders and wealth creators of the future.”
Naas goalkeeper Cormac Gallagher flicks the sliotar clear as Éire g Corra Choill Aaron Manders closes in during the UPMC SHC Round 1 game at Hawkfield
There were no less than seven senior hurling championship games down for decision between Friday and Saturday
Two games in Group 1 (winners') and two in Group 2 (losers' section)
showed just how far they are ahead of everyone with a very comfortable win over Éire Ó Corra Choill
after defeating Leixlip in the preliminary round
brought that form into Saturday's clash with Celbridge defeating their neighbours by two points
Another notable victory saw Moorefield defeat Naas (2nd) in Round 2 of the Senior B Hurling Championship
Students from Confey Community College in County Kildare have been crowned winners of the Microsoft Dream Space: brAIn_waves national competition
Following on from the students’ engagement in the Microsoft Dream Space TV series: brAIn_waves – which launched earlier this year in collaboration with RTÉ Learn – the competition encouraged students to harness their learnings from the series to create and submit their team’s AI For Good solution
which was held in Microsoft’s Dream Space at its campus in Leopardstown
Teams tackled real-world concerns in their communities
explored how AI could address these issues
and developed their own AI for Good solutions
Confey Community College in Leixlip, Kildare won the national competition for their project ‘EcoWise AI’, an AI tool to support the public in reducing their carbon footprints by analysing their personal habits and suggesting personalised changes
The competition builds on Microsoft’s commitment to ‘Skill Up Ireland’ for the era of AI by way of its national skilling programme
The programme includes a range of AI learning opportunities for young people in primary and post-primary education
as well as courses for graduates and mid-career professionals looking to upskill and specialise in AI
Commenting on the announcement James O’Connor
Microsoft Ireland Site Leader and Vice-President Microsoft Global Operations Service Centre said
“We were thrilled to host the finale of the brAIn_waves competition at our campus
teamwork and digital leadership of students across Ireland
The Microsoft Dream Space: brAIn_waves series and subsequent competition has placed a well-deserved spotlight on AI - a technology that is becoming increasingly integral to our society
our STEM and AI education programme designed to support students from all communities and backgrounds across the island of Ireland
we are equipping the next generation with the essential skills required to thrive in the era of AI
As a transformative technology that is becoming increasingly important in our everyday lives
it is crucial that students have the opportunity to prepare for an AI-enabled future
brAIn_waves is one of the many initiatives that we’re delivering to ensure that students in primary and post-primary education can develop their understanding and skills in this vital technology
“Working together with RTÉ Learn on the brAIn_waves series has been instrumental in providing an engaging platform for students to develop their AI capabilities
The enthusiasm and innovative solutions presented by the participants throughout the competition underscores the importance of industry and education working together to foster the next generation of tech innovators
Congratulations to the winning team and all the participants for their outstanding contributions
We look forward to seeing how these young innovators will continue to shape the future with their remarkable talents.”
Group Head of Childrens and Young Peoples Content in RTÈ said
“It was wonderful for RTÈ Learn to work again with our colleagues in Microsoft Dream Space to support the AI stars of the future. The considerable creativity on display from the next generation of students was inspiring as they presented compelling AI solutions to real-world issues
The brAIn_waves competition and series has helped to empower students to not just understand AI
but to become active participants in shaping its positive impact on the world around them
Congratulations to Confey Community College for their impressive EcoWise AI project and to all the participants for showcasing tremendous creativity and commitment through their projects."
Cllr Bernard Caldwell has called on Kildare Co Council to install a pedestrian crossing at Confey Cemetery in Leixlip
The politician raised the issue at the December meeting of the local Municipal District.
Kildare County Council said that the development of any pedestrian crossing will be dependent on funding
The Council said the area in the vicinity of Confey Cemetery will be assessed by technical staff to determine what type of pedestrian crossing is appropriate
Sustainable Transport and Traffic Management
added: "The delivery of any facility will be dependent on a future funding source being identified
Councillor Caldwell also asked the Council to provide any update from Waterways Ireland on the pedestrian entrance to the Royal Canal at Cope Bridge
The Council said the Transport Department made contact with Waterways Ireland in respect of the issue and they advised that are willing to come up with a solution to address the issue
The lands in question are outside the scope of the Part 8 for the Royal Grand Greenway and are in the ownership of Waterways Ireland
Dave Lambert with mother-in-law Miriam Ardiff and nephew Daniel O'Brien at the U20 All-Ireland final 2023
Dave Lambert worked his way through the Confey ranks to the first team management position for their now historic 2006 season
The club was just 17 years old then and despite Junior ‘A’ and league successes
few expected the breakaway club north of Leixlip to go so far that year
Previous manager Stephen Kinneavy had brought Cofney to an Intermediate final in 2004
Dave made the step-up from his role with the second team to take the mantle
It could have all been so different on multiple occasions for this Confey side
and following a timid effort against Eadestown that his side got out of unscathed
the new boss let his players know where the standards were at
but I was really disappointed with the lads
We won by four points and I kept them out on the pitch and gave them a bit of a bollocking
We were a much better team than Eadestown at that time and we were kinda dragged down
I said 'lads we are not winning anything like that'; it was the kick up the a** we needed
and we had 35 lads out every night” Dave said
Confey seconds would win their respective Championship in the meantime too and Dave added seven players to his squad and four to the starting lineup
“We played Johnstownbridge in the quarter-finals
and Johnstownbridge came flying out fo the traps,” Dave explained
“How I discovered I had a decent squad was when I emptied the bench
we just stuck to our game plan and to how I had set them up
We got the points we needed and they had a miss near the end for an equaliser
but I was thinking that we’ll have our two midfielders back for the semi-final
Confey would kick on to reach a second county final in three years
but it looked to be heading much the way of the first in the opening minutes
Confey trailed St Kevin’s by 1-4 to no score after a disastrous start to the Intermediate county final
“We were slow out of the traps and Kevin's came out flying in fairness to them
Whether it was nerves or the occasion I'm not sure
We then rattled off seven points in a row and it was a draw at half-time
The momentum was with us after that and we kicked on
We were able to hold them off late on and we came out the right end of it,” Dave recalled
Confey would win 0-14 to 1-9 to claim the young club’s first ever Kildare Intermediate Championship title
“When we won Intermediate it was brilliant for me
“There were people who were against it (my appointment) because we’d had high profile managers before that
I was one of the first people from the club to get the first team job
We celebrated like every club does for a couple of days
but we were fortunate that we had a Kilkenny team in the first round of Leinster
I played an entire second 15 bar one player.”
The journey through the provinces was next and the Kildare champions coasted past their Kilkenny counterparts before battling through Ardee St Mary’s in less than ideal conditions
Two Darragh Nolan goals would see Confey produce a comeback to get past Mountmellick and into a Leinster final as the Laois men lost their way
Dave still calls that Leinster semi-final and subsequent comeback one of the hardest games he has ever been involved in
Confey would create the inverse of their county final start when they took on Tubber in the Leinster final
with the Kildare men firing themselves into 1-3 to 0-1 lead on home soil
“We got off to a great start and we were always in the lead in the match
but Ciaran McManus got the ball in midfield
used his strength to get through the middle
but we had enough to hold them off in the end,” Dave explained
I had added people from the club into the management team through Leinster to give them a taste of being a part of this journey and seeing how far we could go
An amazing occasion and celebrations with the team and all the members of the club.”
partnered with the loss of numerous key players
meant that the subsequent All-Ireland semi-final following Leinster success would be the last step on Confey's incredible journey
The Kildare side came up short against high-flying Kerry side Ardfert
who would go on to win the All-Ireland Intermediate Championship
having won the All-Ireland Junior the year prior
and everyone was wrecked by the end of it,” Dave said
but we stayed Senior and did enough to keep our head above water
We were still recovering from the previous year to be honest.”
Dave would step away from first team duty due to family obligations after the conclusion of the 2007 season
A season dedicated entirely to survival following the physical and emotional toll of the prior year
after a successful stint with Blackhall Gaels teams
the Leinster Championship winning manager is now back in Confey with the Senior Ladies for a second year
The Leinster Leader will be doing a feature article from every club in Kildare over the coming weeks and months as part of the Love of the Game series
If you have a suggestion for an article on someone from your club
send them to daragh.nolan@leinsterleader.ie
Confey's James Gately & Towers Michael Joyce in the Joe Mallon Motors SFC Relegation final
Joe Mallon Motors Senior Football Championship Relegation Final
It was the final that all senior teams want to avoid — the relegation decider of the Joe Mallon Motors SFC Championship and this time around it was two teams that had failed to produce the good throughout this campaign and thus ended up in Saturday's decider
At the long whistle there were no disputes
no arguments as Round Towers well soundly defeated by a Confey side that looked more prepared
showed much more endeavour and in the end had five points to spare
Towers don't have to look too far to see where their problems were
an inability to rack up a decent score line and in this case
eight points was never going to be enough to stave off the inevitable
Confey on the other hand looked more dangerous throughout and in fairness played some decent football at times.Matthew Kelly opened the scoring for The Towers
before Niall Carney saw his point attempt come off the upright and cleared
A minute later though Ciaran Lyons had the sides level with a fine long range effort.Joe Kilbane picked up an early yellow before Fergal McGeough edged Confey in front with a point and soon after Confey put their first real stamp on proceedings when a short-kick out went astray
James Gately gained possession and set up McGeough who palmed to the net to make it 1-2 to 0-1 after 12 minutes
Two wides did nothing for the Towers' cause and when David Slattery did one of his trade mark solos ending with a fine point.Yellow cards were picked up by Jason O'Brien and Ian Devane
before Matthew Kelly converted a free as Towers enjoyed one of their few good spells
a fine free after Mark Waters made a brilliant catch and when Cathal Daffy set up David Kelly the lead was back to two points
Before the break James Gately pointed to leave the Confey leading at the break 1-4 to 0-4.James Gately extended the lead on the resumption but Towers responded well with three points on the trot from Jason O'Brien
Neil Scanlon (free) and Matthew Kelly (free) to cut the lead back to a single points with 37 minutes on the clock
It looked like anyone's game at that stage but it was Confey who upped their game having come out of a bit a slumber
something we have seen on a few occasions this season
Points from Brian Grimes and James Gately extended the lead
to three points again.Another three points confirmed their superiority and with Towers only adding one more point there was no disputing the better side
Confey retaining their senior status on a final score line of 1-10 to 0-8
James Gately picked up a late black card while Conor Dennehy did likewise
so a red but nether had any influence on the result
Broadford take Intermediate Hurling title with comfortable win over Maynooth
Subs: Eoin Dennehy for Fergal McGeough (50 minutes); Paddy Griffin for Niall Cawley (54 minutes); Ben O'Boyle for Brian Grimes (58 minutes); Andrew Breslin for Ian Devane (61 minutes)
Subs: Stephen Comerford for Jack O'Neill (34 minutes); Davy O'Neill for Niall Fleming (34 minutes); Danny Kelly for Aaron McConville (46 minutes); Jason Dunne for DJ Flynn (53 minuets).REFEREE: Billy O'Connell
wins procession ahead of Maynooth Micheal Hogan
Confey retained their senior status for 2024 but they were forced to draw on all their experience and then endure almost ten minutes of injury time before securing the vital two point win over Clane in the UPMC Senior Hurling Championship Group B tie
Wonderful displays from Anto Hoare,Eoin Lynch Frank Bass
with ten points and Paul Divilly were the catalyst for this huge win.For Clane it is a return to Senior B for next year but they will be bitterly disappointed they didn't take advantage of their half-time lead as they could only hit four second half points
Frank Bass had Confey in front with an opening free but Sam Donovan levelled for Clane from the resultant puck out.Frank Bass and Paddy McKenna swapped frees to keep parity
Points from Eoin Lynch and Paul Divilly pushed Confey two ahead..Two Paddy McKenna frees regained parity before Frank Bass shot over his third.McKenna hit his fourth on 22 to again level it
Confey hit a purple patch with four in a row in four minutes.Shane Lawless
Eoin Lynch and Frank Bass building up a deserved advantage as half time approached
Clane always hit back turning a four point deficit into a two point lead before the break
Hugh Muldoon pointed and when Paddy McKenna's free dropped under the Confey crossbar Simon Healy was on hand to fire home the game's opening goal.We were level again but only momentarily as Frank Bass capitalised on a throw ball to fire Confey in front
All eyes were on Eamon Kelly for the half-time break just as the rain arrived but Clane were granted a late chance to regain their lead
Simon Healy got possession 30 metres out and as he drove at the Confey defence his momentum took him inside the Confey square.Kelly pointed to the spot and Paddy McKenna rattled home the penalty to leave Clane 2-6 to 0-10 ahead at the break
PremiumScoring chances were at a premium in the opening minutes and it was a long range McKenna free on 37 that pushed Clane three ahead; Sam Donovan made that four
However Clane would only hit three further points over the closing 32 minutes
Confey regained control adding points from Frank Bass
and Colm Chan and Aidan Ryan to level it.Paddy McKenna regained the lead with a sixty metre free for Clane
The Leixlip men regained their composure and with Paul Divilly seemingly everywhere they outscored Clane by five points to one over the closing minutes
Two Frank Bass white flags and one from Divilly was enough to push Confey two ahead and despite Paddy McKenna adding a seventh free deep in injury time to reduce it to the minimum it was Frank Bass who shot over a simple free on 69 to see out the victory
CONFEY: Shane Quinn,Ian Baker,Anto Hoare,Kevin Chan,Eoin Lynch 0-2
Paul Ferrick,Philip Quigley,Shane Lawless 0-1
Subs: Mark Waldron 0-1 for Fiachra Lynch 7; Neil Ryan for Paul Ferrick 48; Enda Bannon for Colm Chan 63
Subs: Tom Malone for Sean O Rourke 26; Eamon Little for Sam Donovan 60; Ben Muldoon for Hugh Muldoon 60
St Oliver Plunketts Captain Max Barry holds alot the Minor C Football Championship Cup
with Man of the match Callum Barrett to his right
St Oliver Plunketts became the Manguard Plus Minor C football champions with a comfortable eight point victory over a Confey who never rose to the heights of their semi final victory over Sallins
Confey lined out in a white jersey with a white number which made it impossible to read from the press box and this reporter had to make his way pitch side to try get a better view
In a game that took eleven minutes to come to life It was Plunketts who settled best and this Ballymore and Two Mile House amalgamation had hit 1-3 before the 20th minute
Max Barry opened the scoring after 11 before the impressive Callum Barrett hit 1-2.Barrett was causing all sorts of problems for the Confey defence and when Seamus Kelleher kicked a long free towards Barrett he quickly rounded Tim Mullaney to score a great goal
Confey did respond with a pointed Nathan McCreanor free to get on the scoreboard just before the break.Oliver Plunketts lead 1-3 to 0-1 as Damien Whelan brought the half to a close
Confey came out for the second half with a pep in their step and it was Nathan McCreanor who pointed his second free to reduce the gap to four
Their effort petered out as quick as it started and three points from Daniel Clarke with two and Callum Barrett moved Oliver Plunketts seven ahead at the end of the third quarter
McCreanor with his third free and a long range effort from Oisin Maher reduced the gap again but that was as close as Confey could get
The closing nine minutes saw Confey throw everything at Plunketts but solid defensive work inspired by Des Horan and Seamus Kelleher kept Peter Kelly's men in the driving seat
Two pointed Sam Fahey frees and a point from substitute Kyran Doyle secured a 1-9 to 0-4 victory for Oliver Plunketts.A late black card for Alan Winders failed to dampen the spirit and the final whistle was greeted with jubilant scenes from the Ballymore and Two Mile House supporters
Some excellent performances on the Plunketts team and their ability to use the ball better and to kick good scores got them over the line
Confey will know that it was maybe the occasion that got to them but the hard work in the club will soon be rewarded based on previous rounds in the championship
Neil O'Toole; Nathan McCreanor 0-3 (3 frees)
Subs: Sean Slattery for Andrew Moore (19 minutes); Robin Breslin for Brian Johnson (35 minutes); Dylan Shields for Neil O'Toole (43 minutes); Jack O'Rahilly for Sean Slattery (54 minutes);Sean Loughlin for Conor O'Sullivan (59 minutes)
ST OLIVER PUNKETSSS: Billy Corcoran; Luke Devlin
Subs: Alan Winders for Christian Barry (45 minutes); Conor Keogh for Conor Burke (50 minutes); Kyran Doyle 0-1 for Daniel Clarke (56 minutes); Ed Choiseul for David Grant (60 minutes); Thomas O'Connor for Brian Gilroy (60 minutes)
Confey earn draw with late point against Larries
St Laurence's and Confey in this SFC Group C game with the north Kildare side coming back in the second half from what earlier had looked a hopeless case
However the introduction of James Gately sparked Confey into life
a goal from Gately gave them hope and a second from Ian Devane gave them real hope
late point from Niall Carney that tied it up in the 64 minute
Two points in the opening few minutes saw St Laurence's take a lead
a lead they held to half-time against Confey in the SFC Group C clash at Manguard Park
Confey looked to have reduced the lead from a free from Fergal McGeogh but it was waved wide
Adam Steed increased the lead before Conor Jennings opened with a point for Confey.Steed then added three points
Felix Lalor (free) pushed the lead out to 0-7 to 0-1
Confey's Niall Carney converted a free for a pick-up offence; Luke Gorman hit a lovely kick pass to Chris Fenner who was in on goal but elected to fire over and while Conor Jennings got one back for Confey
Joe Hanamy ended the half with a point to leave the half-time score reading St Laurence's 0-9 Confey 0-3
Chris Fenner pushed out that lead on the resumption and Adam Steed
Enter James Gately with a point followed by a goal two minutes later
and when Ian Devane got on the end of a Gately centre
Niall Clynch punched a point and when Felix Lalor was fouled in the square
a penalty awarded but Jason McHugh's effort went high and over but it still left The Larries ahead by three on 55 minutes
Back came Confey with a Fergal McGeogh free
late on after Niall Clynch picked up a black card
up stepped Niall Carney with the perfect effort to draw the game – St Laurence's 0-13 Confey 2-7
Subs: Ben Hourihane for Aiden Crean (bs 18-27); James Gately for Andrew Moore (37 minutes); Sean Slattery for Brian Johnson (44 minutes); Ben Hourihane for Colm Noctor (51 minutes); Tomas McCann for Eoin Dennehy (62 minutes)
ST LAURENCE'S: Richard Redden; Ciaran O'Sullivan
Subs: Padraig O'Neill for Chris Fenner (48 minutes); Aaron Gorman for Joe Hanamy (54 minutes)
Kilcock's Shane Farrell turns away from Confey's Shane Dineen in the IFC clash at St Conleth's Park
Joe Mallons Motor Senior Football Championship Group D
Kilcock got the better of Confey in Round 2
however they certainly made hard work of it against a Confey side that gave it their all but always looked like they would come out second best
that despite leading for long periods of the game and by two at half-time.Paul Divilly got Confey off to the ideal start pointing after three minutes
Kilcock came back and not for the first time in the afternoon were denied a goal by the upright
Daniel Courtney crashing it off the post before being cleared
Kilcock took some seven minutes before finding the range and it was a sweeping move that began at the back and ended with David Duke firing over
Shane Farrell had a great chance of a goal but his effort was straight at Confey keeper Colin Heeney
Confey kicked on with three white flags from James Gately including one free and one mark
It was mid-way through the half before Kilcock raised a second flag
Eoin McArdle firing over an excellent left footed effort; Shane Farrell fired over a 45 to reduce the lead to the minimum
initially keeping the ball on the ground before McArdle gathered and hit it off the right hand upright and was cleared
From that Confey attacked and James Gately pointed.A long range Gately free was touched over by Paul Divilly as Confey now led 0-6 to 0-3
James Gately got his fifty of the half before Daniel Courtney and Cameron Nairn reduced it to the minimum before the break — 0-7 to 0-5
James Gately (free) extended the lead on the resumption before Shane Farrell hit a lovely long range effort over; Daniel Courtney fired over to leave one in it before a James Gately effort came off the crossbar and cleared
The upright was again in operation when a Brendan Gibbons effort came off it but this time to Cameron Nairn who fired over to level it on 35 minutes
Kilcock took the lead with a fine David Duke effort but Confey hit back with points from Paddy Griffin and that man James Gately to go one clear
Kilcock stepped it up again hitting four on the trot from Eoin McArdle
Shane Farrell and a Jason Gibbons effort that went just over
Daragh McArdle put it back to three before James Gately reduced it again to two before Shane Farrell popped over a 45 before the final whistle arrived Kilcock deservingly won on a final score line of Kilcock 0-15 Confey 0-12
St Laurence's steal a point late against Clogherinkoe in Kildare SFC
Subs: Findlay Nairn for Cian O'Sullivan (half-time); Danny Maguire for Mark Gibbons (55 minutes)
Subs: Ciaran Kilbane for Ciaran Lyons (36 minutes); Ian Devane for Fergal McGeough (42 minutes); Brian Grimes for Joe Kilbane (49 minutes); Aidan Crean for David Slattery (blood sub 53-58 minutes); Eoin Dennehy for Niall Carney (59 minutes)
Confey Aidan Ryan slips past Ardclough Liam Hanley in the UMPC SHC Group B
Group B game in the SHC played at St Conleth's Park
exciting but the standard left an awful lot to be desired
both sides guilty of hitting wides one would like to think would find the target on another day
And while Confey will be more than happy to advance to the quarter-final
Ardclough on the other hand will be bitterly disappointed
not only with the result but with their overall display
red and yellow who dominated the early exchanges and while it was Confey who opened the scoring with a Frank Bass free on two minutes
it was Ardclough who took control and threatened to overwhelm their opponents hitting five points on the trot from Tony Spain
Paul Fitzgerald and Aaron Kelly to lead 0-5 to 0-1 after ten minutes
Confey responded with a Neil Ryan white flag but Ardclough again kicked on adding three more points.In fairness to Confey they did not fold and points from Shane Lawless (2) and another free from Frank Bass had the lead back to three
Unfortunately the game was then held up for a considerable time after Aaron Kelly (Ardclough) picked up what looked like a serious knee or leg injury which required an ambulance to take him to hospital and when the game re-started after some 10 to 12 minutes it was Confey who continued their improved form with points from Frank Bass and Ben O'Boyle to cut the lead to one
Four points were equally shared before the break which left Ardclough leading by one 0-10 to 0-9.Peter Fitzgerald converted a free on t he resumption to put Ardclough two clear but Confey hit back after an Ardclough attack was intercepted on their own half-forward line with the instant attack at the other end seeing Ben O'Boyle fire to the net and level up matters
Ardclough hit well with two points from Fitzgerald
both frees; Frank Bass leveled before taking the lead before the second water break
The next four points were shared as both sides missed some very easy chances but in the end it was Confey who prevailed to book a quarter-final spot on a final score line of Confey 1-13 Ardclough 0-15
with Confey's Paul Ferrick picking up a second yellow at the death
Subs: Neil Ryan for Niall Glennon (13 minutes): David Slattery for Eoin Lynch (42 minutes); Aidan Crean for Colm Chan (46 minutes); Enda Bannon for Ruairi Lynch (50 minutes); Colm Chan for Frank Bass (60 minutes)
Subs: Ronan Geoghan for Aaron Kelly (24 minutes); Dara De Burca for Johnny Reeves (54 minutes); Niall Devane for Cillian Burke (63 minutes)
Wolfe Tones Simon Hughes delivers his strike into the forward line in the UMPC JHC final against Confey
it was Wolfe Tones who came out on top over Confey to claim the UPMC Junior Hurling Championship title
The game ebbed and flowed throughout but the teams never managed to get too far away from one another on the scoreboard
After a superb Wolfe Tones point from midfielder
One of Confey’s standout men on the day was midfielder Mark Fennelly and with a couple of points already to his name
he looked to turn creator as he launched the ball long into the full-forward line
The ball would be fiercely contested before dropping dead still on the sticky surface in Manguard Park
as Wolfe Tones goalkeeper Niall Gorey sought to close the angle
Divilly used all his skill and nous to scoop the ball over Gorey and into the back of the net
this felt like a huge moment for the now leading side as they sought to close out this game with eight minutes of regulation time to go
After five minutes of excruciating tension and a couple of wides that only heightened that fact
Corner-forward Aaron Carney found space and slotted over a superb effort to draw the sides level with three minutes remaining on the clock
That would be quickly followed by a further boost to Wolfe Tones’ hopes as Confey’s Patrick Hoare was given a straight red card for an off the ball incident
it would take a moment of quality to win this game and Tones found it
Couch took possession and like he never doubted himself for a moment squeezed his effort
It may have been a Couch point to edge in front
but there was nobody seated after that exceptional score
David O’Flaherty hit the final score of the game just as the clock reached the allotted four minutes of injury time.Moments later
Wolfe Tones were crowned UPMC Junior Hurling Champions
Subs: Daniel Glennon for Ross Doyle (Half-time)
Fionn Doyle for Jamie Costello (48 minutes)
Subs: Brian Grimes for Paul Keegan (15 minutes)
Seán Moroney for Martin Devaney (38 minutes)
Patrick Hoare for Conor Murphy (50 minutes)
McDonald (Deputy Principal) from Confey College Leixlip in Co Kildare
Main pic: Left to right front row: Hannah Paul
Talented secondary school students from Co Kildare are today representing their county as they participate in the Scratch Coding competition in the University of Limerick
Kildare will be represented by two teams of young coders from Confey College in Leixlip in the national coding finals
Their projects include ‘Magic Wizard’ and ‘Spare some change’
the National Scratch Competition has established itself among both teachers and students as a leading platform and showcase for Ireland’s aspiring digital creators
Scratch is a visual programming language that makes it easy for young people to create their own interactive stories
music and art – and share their creations on the web
This year the competition received over 500 entries from all age categories from junior infants up to 6th class from coderdojo groups and schools throughout the country
The 32 finalists were whittled down through two tough rounds of judging
The competition is open to students in primary and second level schools in Ireland
and to students attending after-school coding clubs such as Coderdojo
Projects can be about anything – the only limit is students’ imagination
The competition is a Tech Week event
Ireland’s festival of technology aimed at students
which is supported by Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Science Foundation Ireland
provides hands-on opportunities to learn about how computing and related technology are shaping every area of life
CEO of the Irish Computer Society said “The Scratch competition seeks to boost an interest in science
engineering and mathematics through enjoyable projects
It equips young students with the necessary tools to help them build their very own games
The ability to code computer programs is an important part of literacy in today’s society
We are helping children understand how the world around them works
Coding is part of that; it prepares them for when they leave school
There are going to be numerous jobs in the future where they are going to need to have coding skills or design skills
Education and Outreach Manager in Lero commented “Coding is a challenging yet rewarding experience
As the digital landscape continues to change so will the way in which we communicate within it
Scratch allows students to express their creativity and teach them there is no such thing as impossible
Programming teaches young students not only how to solve problems
It is a life skill that will allow our students to become the architects of the future.”
AWS Ireland Country Manager said, “At AWS we are focused on innovating and building on behalf of customers
and we excited to support Tech Week Ireland
Tech Week is a wonderful initiative that aims to spark young imaginations and inspire students to use technology in creative ways
workshops and seminars students will have access to throughout the week will expose them to everything from cloud computing to machine learning and Internet of Things (IoT)
and highlight the exciting job opportunities that exist within the IT industry
Encouraging more people to consider a career in technology will be fundamental to powering Ireland’s digital economy.”
All 1st year students from Confey College in Leixlip
Moorefield Mark Murray cuts inside the covering Aidan Crean
Confey in the opening round of the Aldridge Cup
On a day Moorefield unveiled their ambitious development plans
their senior footballers got their season off to a winning start with a comfortable win over Confey at Moorefield headquarters
Four goals is a great return any day of the week and with two in each half this game was well over long before the final whistle arrived on a day certainly not conducive to good football
Nevertheless there was some decent scoring and with Moorefield's new man
Cork native Dan O'Callaghan finding the net twice it was certainly a fine start from the school master
Evan O'Brien got the score under way with a point; Mark Murray added another before O'Callaghan got the first of his goals
Adam Sweeney knocked it down to O'Callaghan who palmed to the net
Imad Mirza and Ciaran Lyons got Confey's four points in the opening half but once Moorefield got their second goal the writing was on the wall with the home side leading the break 2-4 to 0-4
As the weather deteriorated in the second half
Moorefield continued to dominate and added two more goals
Dan O'Callaghan and one from Adam Sweeney and while Confey raised a green flag from Brian Kane
the result was never in doubt and in the end the home side opened their account for new manager
on a score line of Moorefield 4-9 Confey 1-5
Celbridge James Dolan spins away from Confey Ian Barker in the UPMC SHC
Celbridge and Confey played out an exciting draw in Round 2 of the UMPC SHC
Group B (losers' group) at Hawkfield on Saturday afternoon
It was a game both sides will feel they could have won with Confey probably having the best opportunity when a late free failed to find the posts
a score that would have put them back in front
In all the sides were level seven times through with Celbridge dominating early on but Confey coming right back in it in the second half and in fact led by two not too long from the finish
Two Billy White frees had Celbridge in front early on but Frank Bass reduced the deficit before a lovely cross-field pass from Gerry Keegan saw Sam White making no mistake
Confey hit back to draw level with white flags from Shane Lawless before Ben O'Boyle had his effort brilliantly saved by Fiachra Ó Muineacháin but Bass fired over the resultant 65 to level
Gerry Keegan and Bass again exchanged points before another White Free had Celbridge one clear on 15 — 0-5 to 0-4.Eoin Lynch leveled
Gerry Keegan replied before Paul Divilly hit a monster free followed by an Eoin Lynch point as Confey led by one
A long ball into the danger area saw Confey keeper Shane Quinn batted down the sliother but only to Andy Shanagher who made no mistake to find the net from close range and when Jamie Connelly added a point Celbridge now led 1-7 to 0-7.Confey got right back into it
when Shane Lawless found Colm Chan and the full forward found the net for the equalising goal
Celbridge stepped it before half-time hitting four points on the trot to lead 1-12 to 1-8.A Ben O'Boyle goal at the start of the second half gave Confey a bit of momentum and while Gerry Keegan fired over a point two white flags from Paul Divilly had the sides level again
Celbridge edged two clear but Confey hit back with four points on the trot to open a two point lead on 45 minutes.Leo Quinn reduced the lead to one; Billy White sent a scorable effort left and wise; Paul Divilly had a chance to put two in it but his free was pushed out right and wide before Leo Quinn leveled on 62 minutes as the final whistle arrived: Celbridge 1-17 Confey 2-14 — all things considered probably a fair result on the day
CELBRIDGE: Fiachra Ó Muineacháin; Ciaran Kirwan
Subs: Paul Hogan for James Dolan (47 minutes); Sean O'Sullivan for Ciaran Kirwan (43 minutes)
Subs: Kevin Chan for Colm Chan (blood sub 26-41 minutes); Aidan Crean for Frank Bass (54 minutes)
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The late Dessie Kiernan (left) and the late Jim Kiernan (right)
two neighbours from the Longford townland of Fostra
were laid to rest beside each other in Confey cemetery
Jim passed to his eternal reward on Saturday
Dromard GAA wrote that the community was deeply shocked and saddened to hear of the sudden passing of their friend
Dessie Kiernan at a relatively young age.
and very talented player with Dromard GAA club right up to under 21 level before moving to Dublin.
He remained a great supporter down through the years attending the bigger games and always enquiring about when his annual members draw was due.
He was also a great supporter of the Longford county teams through thick and thin and attended as many of their matches as he could
A Longford jersey from the famous 1966 and 1968 teams was brought to the altar as an offertory gift during Dessie's funeral Mass
He loved to visit home and to catch up with all his many friends in the wider Dromard
Dessie’s large circle of friends always looked forward to his visits
it was as if he had never left.
Dessie was also a great supporter of the Confey GAA Club and was very popular in the area
He was a regular attendee at their matches and loved being involved in all their club activities.
With the passing also of James (Jim) Kiernan (on Saturday
it was coincidental but fitting that two neighbours
who only lived a few hundred yards apart from where Dessie was born
were interred beside each other in Confey Cemetery
surrounded by his family and in the loving care of the staff at Woodlands
Jim was predeceased by his parents Patrick and Rose
brother John Joe and sister Bridget.
Jim lay in repose at Cunningham’s Funeral Home
Removal took place from his home to the Church of Our Lady’s Nativity
October 6 arriving for Requiem Mass at 11am followed by burial in Confey Cemetery
Dessie was predeceased by his parents Brian and Mary (née Farrell)
Dromard GAA expressed sympathy to his wife Máire (Moya)
October 10 for family and close friends only
Confey arriving for Funeral Mass followed by burial in Confey cemetery
May Dessie and Jim Rest In Peace.Ar dheis Dé go raibh a n-anamacha.
FILE PHOTO: Image by Joshua Miranda from Pixabay
File Photo: Image by beasternchen from Pixabay
Midland Hearing Care looks at what is perilymphatic fistula
Liam Brady plays Bill Snibson while Lindsay Dann plays Sall in St Mel’s Musical Society's production of Me and My Girl
Minster Alan Dillon at the opening of the new offices
The Longford GAA day saw quite the turn out
even Marty Morrisey made his way down for the 21st Longford Day at Punchestown
Confey Community College student Senan Corr landed the prize for best essay in Leinster at the inaugural Oireachtas Essay Competition prizegiving in Leinster House on Friday
Senan received his prize from Ceann Comhairle
at a ceremony attended by the winning students
as well as Competition judges and sponsors
The prizegiving ceremony was followed by lunch and a tour of Leinster House
sponsored by book publishers and distributors Eason
was devised by Independent NUI Senator Rónán Mullen with the support of An Ceann Comhairle and the Oireachtas Education Unit
Senior Cycle (5th and 6th Year) and AS/A Level students across the Island of Ireland were invited to submit essays in Irish or English on the theme ‘Parliamentary Politics Matters’ or ‘Tábhacht na Polaitíochta Parlaiminte’
Over €4,500 in prizemoney went to the winners
The judging panel were particularly impressed with the measured exploration of the development of parliamentary democracy in Senan’s winning essay
Ceann Comhairle Seán Ó Fearghaíl said that greater engagement by young people with the political system was “vital for the health of our democracy and for our ability to overcome the many challenges we face at home and abroad.”
Senator Mullen said the “wave of interest” generated by the Competition among schools and students would “ensure the continuity of this Competition into future years.”
Confey Community College in Leixlip has paid tribute to tragic student Ana Kriegel
whose body was found in a derelict farmhouse in Lucan yesterday
Ana was a first year student in the college
“We learned yesterday afternoon (17th May 2018) of the death of Anastasia Kriegel
“This is a terrible tragedy for the Kriegel family
We are deeply saddened by Anastasia's death
thoughts and prayers are with the Kriegel family and friends.”
The family raised the alarm when Ana failed to return home Monday evening
Gardaí discovered the body off the Clonee Road in Lucan at approximately 1pm yesterday afternoon
on the mark for Clane against Confey in the Joe Mallon SFC Preliminary Round
got their season's equilavent championship off to the perfect start at Hazelhatch Road when proving too good for Confey on Friday evening last
in a repeat of last year’s preliminary round clash
Playing against a strong breeze in the first half
A foul inside the small square on Ben O’Boyle resulted in a penalty with Ciaran Lyons stepping up and blasting his shot to the back of the Clane net
The boys in white responded with a point from play from Sam McCormack and a free from Brian McLaughlin
James Gately kept the scoreboard ticking over for Confey before Oisin O’Sullivan
before Conor Jennings split the posts for Confey
Clane got the next four scores without reply giving them a healthy cushion of 1-9 to 1-2 lead at the break
SECOND HALFClane were first off the mark in the second half with a point from Adam Fanning
Frees from Fergal McGeogh and Niall Carney kept the score board ticking over for Confey and they did manage to create a goal chance early in the second half
but John Ball was quick off his line to narrow the angle and force the shot from Ian Devane wide
Clane continued to press on the Confey goal and Adam Fanning’s goal bound shot drew a superb save from Colin Heeney.On 48 minutes however
Oisin Tighe’s shot was saved by Colin Heeney
but the rebound led to a scramble on the goal line
Confey thought they had cleared the danger
only for the umpire to signal that the ball had crossed the line
A brief consultation withthe referee followed and the green flag was waved to the bemusement of many in attendance.Clane finished the game much the stronger with points from Adam Fanning
Brian McLoughlin 0-5 (2 frees); James Behan 0-1
Subs: Danny Egan for Shane McCormack (35 minutes)
Oisin Tighe 0-1 for Oisin O’Sullivan (47 minutes)
CONFEY: Colin Heeney; Aiden Crean Colm Chan
Sub: Colm Noctor for Ian Devane (35 minutes)
Confey Aidan Ryan has his run checked by Celbridge Billy White during the Senior Hurling Championship semi final
Confey caused a major upset in the opening game at St Conleth's Park this afternoon when booking a place in next weekend's Haven Hire SHC final following a well deserved seven point over a fancied Celbridge side
In a game dominated by the conditions as the rain never stopped throughout it was Confey who worked the hardest throughout and with David Slattery causing all sorts of problems and goals coming at the right time from Kieran Divilly and Frank Bass Celbridge had no response
Confey led at the break 0-6 to 0-3 and while they had to face into the breeze in the second half it was they who scored the vital two opening points to stretch their lead
Celbridge did reduce the gap to three but that was as good as it got when David Slattery picked up a great ball
the substitute made no mistake to fire to the net
Subs: Frank Bass for Kieran Divilly (46 minutes)
CELBRIDGE: Michael Crowley; Michael O'Donovan
Sub: Fiachra Ó Muineacháin for Mark Moloney (blood sub 5-8 minute); Fiachra Ó Muineacháin for Andy Shannagher (39 minutes); Aidan O'Riain for Tom Finnerty (53 minutes); Patrick Leahy for Jamie Connolly (57 minutes)
CONFEY Community College in Leixlip is welcoming prospective students and their families to an Open Night this Wednesday
the Open Night is an opportunity to see the college’s facilities and meet school management
Confey College is a co-educational post-primary school with innovative
modern facilities and well-equipped classrooms
Currently enrolling for the academic year 2023 to 2024
Confey has a comprehensive curriculum for the Leaving and Junior Certificate and an extensive programme of extra-curricular and co-curricular activities
Students who attended a Gaelscoil are also offered the opportunity to continue their education through Irish
Contact the college on 01 6245322, visit the college website HERE or follow them on Facebook
CLONDALKIN Rugby Club senior men’s team had plenty to shout about when they claimed the Leinster League Division Two A title. It’s the first time ... Read More
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