Oh Brother, what a day of cross-country success!

St Pat’s entered its biggest ever team in the Clonliffe Harriers Brother Cross-Country races on Wednesday, 1 October and reaped the reward with a rich haul of medals.

As well as several outstanding individual performances, St Pat’s took the overall best team prize in the fifth-class race.

Despite the heavy rain the night before, the day was warm and sunny and the grass at the Trinity Sports Grounds on Santry Avenue offered a perfect surface for fast running. Hundreds of fit and enthusiastic students from primary and secondary schools all across Dublin and beyond competed in the event. There were three primary school races – for fourth class, fifth class and sixth class. Each race saw upwards of 200 runners competing for the medal places and overall team prize. 

First up was our fourth class team. Despite the blistering pace, all seven boys ran their hearts out over the 1000m course with Odhran Reynolds coming home in an incredible fifth place with the other boys not far behind.

Then it was the turn of the fifth class boys. Half way around the course, Fionn Coghlan-Smith and Daniel Corrigan were well up with the leaders while their teammates were also doing well in the chasing pack. As the runners rounded the final bend, Fionn sprinted clear to cross the finish line in first place with Daniel a close second. With their teammates also putting in brilliant runs, the team won the overall best-team award. Amazing stuff! 

In the sixth-class race, our runners again did themselves proud with Bobby Ryan just out of the medals in fifth place and his teammates all running their hearts out for their team.

In all the races, the boys were cheered on by a large group of St Pat’s family members who helped push them on to even greater feats!

When it was all over, the boys could reflect on a memorable day’s racing that could only whet their appetite for next year’s event, either in the primary school section or, for the sixth class boys, as runners in their new secondary school. 

Representing St Pat’s were: 

Fourth class: Aidan Maguire, Josh Byrne, Marcus McArdle, Odhran Reynolds, Sean O’Toole, Daniel O’Hara, Dominick Tuite O’Shea.

Fifth class: Fionn Coghlan-Smith, Daniel Corrigan, Nathan Popa, Peter McDermott, Matthew Pollard, Austin Moore, Max Gradov.

Sixth class: Ted Kelleher, Aidan Browne, Jack Kiernan, Daniel Daly, Bobby Ryan, Conor McAnulty, Hugh Counihan.

St. Patrick’s Boys’ Football – Match Report
Tuesday, 30th September 2025 – Away vs Gaelscoil Bharra (Throw-in 3pm)

Our third game of the year saw us travel away to face Gaelscoil Bharra on a small, tight pitch. However, that didn’t stop the game from starting at 100 miles an hour, with Daniel C and Austin winning the ball in midfield straight from the throw-in. Daniel C quickly kicked it onto Tadhg, who linked up brilliantly with Liam G for the first chance of the day – a narrow wide that set the tone for an exciting match.

Moments later, Daniel C won a free which was moved on through Austin, Max, and Callum for some excellent team play. At the back, Adam made a great catch and sent the ball forward for Daniel C to clip over our first point. Patrick was next to drive out of defence, supporting Nathan in goals, who alongside Ben L and Alexis worked tirelessly under pressure.

Further up the pitch, Liam O’C was involved in a clever move that ended in an unlucky wide from Peter after Daniel’s quick free. Jim was inches away from connecting with a big ball down the wing from Austin. The pattern of teamwork continued with Adam and Liam G linking up to find Daniel C for another fine point.

From Nathan’s kickout, Peter drove forward and was unlucky not to hit the net. In defence, Daniel B impressed with clearances and smart passes that set up more chances through Peter and Jim. Tadhg won another free that went narrowly wide, while Ben L again pushed forward from the back. Callum, fed by Liam and Daniel B, was also unlucky with a wide after a flowing move.

Despite our dominance, several wides kept the scoreboard tight. One of the best chances came when Peter and Max combined beautifully just before half-time, but their shot flew narrowly past the post. At the break, only two points separated the sides – everything still to play for.

The second half began with a quick Gaelscoil Bharra goal, but our boys responded in style. Callum won a free, Austin took it quickly, and Daniel C, now playing full forward, smashed in a brilliant goal. Minutes later, Adam (now at centre-back) fed Tadhg, who passed to Daniel C for his second goal in five minutes.

Gaelscoil Bharra hit back with another goal, but Nathan’s solid kickouts and the backline’s determination kept us in the fight. Tadhg and Austin worked tirelessly in midfield, driving the team on. Shortly after this came Daniel C’s third goal, followed by a thunderous finish from Callum, and points from Daniel C and Peter as we hit a purple patch.

The impact from our substitutes was huge. Dylan came on at wing-back and scored two excellent points after strong runs. More fine link-up play followed from Oscar, Caelan, Callum, and Daniel for another near miss. Jake, Luke, Liam O’C, Conor, and Ben O’M all combined superbly to keep the ball moving.

Aidan and Oscar showed fierce tackling up front, while Bobby and Alex added fresh energy and determination. Every player who came on made a difference and showed real teamwork.

When the final whistle blew, St. Pats had pulled clear thanks to hard work, brilliant teamwork, and some outstanding scores. It was a fantastic win for the boys, and one they thoroughly deserved.

Well done to all our players today:
Ben L, Ben O’M, Alexis, Dylan, Tadhg, Patrick, Conor, Bobby, Daniel C, Daniel B, Jim, Oscar, Peter, Alex, Caelan, Callum, Adam, Liam G, Liam O’C, Aidan, Jake, Austin, Max, Luke, Nathan.

A big thank you to all the parents and guardians who came along to support the team today!

St. Pats Abú

Ms. Cronin & Mr. Comerford 

Buddy Reading – Fifth Class & Senior Infants

To kick off Friendship Week, our fifth class pupils teamed up with the boys and girls in senior infants for a special buddy reading session. Each fifth class student paired up with a younger buddy and read them a storybook. There were smiles all around as the older children shared their love of reading, and the infants enjoyed listening to the stories, following along with the reading, making connections and predictions as well as looking at the fabulous illustrations.

Buddy reading is a wonderful way to bring classes together. It helps build friendships across different age groups, encourages a love of reading, and gives our senior infants great role models to look up to. For fifth class, it’s also a chance to show leadership and kindness by helping our younger learners as well as developing reading fluency.

It was a lovely start to Friendship Week, and we’re looking forward to many more activities that celebrate teamwork and respect in our school.

St. Patrick’s NS vs St. Francis Xavier – Tuesday 23rd September 2025

Our second junior football match of the year took place on our home pitch in St. Pat’s with a 3pm throw-in against St. Francis Xavier. The boys of St. Pat’s NS gave it everything in a thrilling contest full of goals, points and excellent teamwork.

The game started at lightning pace with Daniel C sending a big ball into Joe. A free was awarded and Daniel C calmly slotted it over. Soon after, Austin picked out Daniel C again who showed great determination, bursting through and scoring a fantastic goal. From the kick-out, Daniel C won the ball and linked up with Jake, who was unlucky to see his effort drift just wide.

Aidan worked hard in the corner, showing brilliant passing, before some superb team play between Adam, Patrick, Alexis and Daniel C set up Adam for a brilliant goal. Jake had an effort just wide after a pass from Daniel C, while debutant Daniel B showed excellent defending and linked up strongly with Austin on the wing.

A fine move between Ben L, Adam O’C, Daniel C and Jake earned a 45, which Daniel C coolly converted. Adam then set up James, who played the ball into the full forward line where St. Pat’s bundled home another goal on the line. Joe was unlucky to miss soon after, but Austin reacted quickly, taking the 45 and passing it to Joe and then Jake, who nailed a mighty point. Davin, Max and James all had great spells during this passage, working hard to keep the team driving forward.

Just before half-time, our full back Ben L surged forward and scored a superb point, sending the team into the break with a point to cheer about.

The second half began with St. Pat’s leading, and Joe wasted no time in adding a mighty goal. Adam S, Daniel B and Osarobo combined in a flowing move that just went narrowly wide. Liam O’C, who had started in goal earlier in the season, linked up well with Osarobo and Matthew. Not long after, Caelan blasted in a cracking goal with great force.

In defence, Adam S and Daniel B were immense, winning frees, blocking shots and tidying up everything at the back. Liam O’C and Liam G pushed forward bravely, while Ben O’M worked tirelessly to keep the pressure on. Matthew, Ben O’M and Osarobo hunted in packs up front, making life very hard for the opposition defenders, with Matthew’s interception nearly leading to a huge goal chance.

There was great excitement when a penalty was awarded. Adam S stepped up with confidence and slotted it home beautifully to add another goal to the scoreboard. Late in the game, Liam G finished off a fine team performance with a great goal. Nathan, our goalkeeper, played brilliantly between the posts organising the defence.

When the final whistle blew, every single player could be proud of their performance. From start to finish, St. Pat’s showed teamwork, determination and great skill.

Well done to Daniel C, Joe, Austin, Jake, Aidan, Adam, Patrick, Alexis, Daniel B, Ben L, James, Davin, Max, Ben, Caelan, Adam S, Liam O’C, Liam G, Ben O’M, Matthew, Osarobo and Nathan for their huge efforts today and to all the parents/guardians who came out to support the boys!

St. Pat’s abú!

Ms. Cronin & Mr. Comerford

Match Report – GAA Junior Football: Saint Patrick’s NS vs Belgrove Senior BNS
Tuesday 16th September 2025, Throw-in 3pm

Our school’s junior football team had their first outing of the year today against Belgrove of Clontarf, and what an exciting contest it was! Played in perfect conditions, the game began at a blistering pace with both sides eager to make their mark.

From the start, Patrick in corner back cleared his lines brilliantly, sending balls down the wing to get us going. In midfield, Daniel and Austin showed great composure, linking well with Joe down the centre to set the tone early on. Belgrove responded with some strong attacks, but our full back line made up of, Patrick, Ben and Alexis, stood firm, with support from the half-back line of Dylan, Bobby and Adam.

Our first real breakthrough came after fine interplay between Joe and Tadhg on the wing, with Daniel storming through from midfield to slot home a brilliant goal. Belgrove answered immediately with a goal of their own, showing the competitive nature of the game.

Despite heavy pressure, our defence battled bravely, while further up the pitch Peter, Tadhg and Dylan linked up beautifully, though the move ended in a narrow wide. Belgrove pushed hard again, scoring another goal, but our lads never gave up. After a long ball in from Daniel, Jim in the corner forward position finished with a fine goal. Belgrove came back with a point, levelling the scores once more.

Some excellent teamwork followed a sweeping move from Tadhg to Joe, through to Daniel, finished by a superb point from Austin. All the while, Austin worked tirelessly, feeding quality ball from the backs to the forwards and keeping us moving.

At half-time, we had edged ahead by a goal and were full of confidence.

The second half began with a free won by Peter, which Daniel calmly slotted over the bar. Belgrove responded with a goal and a wide during another strong spell, but we struck back brilliantly. Liam, our outstanding keeper, drove a mighty kick upfield to Daniel, who found Joe. Joe charged forward, one-on-one with the keeper, and finished with a cracking goal.

The second half was full of drama. Joe who came into his stride, had wide soon after, but his energy kept us driving forward. A second free for Peter was once again put over by Daniel, keeping the scoreboard ticking. Belgrove hit back with a goal, but not before Liam made a terrific save and another booming kickout that eventually found Matthew, who linked up in a great move.

Substitutes also made their mark – Alex came on and got stuck in right away, while Oscar joined in the second half, adding fresh energy. Conor, Davin, Bobby, Callum and James all worked tirelessly across the pitch, showing real determination in what was a thrilling contest.

As the minutes ticked down, Belgrove managed another goal. We struck back with one of the best team moves of the day, Austin to Matthew, onto Tadhg, then to Joe, who coolly put the ball over the bar. The game was in the balance right until the final whistle.

Unfortunately, despite a heroic team performance, we were edged out by just a single point.

It was a tough but brilliant first day out for the team – full of spirit, determination and no shortage of skill. A huge thank you to all the parents and guardians who came along to cheer us on. The players can be very proud of their efforts, and we are already looking forward to the next match!

Well done to all involved,

Ms. Cronin & Mr. Comerford

On Monday, 19th May, a team from St Pat’s (5th and 6th classes), along with Mr Skelly and Ms Kealy, represented the school in an athletics competition in Morton Stadium, Santry.

The first event was a flag-bearing ceremony for all the schools’ athletes. 

Then there was the long jump and shot putt events. Cian and Nathan participated in these two activities.

After that was the 80m sprint. Hugh and Callan were our school’s athletes for this event.

Following that was Sam running in the 600m race. He came 3rd and got the bronze medal!

Finally, we had the relay (4 x 100m). We had two teams competing in this event; one from 5th class and one from 6th class. 5th was represented by Conor, Dara, Ted and Hugh, and 6th was represented by Patrick, Aodhán, Michael and Callan. 

Special mention to Harry, Sebbie, Louis and Noah who also featured in the team.

The competition was the culmination of many lunchtime practices on the DCU Astro led by Mr Skelly, Ms Kealy and Mr Tubridy.

Well done to all involved!

One of Mr Moore’s pupils wrote this account of the tournament:

“The Ficheall Féile is a chess tournament which was held in the PE hall of St Pat’s on Friday the 28th of February.

There were 80+ students from other schools, and then the pupils from our school as well. Other schools incuded Christ the King (Cabra), St Lawrence O’ Toole’s (Sheriff St) and Gardiner Street Primary School.

We practised around 4 times a day for three or four weeks. On each team there were 8 children from St Pat’s – from Mr Moore’s, Mr Carey’s and Ms O Dwyer’s classes.

Everyone played 6 games; everyone won some of their games.”