Cillian Dunne receives Sporting Hero Award with the Hidden Heroes, 2015

Cillian Dunne, sixth year student at Borrisokane Community College, was born with Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus (meaning split spine and water on the brain). The severity and implications for Cillian and his family included; confinement to a wheelchair –paralysis of the lower limbs, bowel, bladder, kidney problems and orthopaedic problems including dislocated hips and scoliosis (curved spine).

Cillian has bravely experienced and survived over thirty surgeries and numerous episodes of illness and pain whilst keeping up with his studies and will complete his Leaving Certificate in 2016.

Cillian has always loved sport. The Irish Wheelchair Association Sport provided support and structures for Cillian to harness his energy, dedication, enthusiasm and excellence for Shot Putt, Javelin and Discus. His appetite to compete was insatiable. To date, Cillian has won almost 200 Gold, Silver and Bronze medals in Ireland and the UK. Aged thirteen he represented Ireland at the Celtic Cup Games in Wales where he won three gold medals and the Best Newcomer award. Aged fourteen, he represented Ireland at the International World Junior Games in Dubai and again aged fifteen in the Czech Republic where he finished fourth in the shot putt and sixth in javelin and discus.

In 2011 Cillian turned to wheelchair track racing. Within months of taking up the sport he returned to the Irish squad as a track racer and in 2014 competed at the 10th International World Junior Games in London and this year in the Netherlands. He has now reached number seven in the world junior rankings. Cillian has taken part in the Limerick Run 10K for the past 4 years, improving his time from 44 to 32 minutes this year. He has competed in many local 10K races and can often be seen training on the walkway at Borrisokane Community College and the Nenagh bypass. Cillian plays Irish League wheelchair basketball with the Athlone senior team, the Shannonside Stealers where his teammates include double Paralympic gold medallist Mark Rohan. Not for the faint hearted! Cillian’s dream is to someday represent Ireland at the Paralympics and he continues to train with his goal firmly set on qualifying for Tokyo in 2020.

Cillian was presented with the prestigious Sporting Hero Award by Hidden Heroes on Monday 19^th October by Ms Mary Kennedy (RTE). He won the award for being a sportsperson that has overcome adversity to excel in Sport. He was accompanied on the day by his family and by Ms Angela Butler, who nominated Cillian, and the principal Mr. Matthew Carr. It was a proud and momentous moment for him and his extremely supportive family.

Sport – Soccer

FAI Senior Cup – Venue: Brickfields, Nenagh
Nenagh CBS (2) v Borrisokane Community College (4)

Borrisokane Community College U19 boys travelled to Brickfields in Nenagh to play Nenagh CBS in the FAI Senior Cup. Borrisokane had to up their game after drawing to Croom in the North Munster Cup at the start of the month, and it was evident from the very beginning Borrisokane meant business. They started the game with high intensity and it paid off on 3 minutes when a cross from Cian Darcy was volleyed into the top corner from distance by Alex Jones. Borris looked comfortable and nearly doubled their tally on several occasions. Liam Dooley was a threat up front and Stevie Daly was playing well in midfield. As the first half continued Nenagh came into the game, as expected and Paddy Dunne had to be commanding in defence to maintain their lead. Adam Carey was a welcome return and was vital in halting increasing pressure from Nenagh as they sought an equaliser. On 35 minutes Nenagh’s pressure paid off when Irish International Barry Coffee capitalised on some slack defending to level things up heading into half time.

Borrisokane started the second half as strongly as the first and after sustained pressure Nenagh handled the ball in the box. Stevie Daly calmly converted the spot kick to give the lead back to Borrisokane on 49 minutes. From this point on Borris increased their hold on the game. Dylan Power broke through but was fouled. Cian Darcy stepped up and smashed the ball into the top corner from 35 yards. Nenagh never gave up and pulled one back on 71 minutes to test the reserve of the Borrisokane players. However Borrisokane held their own and never really looked like relinquishing their lead. Cian Darcy added his second after some good work up front to allow Borris to run out convincing winners with a 4-2 score line. There were many positives to take from the game. Danny Maguire and Michael Gavin came into the team and had fantastic games which will leave manager Mr. McGinn with selection headaches for the next game and man of the match Jamie Lee Forde was also very impressive at right back. Borris face Thurles CBS at home on November 5th in a top of the table clash.

Borrisokane Community College Senior Soccer team who defeated Nenagh CBS recently.

Danny Maguire, Jamie Lee Forde, Michael Gavin, Paddy Dunne, Martin Grace, Adam Carey, Alex Jones, Stevie Daly (C), Cian D’Arcy, Liam Dooley, Dylan Power. Subs: Kieran Fox, Rob Banaghan, Jack Sherlock, Cathal Whelan, Sean Harty, Emmett Moran. Banaghan for Carey 76′ Fox for Darcy 85′

Scorers: 
Nenagh: Barry Coffee 35’, Francis Musterberg 71’
Borrisokane CC: Alex Jones 3’, Stevie Daly 49’ Cian D’Arcy 59’ 78’ 

Prefects Project for Team Hope

This year the 6th year prefects in Borrisokane Community College have decided that their charity event will be the Team Hope Christmas Shoebox Appeal. We are aiming to send as many Shoebox gifts as possible to the neediest children around the world this Christmas.

Team Hope are an Irish charity founded in 1998. They work with hundreds of primary and secondary schools throughout Ireland to collect Christmas Shoebox Gifts, that will be sent to the children that need them the most in Europe and Africa. Thanks to the hard work and generosity of the public, over 3 million children in 24 countries have received a Christmas Shoebox, filled with things that will bring them joy and laughter this festive season.

The school will be collecting the filled Christmas Shoeboxes from the 2nd of November and will be sending them off by November 10th. We hope to spread as much Christmas spirit and happiness as we can by encouraging all to support this worthy cause and by bringing in unwanted gifts into the school.