News
Miss Keane closes her school books after 43 year’s dedicated service
By Michelle Crean
From days of "chalk and talk" right through to today's modern and sophisticated technologies - one teacher has inspired thousands - but today (Friday) she officially closed her books after 43 years.
Marcia pictured in Croke Park after Kerry defeated Offaly 4-15 to 1-5 in the 1992 All-Ireland inter-county colleges football final.
Marcia pictured in Croke Park after Kerry defeated Offaly 4-15 to 1-5 in the 1992 All-Ireland inter-county colleges football final.
After 43 years, teacher Marcia Kissane (nee Keane) who is described as "a brilliant teacher" and "highly respected" is leaving Killarney Community College (KCC) ready to take on a new life challenge.
From the moment she entered the old Tech in New Street in September 1979 she said she received a warm Killarney welcome.
"I felt and knew I had found my special work place," she told the Killarney Advertiser.
"For me, Killarney Community College is a place rich in experience where I have had the pleasure and privilege of knowing and working with the most wonderful people with students and colleagues."
In teaching, as in life, the one constant is change, she added.
She taught the old Group Cert and Inter Cert through to the latest modes of assessment in the new Junior and Leaving Certificates.
Marcia also made GAA history in May 1992 as a selector on the Kerry VEC football team that won the All-Ireland inter-county series. She was the first female selector in an all-male management team to win an All-Ireland inter-county football final at Croke Park.
"I have wonderful memories of coaching and organising athletes, cross country, ladies football ad reaching All-Ireland glory with Kerry Vocational school. Teaching has been a life-changing journey. I have enjoyed so much teaching both with my favourite subjects Geography, Maths and Irish. I have experienced fun and laughter, joy and sorrow, love and acceptance, hope and despair, community and commitment. I love my students and I have been blessed and challenged by them as I have accompanied them on their school journeys. My special interest has been the Leaving Certificate Applied and watching the progress of these students over the years is one of the most gratifying experiences in teaching."
GRATITUDE
"I feel immense gratitude and appreciation for all the wonderful staff members it has been my honour and privilege to work with. I thank them for their generous sharing of expertise, skills, resources and knowledge but most of all for their love, kindness, understanding and non-judgemental acceptance," she added.
"I leave in the knowledge that Killarney Community College is led and guided by professional, compassionate, caring people. KCC is a wonderful place of teaching and learning but most of all a place of valuing and affirmation of each and every unique individual in the community."
And being a life long learner Marcia is planning further study in the area of human relationships and plans to give parenting courses.
"I believe parenting is rocket science and that knowledge and support are needed in this most precious of human endeavours. Thank you to Stella and Eilish and everyone in KCC and to my family, Ted, Cathy and Elaine."
Killarney Legion GAA Club’s set dancers recently claimed the County Final title in Set Dancing at Scór na bPáistí, held in the Tinteán, Ballybunion.
The winning group includes Diarmuid and Hannah O’Regan, Aoibheann and Cliona Hegarty, Sadie and Grace Brosnan, and Mark and Anne Marie O’Sullivan. Also pictured is their dance teacher, Hanna Majella O’Donoghue. The club was also represented at the finals by Abbey O’Leary, who performed in the solo dancing category.
The “trilogy” between Kerry and Meath ended in triumph for the Kingdom on Saturday, as the Kerry Intermediate Camogie team secured the Division 2 league title in Banagher.
In a match dominated by a fierce breeze and relentless defending, Kerry edged out their rivals by 1-07 to 0-08. While the scoreboard remained low, the impact of the Killarney-area players was a decisive factor in securing Division 1B status for next season.
Kate Lynch of Glenflesk, a mainstay of the attack this season, started in the forward line and contributed to an offensive effort that gradually wore down the Meath backline. However, it was the second-half introduction of Rathmore dual star Danielle O’Leary that helped shift the momentum.
Entering the game in the 43rd minute, O’Leary sharpened the Kerry attack during the intense midfield battles of the final quarter. Her impact was most evident when she combined with fellow substitute Shannon Collins to set up Patrice Diggin’s only score from play, providing the platform for the game’s decisive moment.
In the 55th minute, Collins fired a low shot into the net to nudge Kerry ahead. Despite a late Meath rally, Patrice Diggin held her nerve to slot over two late dead-ball scores to seal the win.
While Kathryn Ryan, Áine Devlin, and Tiarna Dineen were part of the matchday panel and have played key roles throughout this unbeaten campaign, they were not called upon from the bench on this occasion.
Scorers for Kerry: P Diggin 0-07 (4fs, 2 45s); S Collins 1-00
Kerry: A Fitzgerald, T McCarthy, S Murphy, M Costello, R Quinn, N Leen, E O’Donoghue, P Diggin, C Spillane, A O’Sullivan, J Horgan, K Lynch, R O’Connor, L Collins, E Conway. Subs: D O’Leary for Conway, S Collins for Lynch (43); A Behan for Quinn (43)
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