By Michelle Crean

Students as Scoil Phobail Sliabh Luachra (SPSL) have been awarded and celebrated for their achievements.

Shane Ryan pictured with Junior Sliabh Luachra Arts & Cultural Award winners Colleen Angland and Nóirín Healy at the annual school awards in Scoil Phobail Sliabh Luachra.

Senior Sliabh Luachra Arts & Cultural Award recipient was Grace Angland pictured with Shane Ryan at the annual school awards in Scoil Phobail Sliabh Luachra.

The Active Citizenship Award went to John Hughes who is pictured with with Shane Ryan and Denis Kerins (Principal) at the annual school awards in Scoil Phobail Sliabh Luachra.

Outstanding Sporting Excellence Representing the School was given to the U15 Boys Basketball Teams in Scoil Phobail Sliabh Luachra.

Tara Buckley pictured with special guest Shane Ryan was named Transition Year Student of the Year at the annual school awards at Scoil Phobail Sliabh Luachra.

Niamh Collins was awarded Leaving Certificate Applied Student of the Year. She is pictured with Shane Ryan Susan Collins and Denis Kerins (Principal) at the annual school awards in Scoil Phobail Sliabh Luachra.

The Endeavour Award went to Keri Ann Hanrahan who is pictured with her parents Maria and Mike and special guest Shane Ryan at the annual school awards in Scoil Phobail Sliabh Luachra.

The Principal’s Award went to Joshua O’Sullivan who is pictured with Principal Denis Kerins and Shane Ryan at the annual school awards in Scoil Phobail Sliabh Luachra.

Anne Casey Joy Memorial Shield was awarded to Katie Rea pictured with Shane Ryan at the annual school awards in Scoil Phobail Sliabh Luachra.

Environmental Award - Andee Lenihan and Amy Donnelly with Shane Ryan at the annual school awards in Scoil Phobail Sliabh Luachra.

Exceptional Contribution in Team Activities Outside of School went to Orla Cronin and Tiarna Dineen (Camogie) Ella Guerin-Crowley and Joanne O’Keeffe (Rugby) and Jamie Daly (Rowing). They are pictured with Shane Ryan at the annual school awards in Scoil Phobail Sliabh Luachra.

Megan Kiely was named Leaving Cert Student of the Year at the annual school awards in Scoil Phobail Sliabh Luachra. She is pictured with Shane Ryan her mother Noreen and Principal Denis Kerins.

Academic Excellence in Leaving Cert Applied Award at Scoil Phobail Sliabh Luachra from left: Shane Ryan (Special Guest) with Kacper Mocarski Tara McLarnon Niamh Collins Shauna Heapes and Denis Kerins (Principal). Missing from photo is Danny Hickey.

The Paud O’Leary Memorial Shield went to the U14 Boys Basketball Team pictured with their coaches Jim Hughes John Hughes and Joan O’Mahony at Scoil Phobail Sliabh Luachra.

On Friday, October 28 there was an extra element of excitement in the air as special guest Shane Ryan had just be announced as a recipient of this year’s GAA All-Star Awards.

Shane, who was a student at the school, presented them with their awards for curricular and extra-curricular activities.

He gave generously of his time and wisdom before dashing off to Dublin for his own awards ceremony.

Shane, who won an All-Ireland medal with Kerry at senior level this year, had previously won a Minor title with the Kingdom in 2013, which was also the year he sat the Leaving Certificate in SPSL.

In his inspiring speech to students Shane reminded them about the importance of having a passion in life, to set goals for what they really want and then to put in the hard work that is needed to achieve success.

“Nothing in life worth having comes easily,” he said, “go out and earn what is yours.”

He also had a message about the importance of building relationships.

“From First to Sixth Year in school you are sharing an important journey with great people and the people around you in school contribute hugely to who you become.”

Acknowledging the variety of awards being presented, Shane reminded the students about the range of skills and competencies that can be gained from getting involved in non-academic activities including resilience, teamwork, commitment, leadership and the appetite to succeed in the areas and interests which energise them.

He also emphasised the importance of enjoying the journey rather than being totally focused on the destination as well the significance of treating people well.

“People will remember you not always for what you have achieved but for how you made them feel,” he said.

Miriam O'Regan did a great job as MC to ensure the event ran smoothly and on time and Principal, Denis Kerins, thanked all of the staff involved behind the scenes to organise such an uplifting school event to celebrate the hard work and achievements of so many students in the school.

Recipients of awards were:

Active Citizenship Award - John Hughes

Exceptional Contribution in Team Activities Outside of School - Orla Cronin and Tiarna Dineen, Ella Guerin-
Crowley, Joanne O’Keeffe and Jamie Daly

Exceptional Excellence in Individual Activities Outside of School - Kate Murphy

Spirit of the School Community Award - Jade Fitzgerald

Environmental Award - Amy Donnelly and Andee Lenihan

Endeavour Award - Keri Ann Hanrahan

Junior Sliabh Luachra Arts & Cultural Award - Colleen Angland and Nóirín Healy

Senior Sliabh Luachra Arts & Cultural Award - Grace Angland

Outstanding Sporting Excellence Representing the School - U14 and U15 Boys Basketball Teams

Paud O’Leary Memorial Shield - U14 Boys Basketball Team

Anne Casey Joy Memorial Shield - Katie Rea

Principal’s Award - Joshua O’Sullivan

Transition Year Student Tara Buckley

Academic Excellence in Leaving Cert Applied - Niamh Collins, Tara McLarnon, Danny Hickey, Shauna Heapes and Kacper Mocarski

Leaving Certificate Applied Student of the Year - Niamh Collins

Academic Excellence in Leaving Certificate - Michelle Cronin, Miriam Dineen, Keri Ann Hanrahan, Cathy Kiely, Michael McSweeney, Ellen O’Connor, Neil O’Connor, Megan O’Donoghue, Maura O’Keeffe, Alice O’Leary, Katelyn O’Leary, Tara O’Leary, Mairead O’Mahony, Joshua O’Sullivan and Siobhán Twomey.

Leaving Certificate Student of the Year - Megan Kiely.