Reminder re. Days Off

Parents and Guardians - please be advised that Kildalkey National School will be closed on Friday, May 2nd and Friday, May 23rd, the latter due to local elections.

Details for Leinster match

Tomorrow, most of Kildalkey (it seems!) will head to the RDS as a result of Debbie's picture winning the Leinster's Art competition. There has been huge interest in the game as a result, with most students from the school attending the game. There are no more tickets left from the school, though there are some tickets still available for the game to purchase - click here.

The following are some of the details for tomorrow.

Everyone is seated in the North Stand behind the goals. This area is unreserved seating. Please also be aware that while Met Eireann is predicting a dry and largely sunny day, there is no cover here if it does rain so be prepared!!

There are no more tickets available for the school so please don't lose yours or leave it behind - it will be up to you to try get a ticket at the stadium if this does happen.

Those travelling on buses. Please be in School Two at 2.15 on Friday. The buses are leaving at 2.30 sharp. As there are approximately 180 people going on four different buses, it will not be feasible or possible to do a roll call. Thus, if you are late, the buses will leave without you - they will not wait. So please be there by 2.15.

The buses won't be stopping for food along the way, going to or coming back from the RDS, so please bring a lunch with you if you desire one.

Leinster won't have any flags there, only to purchase, so try wear as much blue and bring as many blue flags/bunting as you can!

Finally, keep an eye out in the programme for Debbie and her picture and on the big screen! Leinster have a very strong team named with 11 of the Irish championship winning panel in the squad, with the likes of Heaslip, O'Driscoll, Healy, Cronin, Toner, Boss all starting so it promises to be a great day out.

Thanks again, Debbie!!!

Girls' Mini 7s Champions!!

Well done to the girls' Mini 7s team who today won the Mini 7s Camogie championship.

Captained by Jessica and Amy, the girls were excellent throughout and managed to beat Kilmessan in an enthralling final that went to extra time.

To begin with, Kildalkey were drawn in a group with Rath Cairn, St. Mary's Trim and Gaelscoil Tulach na n-Og. Playing Rath Cairn first, the girls signalled their intent by posting 5-5 to no score with some terrific points from distance. They then played St. Mary's, Trim and though this was a tighter affair, they prevailed by 4-0 to 1-0. Finally, they played Gaelscoil Tulach na n-Óg for a place in the final. This was a very close match, played in horrible conditions, with Laura's first half goal proving to be the main difference between the sides.

And then there were two. The final was played and the girls faced off against Kilmessan. In what was a rip roaring encounter, Lauren got Kildalkey off to a great start when scoring a great goal. Kilmessan responded with a goal of their own, a great strike. Jessica then doubled on the ball in the air from Lauren's free to score the goal of the game (and probably the competition) and put Kildalkey a goal ahead at the break. Some resolute defending meant that Kildalkey held out for most of the second half (some of which was delayed due to an injury to a Kilmessan player - thankfully she is ok). However, with two minutes to go, Kilmessan struck for an equaliser to level the game. With no further scores, the final went to extra time. Kilmessan were first to register a score, pointing in the first minute. It was then that Kildalkey showed their mettle. Working the ball down to Jessica, she struck what proved to be the winning goal, the ball dipping under the bar. While Kilmessan battled on, it was to be Kildalkey's day.

All players contributed to the matches and played well over the course of the four matches. Jessica and Hollie shared the goalkeeping responsibilities and proved to be superb shotstoppers. Kayla, Sarah, Amy and Katie defended superbly throughout, conceding very little. Lauren and Hollie were tireless in the middle of the field and got some great score, while up front, Rachelle, Kate and Laura got some great scores and were aided and abetted by Hollie and Jessica also.

Afterwards, a trip to Supermacs was had and we then got the great news that Jessica had been selected to play in Croke Park at an All Ireland semi final in August.

Well done to all the team on this great achievement!!

 The Winning Team

The winning captains with the trophy

Boys Mini 7s Champions!!!

Well done to the Boys Mini 7s team today, 8th April, who won the Mini 7s hurling competition in Meath.

Having beaten Gaelscoil na Bóinne and Rath Cairn yesterday in two closely fought games to get through to the finals, the boys were up against Dangan, Kilskyre and Dunboyne.

First up was Dangan. Playing against a stiff breeze, the boys did very well to counteract the breeze and went in at the break 1-1 to no score. They were then able to use the breeze to post long range points and finish out the game 1-6 to 0-1.

They then played Kilskyre. This time, Kildalkey had the breeze in the first half and utilsed it to their advantage to ensure a healthy half time lead. They closed out the game in the second half to leave the final score 4-2 to no score.

The final was then played against Dunboyne. Playing with the wind, Kildalkey put over some great scores in the first half. However, a fortuitous goal for Dunboyne, along with some great defending by Dunboyne and some unfortunate wides for Kildalkey meant that Kildalkey went in at the break leading only by a goal 1-3 to 1-0. It was then that we saw the real measure of this team. Facing into what seemed like a gale force breeze, they scored a goal straight away from the throw in. Though Dunboyne responded in kind, Kildalkey upped the workrate and won some fantastic ball at midfield and worked some glorious scores. In the end, Kildalkey prevailed on a scoreline of 4-5 to 3-2.

Well done to all the players from Lorcan and Kelvin in goal, to the defence of the two Conors and Gavin. Niall, captain for the day, was a colossus in midfield throughout and was assisted superbly by Lee. Up front, Adam had some great scores in all matches and was aided and abetted by the high fielding Aaron.

Afterwards, Niall was presented with the plaque and a trip to Supermacs was had. Niall was also selected to represent Meath in Croke Park at an All Ireland Hurling Semi Final this year.

Well done to the boys on today's great achievement!

Niall giving his speech!

The Captain with the Plaque

The winning Mini 7s team of 2014