OsKaRs Extravaganza for CBS Mitchelstown
Last Saturday night, the 11th February, saw a wide host of locals, staff members and the wider school community descend on Mitchelstown Leisure Centre, in what can only be described as the epitome of style! Glad rags were a plenty as over 500 people came together to see the pinnacle of the CBS Secondary School’s large fundraiser: A Night at the OsKaRs. The red carpet was laid and Prosecco was flowing as the six movies were played, for the first time, and recipients of the OsKaRs were given their respective accolades.
This huge fundraiser was commenced in the autumn of 2019, with the event to take place in the spring of 2020, but as we all know, Covid put a stop in the tracks of all events that year so it was postponed. With restrictions still in place for the academic years 2020/2021 and 2021/2022, the organising committee were delighted to have been in a position to resume the event this school year, and were delighted to once again work with Kevin Rowe Events, who facilitated scripts, casting, acting tutelage, filming and the fantastic awards night that took place last Saturday. However, it was the driving force of the committee that really made the event come together, with individuals from the Parents’ Council to the fore, in collaboration with Mary Hannon, principal of the school, and teacher, Sinéad Ryan.
There were six movies involved, each given the task of not only acting in the movies. However, there was also some local fundraising, including a table quiz and an 80s/90s night. This in itself was a great way for the community to come together, often bringing a bit of respite to a cold winter’s evening! The movies were then shot at various local locations with volunteer actors from both Mitchelstown and the surrounding area. Filming like this is no easy feat, but the professionalism of both Kevin Rowe Events and the actors made it possible.
This fundraising event reached its pinnacle last Saturday night with the awards night, and what a night it was! The movies were incredibly well received and the awards well deserved, with the OsKaRs winners being: Best dramatic moment went to Bull McCabe monologue (Paul Finn), with best visual going to Braveheart. Best comedy moment then went to Waking Ned Devine (Seanie Crotty), with best supporting actors going to Bo Cahill (Waking Ned) and Olive Kenneally (Sister Act).Best female actor was Carmel Quirke (Fawlty Towers) and best male actor was Tom O’Donoghue (Fr. Ted). Finally, best film(as voted by the audience) was Sister Act. With the awards finalised, the after party took place, which evidently was just as exciting as the main event! The reaction from the night was overwhelmingly positive and the school is very proud of the event. To this end, huge thanks must be given to the Parents’ Council, CBS staff, actors from the wider community, local sponsors and especially to Kevin Rowe Events. This was an incredibly successful collaborative event with a spokesperson from the school stating that not only were they thankful but also in awe of the level of organisation and talent of those who brought it from conception to realisation. The school would like to thank all who supported this amazing fundraiser.
Munster double narrowly eludes CBS
The dream double proved to be just one step too far as Mitchelstown CBS lost narrowly to Abbey CBS in the Munster Senior B football final on Saturday last on a scoreline of 2-08 to 0-11.
In a game played in ideal weather conditions in Kilmallock, the Abbey were quickest out of the block in terms of possession but were guilty of missing the chances they worked. Mitchelstown CBS were first on the scoreboard, a point from Darragh O’Brien against the run of play. Abbey replied almost immediately and continued to dominate possession and scoring chances. Their running style was creating problems and the CBS defence was under significant pressure. A good block by Declan Moriarty prevented a potential goal chance, and CBS were aided also by poor shooting by their opponents. For all of their efforts in the first quarter, the Abbey added just a solitary point from play and led by 2 points to 1 at the 15 minute mark.
There were signs of better things to come for CBS just after, when good interplay involving Charlie English, Ben Carey and Kevin Cotter led to a foul by the Abbey defence and Darragh O’Brien pointed the resultant free. The same player added another from play soon after to put CBS ahead by 3 points to 2. The Abbey replied with 2 pointed frees in quick succession to put them ahead by 4 points to 3. CBS, while not playing as they are capable, were certainly showing improvement with Ben Carey particularly impressive at midfield. The Abbey eventually gained just reward for their earlier pressure though, winning breaking ball from a kickout and running through, giving CBS keeper Callum Burke no chance in sending the ball to the net. The CBS reply was immediate, with good play by Luke Keating leading to a free which Darragh O’Brien pointed. Both sides were guilty of missing chances before CBS added a further pointed free courtesy of Darragh O’Brien following good work by Charlie English and Kevin Cotter. This was to be the last score of the half, leaving the Abbey ahead by 2, 1-04 to 0-05. In truth, CBS would have been happy to be just 2 down, having played well below their own capabilities and given the chances missed by their opponents.
The second half began on a much brighter note for CBS right from the throw-in, with Paddy English and Ben Carey combining well before the latter was fouled and Darragh O’Brien was again successful from the free. Ben Carey was involved again shortly after, this time setting up Cathal Walsh for a fine score from play and leaving the teams level on a score of 1-04 to 0-07. Charlie English and Jamie Fogarty combined to prevent an Abbey reply before Cathal Walsh, having soloed his way through from his own 45 right to the 21, fisted the ball over to put CBS ahead by 1 after 8 minutes of the second half. For the first time in the game CBS had periods of dominating possession, though like their opponents earlier they also missed opportunities to make that possession count on the scoreboard. The marauding runs of Cathal Walsh, returning from injury to his wing back position, were a feature of the half for CBS. The threats from the Abbey forward line were limited, and any of them were ably dealt with by CBS full back Jamie Fogarty who was superb throughout. On 16 minutes Darragh O’Brien added another free, but again CBS failed to build on their domination and missed a number of scoring chances.
The game turned on 23 minutes with the Abbey’s first score of the second half. A quick break saw them breach the CBS defence, player was brought down and a penalty awarded. This was well dispatched and, completely against the run of play for the second half, the Abbey now led by 2-04 to 0-09. The CBS reply was quick, yet another free from Darragh O’Brien following good play by Luke Keating and Charlie English. Another counterattack from the Abbey and their goal-bound shot was deflected over for a point by Callum Burke. A further Abbey point from play put them 2 points up, with 28 minutes gone. A fine break by Diarmuid O’Brien was abruptly ended by the Abbey defender who pulled him down, resulting in a black card. Cathal Walsh added his third point from play to leave the minimum between the sides with time up. It was not to be for CBS however; the Abbey added the final 2 points from frees as CBS pushed forward in search of the scores they needed. Three points was the difference in the end, the Abbey winning by 2-08 to 0-11. The double was not to be for Mitchelstown CBS, but each of the players can be proud of their achievements through the campaign.
Team: Callum Burke, Cian O’Brien, Jamie Fogarty, Declan Moriarty, Diarmuid O’Brien, Charlie English, Jack McNamara, Ben Carey, Cathal English, Shane Looney, Darragh O’Brien, Paddy English, Colin McNamara, Luke Keating, Kevin Cotter. Subs used: Cathal Walsh, Cian Ryan, Matthew Fitzgibbon.