Past pupils return to St John the Baptist school in Cashel with the cups!

St John the Baptist Girls’ school along with the Boys’ school honoured the wonderful achievements of the Tipperary Camogie team who recently won the Minor Camogie All-Ireland final in style at Nowlan Park in Kilkenny this year.

The atmosphere was electric as Anna O’Brien, Hannah Butler and Emer Dwan along with manager John Ryan and coach John Hadnett brought in the Munster and All-Ireland trophies to the schools on Old Road in Cashel where the students sang their hearts out and really appreciated the achievements of the local trio.

Anna O’Brien, a past pupil of John the Baptist Girls’ school, spoke of how it was a great honour to bring the cup back to the school and Hannah Butler, another key player on the Tipperary team, spoke of their season and the effort that was put in.
Mrs Andrews, the Principal of the girl school hosted the event along with Will Ryan the Principal of the Boys’ school.

Mrs Andrews paid tribute to the team and their management saying “it is a remarkable achievement and we are all very proud of you!”

Mr Ryan spoke of the commitment needed to achieve any type of success and said he hoped such wins would inspire the next generation.

Anna, Emer and Hannah were asked a series of questions by the boys and girls, about their season, training habits and what motivates them to show up for training every week.

The students led the singing of some apt tunes finishing up with the perfect pitch as ‘Slievenamon’ rang out with blue and gold colours on show.

Upperchurch native and All-Ireland winning manager John Ryan said that his players gave a massive commitment and their efforts paid off with fantastic performances across the season telling the students present that “your day will come too to represent your school, club and county,”  he said.

“I hope you go on to achieve your dreams in whatever field that may be,” and he advised them to listen to their teachers and coaches and make the best of their talents.

Overall the day was a wonderful celebration of the great achievement.

The school also paid tribute to their own students successes on the playing fields in recent months, with the Cashel girls that won the recent Under 11 county final acknowledged along with the camogie Under 14 players as well as the boys school players who played in Semple Stadium on Cumann na mBunscol final day. A day to remember for all.