Well done to the Junior Firsts who performed well in their win against Wesley College at home on Wednesday 30th November. They won by 40-15 and are now through to the Semi Final of the Leinster League. This will be played next Wednesday 7th December against Gonzaga. The neutral venue will be announced shortly.

The Seniors lost their Quarter Final match to Roscrea at home by 13-3 on the same day. The Cup draw will be next Monday 5th December. The Seniors will also travel to Portugal for a training camp from 2nd – 8th January 2012 before beginning their Cup run.

 Finally, a big thank you to Anne Brown and Anne Marie Lynch who provided a bbq, tea and coffee for all supporters during the Quarter Finals in CBC.

Trinity College and the Dublin Institute of Technology will be holding their annual Open Days this Friday the 2^nd, and Saturday the 3^rd of December. Relevant information regarding the open days will be given to every student prior to the weekend, but we must reiterate that we strongly encourage students attend these open days on Saturday and not Friday, as classes will continue as normal on Friday and attendance is crucial at this point in the Leaving Certificate year.

Leinster League 1/4 Finals

Senior Firsts v Roscrea. Kick off  2:30

Junior Firsts v Wesley kick off 2:30

Both Home matches

No Away matches

Training for other teams

Saturday 3rd December

U-13s v St Mary’s (3 games). Kick off at 11

U-14s v Blackrock (3 games).Kick off at 12:15

From tomorrow there is a sale on all items in Uniformity of school uniforms and rugby gear. The sale goes on to Dec 21st 2011.

Senior rugby Squad are organising a Car Wash (€5) plus barbeque this Sat. morning to aid their upcoming trip to Portugal. They will be in the lower car park from 9.00am to 3.00 pm. All donations are very much appreciated.

Both the Senior Firsts and Junior Firsts are through to the Quarter Finals of the Leinster League after their wins yesterday against St. Andrew’s. The Seniors won 24-6 while the Juniors won 26-12. Both teams finished as runners-up in their group.

The Quarter Finals will be played next Wednesday 30th November in CBC at 2:30. The Seniors will play Cistercian Roscrea while the Juniors will play Wesley College on the Senior and Junior pitches respectively. This will be a great afternoon of rugby for the school and all support will be welcome.

The success of both teams in their Leagues also confirms that the Seniors and Juniors will be in the Senior and Junior Cups 2012. The draw for these will be held in Lansdowne Road on 5th December at 6pm.

Our Transition Year Team have qualified yesterday also for the Semi-final of the U-16 League beating Belvedere 32 -  0. Our Transition Year B team won yesterday also beating Belvedere.

More details to follow in relation to the draws.

Wednesday 23rd November

Home

Junior Firsts v St. Andrew’s (League). Kick off at 2:30

 U14s A & C v Newbridge. Kick off at 2:30. Confirmed

Transition Year v Belvedere College (2 games) (Leagues)

Matches take place in Seapoint RFC. Kick off at 2:30. Bus at 1:20

Players make own way home after the matches

Away

Senior Firsts v St. Andrew’s (League). Kick off at 2:30. Bus at 1pm

Players make own way home after the match

U13s v Willow Park (4 games). Kick off at 3pm

Players make own way to and from grounds (DART or No. 7 bus from Monkstown)

Saturday 26th November

Home

 U14s v St. Mary’s (3 games). Kick off at 11:15

TY Seconds v Clongowes (League). Kick off at 2:45

Away

U13s v CUS (3 games).Kick off at 11:30. Bus at 10am. Returns at 1:15 approximately

Saturday 26th November

Junior Seconds v St. Michael’s . Home. Kick off at 12:15

 Junior Thirds v St. Michael’s. Home. Kick off at 12:15

The annual school concert, in aid of the Zambian Immersion Project, will be held this Friday 25th of November, from 7pm – 10pm. Doors open at 6:30pm. It will be a great night, with students and past pupils of the school showcasing their talents! There will be a tuck shop on the night. All welcome and support from parents, students and friends will be much appreciated for this worthy cause. Tickets are available now from Michael Brown and the reception desk, priced at €5 for students / €10 for adults, but can also be bought at the door on the night.

Annual Advent Collection 2011

As we near the Christmas period, we ask all students and families please dig deep in order to fill as many hampers as we can for those in the community of Cherry Orchard and for the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. Over the last number of years our Transition Year students have ventured out to the Early School Leavers Life Centre in Cherry Orchard to work with the young men who have fallen out of the schooling system in their community. In keeping up with our link and in promoting the ethos and message of Christmas, we are urging families to help donate quality non-perishable food, new clothing, vouchers or toys that can be included in our hampers. To help the smooth running of collections this year, each tutor class have an assigned item to collect, so check in with your tutors and take note! All donations to be handed into the Chaplains Office.

Staying with the theme of Advent, we are also happy to announce that we will be having our annual Advent Service in the school hall on Wednesday 7^th December 2011 from 7.30pm – 8.30pm. All are welcome to join us on this festive night of carols, readings and a very special reflection from Ger Brennan of this year’s Senior GAA Football Team. Tea/Coffee and seasonal nibbles will be served afterwards.

We hope to see you there,     

The Pastoral Team.

This  match  vs  St.Gerards  was  an  important  match  for  the  Senior  team as  they  attempted  to  maintain  an  upwards  performance  curve. CBC  started  very  strongly  and  went  close  to  tries  as  a  maul  progressed  to  within  inches  of  the  line  and  they were  tantalising  close through  backline  breaks on  two  other  occasions. While the  tries  didn’t  come  the  pressure  did  result  in  two  penalties  to  Mark  Rogers. CBC  continued  to  press  and  were  rewarded  with  a  well  worked  try  which  ended  with Dan  Jordan  ghosting  through  to  put  down  to  the  left  of  the posts.  The  try  was  converted  by  Mark Rogers. A  half time lead  of  13-0  was  nearly  increased  shortly  thereafter  as  again  backs  and  forwards  went  close  to  scoring  on  another  number  of  occasions. However  the  points  didn’t  come  and  St.Gerards  gained  a  foothold  in  the  game. Despite  great  defence  and  opportunities  to  again  assert  their  superiority  CBC  were  to  concede   a  penalty , to  be  shortly  followed  by  a  try.  At  13-8  and  down  briefly  to  14  men  a  tense  finish  was  in store  for  CBC.  However  it  was  a great  credit  to  the  team  that  they  held  firm  and  were  able  to  finish  the  game  camped  in  the  opposition half. 

The  last  league  match  next  Wednesday  vs  St.Andrews  is  another  of  real  significance  as  the  side  endeavour  to  ensure  a   position  not  only  in  the  League  quarter  finals  but  direct  entry  into  the  main  cup  draw.