On Wednesday 16th May we left Clontibret N.S. at 7am and 2 hours later we were at the Aviva Stadium. We registered and trained on the astro pitch outside the Aviva. We went through the players’ entrance and our name was called out when we walked onto the pitch. We got a picture with Paul O’Connell. We played our 1st match and then got a tour of the dressing rooms. We got sitting on the players seats. We came back to the pitch and played our last two matches. After that the girls had their photo taken with Leah Lyons who plays for the Irish Women’s Team.
All the schools sat together and Paul O’Connell was interviewed and said he was very impressed with our standard of play. Each school got a framed team photo with Paul O’Connell. We really enjoyed our day and were delighted we were picked to go to the Aviva. It was a day we will never forget.
On our way home we stopped at Apple Green and had something to eat. We were tired when we got back to Clontibret but we would not have missed the excitement of our day in the Aviva.
By Luke Lowey

Monaghan GAA goal keeper Rory Beagan came and taught us skills and rules of Gaelic. The skills in Gaelic are useful in many sports. We played mini matches and kerb ball. We also did some training drills. We had great fun with Rory and we hopes he continues to come to Clontibret N.S.
By Evan McCullagh and Jack Cunningham

During December Malcolm our new rugby coach came to the school to teach us rugby skills. On the first week he taught us how to pass and catch. On the second week we played a game where we couldn’t run with the ball and we had to pass the ball and not let the other team get the ball. On the third week we learned more skills ad played the rugby passing game with more difficult rules. The ball had to be thrown below head height. We also played a mini rugby match – girls verses boys. The girls played very well but the boys won by a try. We have enjoyed the rugby and will continue with it in the New Year.

On Monday 23rd October, the Junior Room went for a walk in Mrs. Crawford’s garden. We wore our wellies and coats. We gathered beech and chestnut leaves, conkers and pine cones. We saw the biggest tree in the garden. We went to the apple tree and gathered some apples. Inside we had stewed apples and vegetable soup. They were lovely and it was good on a cold day. We saw her cat and dog. We had a great day at her house.
By Vicky & Holly

At lunch time we play together and enjoy getting outside. We play rounders when 2 classes at a time take turns to play. While one group plays rounders the other may play basketball or Wembly (football game). 3rd and 4th class sometimes like skipping. Tip the can, tag and weddings, where we take turns to have different brides and grooms are also popular. Last week we gathered crab apples for Sandra to make apple jelly. All of these games are team games and it’s good to work as a team.
By Louise & Luke