New Pres teacher, Mary O’Connell, hopes to inspire Kilkenny camogie stars of the future in her role as PE teacher

Camogie ace, Mary O’Connell, is back at her Alma Mater this week, inspiring a whole new generation of players as the countdown to Sunday’s All-Ireland clash with Galway continues.

The Clara native is starting into her first full year as a PE and Biology teacher and is hoping that it will also be a good year on the field of play for her camogie team-mates after the bitter disappointment of recent finals.

“I'm a past pupil of the Presentation and this is my first year back here teaching PE and Biology.   I'm very lucky to be back here teaching in the Presentation. It's an excellent school with both excellent students and staff which makes it easy for me to settle back in on the flip side to being a student here once.

“Presentation is and always has being renowned for its extra-curricular activities and success in sporting activities and coming in as a PE teacher is great. I can't wait to get involved and help out where I can with the various teams.

“We won the Schools All-Ireland Camogie when I was in sixth year here with Mary McGrath, Jenny Reddy, John Dooley and Pat Ryan so I'm excited to start working with them and hopefully we can have similar success in the near future.”

It’s been a busy start to an even busier term for Mary and she’s really looking forward to Sunday’s game.

“Who doesn't look forward to All-Ireland day.  It's great to be involved in something so special, especially with the great bunch of girls that we have on the panel. The main thing at this stage is just to stay focused and go out and enjoy it on the day.”

Principal, Shane Hallahan, said all the staff is delighted to have a past student back teaching in the school.  “It’s fantastic to have a person of Mary’s calibre on the staff. She was exemplary in the classroom and on the pitch as a student and we in the school have the upmost confidence in her as she begins a new chapter in her life as a professional. We all wish her and the team all the best on Sunday.”

Schools coach, Mary McGrath said: “Mary was a fantastic player during her school years in the Presentation. Her commitment and determination every time she stepped onto the pitch was unbelievable. She achieved top scorer and senior player of the year in 6th year going on to win her Senior A Colleges All Ireland for the school. We wish Mary and All her team mates the very best of luck on Sunday.   

“The excitement of having our senior Camoige girls back in an All Ireland again is unbelievable. These girls have suffered huge heartbreak over the last couple of years, being so narrowly defeated. The girls have bounced back stronger and more determined and it will take a lot to stop them from bringing the O Duffy cup Back to Kilkenny. Galway are a very young side and play a nice style of Camoige but on the day our Kilkenny girls have that bit more experience which hopefully will get them over the line. We’re all hoping it’s third time lucky and wish the best of luck to all the players and management,” Ms McGrath concluded.

It’s a busy start to the new term for all at Presentation Secondary School as plans progress on the brand new school and the entire staff prepare for the school’s open night on Thursday, September 26.