Page 46 - The Gonzaga Record 1985
P. 46
front we had a rugby match which, but for the unique skills of Tony Ensor would
have been won by the school. We had cricket and tennis matches in May and we
were reminded why Gonzaga had such a dominant influence on Leinster School
Tennis, in fact we acknowledged for Fr Keane's influence. It was also very
refreshing to see that Gonzaga has restarted cricket and has some very useful
performers. Few would have given the school any chance of beating a past studded
with se!lior players. But in a thrilling match they did.
When referring to sport in Gonzaga it is appropriate that we should offer
congratulations to Gonzaga team that recently won the Leinster Senior Tennis
Cup and the Leinster Schools Golf Trophy. Our congratulations are also due to
David Madigan who played for Ireland in the very successful rugby school-boy
team. Patrick Kenny has joined Anthony Ensor and Barry Bresnihan in being
honoured to play rugby for his country.
We also had a splendid evening in An Chomhdhail. We were entertained, we
were beguiled, we were cut down to size by the brilliance of Gonzaga debating. The
tradition of public speaking is being well and truly maintained by the pupils of
Gonzaga. Charles Lysaght, Esmond Smyth, Frank Callanan.
Feicin McDonagh did a splendid job convincing all but the immediate audience
that the future of Ireland was in good hands.
We did not get to grips with the matter of career guidance but I believe we have
moved towards a formula which would be constructive. It is suggested that early in
the school year we should have a careers bazaar where the various career
opportunities could be investigated. We might also use that day to explore work
experience opportunities.
I was very honoured to be asked to address the Sixth year and had a very frank
discussion about how the Union might develop. Contact with the school captain,
Denis Fahy, and his vice captains, Roger Whelan and Michael Carney was always
productive and enjoyable. It is true to say that most of the final year see the
Gonzaga Union as a useful support function in the turbulent world ahead. I
sincerely hope that we can fulfill our initial promise to those leaving Gonzaga this
year and in the immediate years ahead.
None of our contact with Gonzaga would have been possible if we had not had
the most positive and constructive support from Fr Barber. At all stages his
support for the Union was enthusiastic and encouraging. He also introduced a
delightful combination ot seriousness of purpose and a sense of fun to our
activities. In his representation of the school at Union functions, Fr Barber did a
splendid oratorical job. It can be said that Fr Barber will never go unnoticed in
terms of what he presents to any meeting.
We had some social occasions during the year which I can genuinely say were
enjoyed by those who partook of them. We had a dinner in early May attended by
roughly 110 people. The numbers were significantly down on the memorable
evening of 1983 , but in its own right it was a distinguished night made memorable
by Charles Lysaght's eloquent toast to Gonzaga.
We had two golf outings during the term of office, both skillfully organised by
Billy Harnett, assisted by David Alexander. Both occasions have been blessed with
splendid weather and spectacular competition. The golf outings were also
memorable for the contributions of Fr Keane and Fr Lee. On the first outing they
sang for their suppers; on the second, Fr Keane won a prize and both men
38
have been won by the school. We had cricket and tennis matches in May and we
were reminded why Gonzaga had such a dominant influence on Leinster School
Tennis, in fact we acknowledged for Fr Keane's influence. It was also very
refreshing to see that Gonzaga has restarted cricket and has some very useful
performers. Few would have given the school any chance of beating a past studded
with se!lior players. But in a thrilling match they did.
When referring to sport in Gonzaga it is appropriate that we should offer
congratulations to Gonzaga team that recently won the Leinster Senior Tennis
Cup and the Leinster Schools Golf Trophy. Our congratulations are also due to
David Madigan who played for Ireland in the very successful rugby school-boy
team. Patrick Kenny has joined Anthony Ensor and Barry Bresnihan in being
honoured to play rugby for his country.
We also had a splendid evening in An Chomhdhail. We were entertained, we
were beguiled, we were cut down to size by the brilliance of Gonzaga debating. The
tradition of public speaking is being well and truly maintained by the pupils of
Gonzaga. Charles Lysaght, Esmond Smyth, Frank Callanan.
Feicin McDonagh did a splendid job convincing all but the immediate audience
that the future of Ireland was in good hands.
We did not get to grips with the matter of career guidance but I believe we have
moved towards a formula which would be constructive. It is suggested that early in
the school year we should have a careers bazaar where the various career
opportunities could be investigated. We might also use that day to explore work
experience opportunities.
I was very honoured to be asked to address the Sixth year and had a very frank
discussion about how the Union might develop. Contact with the school captain,
Denis Fahy, and his vice captains, Roger Whelan and Michael Carney was always
productive and enjoyable. It is true to say that most of the final year see the
Gonzaga Union as a useful support function in the turbulent world ahead. I
sincerely hope that we can fulfill our initial promise to those leaving Gonzaga this
year and in the immediate years ahead.
None of our contact with Gonzaga would have been possible if we had not had
the most positive and constructive support from Fr Barber. At all stages his
support for the Union was enthusiastic and encouraging. He also introduced a
delightful combination ot seriousness of purpose and a sense of fun to our
activities. In his representation of the school at Union functions, Fr Barber did a
splendid oratorical job. It can be said that Fr Barber will never go unnoticed in
terms of what he presents to any meeting.
We had some social occasions during the year which I can genuinely say were
enjoyed by those who partook of them. We had a dinner in early May attended by
roughly 110 people. The numbers were significantly down on the memorable
evening of 1983 , but in its own right it was a distinguished night made memorable
by Charles Lysaght's eloquent toast to Gonzaga.
We had two golf outings during the term of office, both skillfully organised by
Billy Harnett, assisted by David Alexander. Both occasions have been blessed with
splendid weather and spectacular competition. The golf outings were also
memorable for the contributions of Fr Keane and Fr Lee. On the first outing they
sang for their suppers; on the second, Fr Keane won a prize and both men
38
