Success for IWA bocce teams

THe local branch of the Irish Wheelchair Association where celebrating this week after their bocce team finished first in the regional bocce finals held in Muirhevnamor Sports Centre.

The IWA sent two teams to the event which sees teams from Dublin, Meath, Navan, Drogheda, Cavan and Ardee compete and both teams made the last four of the competition with Fodad Olawale and Zain Muhamad making it all the way to the semifinals before they were narrowly defeated by Drogheda. Revenge was exacted for them by

Michelle McDonagh, who in the final to pick up their first ever final win in the competition.

The achievement was all the more impressive given the fact the IWA only started practicing bocce just over a year ago. under the watchful eye of their coach Val Smyth the Bocce players have taken to the game like ducks to water and last week they made all the hard work count by storming through their five games to lift the trophy for the first time.

LAST Thursday saw students and teachers from all over County Louth arrive at The Fairways Hotel in Dundalk for the annual Student enterprise Awards. Back in person for the first time since COVID-19, the place was buzzing with energy, excitement and entrepreneurial spirit.

Over 1,170 students from 19 schools across the county participated in this year’s Student enterprise Programme. A collaboration between Local Enterprise Office Louth and local schools, the programme is delivered by Fionnuala Rogers, Francis Verling, and Colm Finnegan. During the programme, students learned how to create a business idea, then start and grow their own business. The highpoint is the county final where students get to present their businesses and future potential to a panel of expert judges.

The Senior category was won by Just Tap, with team members Callum Moore, eoin Carpenter and Sam Sweeney. Students of St. Mary’s College, Dundalk, they are supported by their teachers Aoife Tyrrell, Jack Mceneaney and Ryan McVicar.

Acting Head of enter- st Mary’s college dundalk, senior Winners. prise at Local enterprise Office Louth, Riona McCoy explains “The team in Just Tap used the latest in Near Frequency Communications technology to create smart keyrings. These channel customers to their social media profiles, contact information, or any webpage. This makes it a convenient digital and sustainable alternative to traditional business cards and printed materials. This is a product with great potential for future development and demonstrates a brilliant understanding of both technology and consumer behaviour. Louth, are delighted that Just Tap will represent Louth at the Student enterprise Finals in May.”

Runner-up in the Senior category was won by Barn With It. A clever, creative and sustainable enterprise created by Laura McKevitt of Dundalk Grammar School, with support from her teacher Sharon Browne. Strawsome, the creation of Jack Ivers and James Lavery, supported by their teacher Sharon Browne from Dundalk Grammar School, took first place in the Junior category. They impressed the judges with their homegrown, cut to length, bamboo straws that are sold in a sustainable pack, including a straw cleaner. Winner of the runner-up prize in the Junior category was Oisin’s Turkeys. Founded by Oisin

Hand of Scoil ui Mhuiri Post Primary School, Dunleer, Oisin was supported by his teacher Martina Farrell.

Dearbhla McArdle of St. Vincent’s Secondary School in Dundalk was named winner of the My entrepreneurial Journey Award. Supported by her teacher eimear McCreesh, Dearbhla chronicled what life would be like as a successful entrepreneur in the future and judges were deeply impressed by her writing and she will also proceed to the national competition.

The Junior and Intermediate categories were judged by Lavina McGahon and Graham O’Rourke, while Ronan

Dennedy, Sarah Daly and Claire Cunningham judged the Senior category.

Winners of the Senior, Intermediate and Junior categories will, along with the winner of the My entrepreneurial Journey, will now represent Louth in the Student enterprise Awards national final at Croke Park on May 5th.

Special congratulations also to teacher eimear McCreesh of St. Vincent’s Secondary School, Dundalk who received the enterprise educators Award.

There were also a number of category award winners, recognising the expertise and skills demonstrated by the young entrepreneurs.

The Social Media & Marketing Award was won by QuikScent with team members Adam Sharkey, James Shields, Albert Johnston, Tiernan Hynes, Cillian McCann and their teacher Micheal Carron from Bush Post Primary School.

The Social enterprise Award went to Secondary Success with team members Anna Hickey, Laura Hennessy, Shane Gorman, Laidhan Geraghty and Mischa Rooney with teacher Alan Magee from Ardee Community

School.