Wednesday Letter October 22nd

WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS!

Corn Kitterick Final – Hollypark Crowned Champions!
Cumann na mBunscol Dublin, Division 1 Final
Hollypark BNS 3-09 | Oliver Plunketts (Malahide) 2-10

There were scenes of pure joy and celebration in Croke Park as Hollypark BNS captured the prestigious Corn Kitterick title after a thrilling victory over a determined Oliver Plunketts side from Malahide. In a game of immense skill, heart and teamwork, Hollypark emerged triumphant on a scoreline of 3-09 to 2-10.

From the very first whistle, both teams displayed superb football, but it was Hollypark’s goalkeeper, Samuel Radford, who stood tall on the biggest stage, pulling off a string of incredible saves to deny Plunketts time and again. His composure and bravery set the tone for a memorable afternoon.

While Plunketts’ midfield pairing worked tirelessly to gain control, Hollypark’s slick passing and teamwork soon began to shine. Captain Luke Mahon and his midfield partner Luke McMahon were inspirational, and the boys in green and yellow strung together some breathtaking moves, with Ollie Hennessey, Luke Mahon, and Christian Polley all finishing off wonderful team scores. Up front, Ruairí Brennan was in unstoppable form, ending the day with an impressive personal tally of 2-04.

At the back, Darragh McAuliffe, Conor Hanly, and Daniel Cunniffe were rock solid, putting their bodies on the line and winning vital turnovers when it mattered most. Hollypark’s defensive steel and attacking flair reflected the dedication and preparation led by Mr. Mitchell and Mr. Farragher, whose guidance throughout the season has been nothing short of exceptional.

As the game entered its final stages, Thomas Gilmore, Daniel Carney, and Dexter Tubritt battled tirelessly, refusing to let the Malahide side settle. When Tomás Carron struck a crucial goal with twelve minutes remaining, the Hollypark supporters erupted – the Corn Kitterick was heading back to its rightful home!

The relentless energy of Alex Hennessey,Richie Kennedy, Louis Heath, Darragh Fallon, Daniel Dunphy, Sam Tierney, and James McCarthy kept the pressure firmly on Plunketts, while Stephen Rourke once again proved to be a colossus at full back, winning key duels and leading by example. Ollie Hennessey was desperately unlucky not to find the net late on, his powerful shot brilliantly saved by the keeper.

The McKenna twins, John and James, have been outstanding all season, and once again, they showed their battling spirit and determination as Hollypark pushed towards glory. Louis Heath and Ruairí Brennan scored some crucial frees after great team play by Hollypark. After a ten-year wait, Captain Fantastic, Luke Mahon, finally lifted the Corn Kitterick Cup to the delight of the massive travelling Hollypark support, who filled GAA Headquarters with colour, music, and pride. Drums, bodhráns, megaphones, and the sea of green and yellow created a carnival atmosphere fitting for such a historic moment.

This victory was the result of a true team effort – from the 23 players and coaching staff to the parents, club mentors, and the incredible supporters who have backed the boys all year. The celebrations continued back at Hollypark BNS, where the team received a guard of honour, before the festivities moved on to Glenalbyn, the Kilmacud Crokes clubhouse, where the wider community joined in to honour their heroes.

A huge congratulations to everyone involved – and especially to Mr. Mitchell and Mr. Farragher – for guiding this remarkable group of players to Corn Kitterick glory. Hollypark are Dublin Division 1 champions once again!

Parent Survey on Smartphones – Results & Next Steps

Thank you to everyone who took part in our survey about smartphone use among primary school children. We received 261 responses in total.
Smartphone Ownership & Proposed Voluntary Code
The overwhelming majority of parents felt that primary-aged children should not own their own smartphones.  Many parents expressed interest in being part of a Voluntary Code around smartphone use. A smaller number were undecided and would like more information before committing.

Concerns about the Voluntary Code

Parents mainly expressed:

• Fairness & consistency – worry that not all families would follow the code.
• Need for clarity – some parents said they need more information before deciding.
• Positive views – several respondents saw it as a welcome and positive step.

Suggested Supports for Families

Parents highlighted practical ways the Parents’ Association could help, including:

• Information sessions – guest speakers, workshops, or parent talks about online safety.
• Practical resources – links to trusted websites, guides, or take-home packs.
• Teacher involvement – regular classroom discussions with children about safe online use.
• Awareness-raising – presentations or talks outlining risks associated with smartphones and social media.

Next Steps

Based on your feedback, the Parents’ Association will:

• Share more details about the Voluntary Code in the coming weeks and how you can get involved.
• Organise guest speakers to discuss online safety – the first of which took place last Wednesday, 15^th October.
• Please also see some links to trusted resources for parents: 

CyberSafeKids (https://www.cybersafekids.ie/about-us/) – a trusted advocate for online safety, empowering children, parents and educators to navigate the internet safely and confidently.

Common Sense Media (https://www.commonsensemedia.org/) - a world of resources and recommendations about apps, games, TV show and movies and much more: 

Webwise (https://www.webwise.ie/) – Irish government-funded website offering free advice and resources for parents.

Thank you for your participation in our survey.
Hollypark BNS Parents’ Association

Your Kids Online: What’s Really Going On

A huge thank you to Eoghan Cleary and Alex Cooney, who presented the talk Your Kids Online: What’s Really Going On last Wednesday evening.  We had an excellent turnout, with the hall full of parents.  It was an informative and enlightening talk that highlighted the importance of teaching our children how to be safe online. Eoghan and Alex gave us great practical advice on how we can protect our children in this unprecedented digital age.

THIS WEEK'S ADVERTISEMENTS