Football
2016 saw the boys’ team making it through to the Cumann na mBunscol football final. The journey to the final began with a four school blitz which took place on a wet, blustery day at Oran GAA grounds in Rockfield. Despite taking a while to get going, Roxboro earned hard fought victories over Gaelscoil de hÍde Ros Comáin, Glanduff N.S., Knockroghery N.S and Clonfad N.S.
From there Roxboro progressed to the county semi-final where they met Croghan N.S. Following a great game of football, Roxboro qualified for the county final for the second year in a row. Strokestown, whom Roxboro defeated in the previous year’s final, lay in wait.
On another wet evening, at St Faithleach’s GAA grounds at Ballyleague, the boys never really got going and were defeated by a well-drilled Strokestown team. Roxboro never lost spirit and battled valiantly to the end.
Last year’s boys’ football team commenced their preparations in early spring. Competitive action began in the form of a blitz day, at Roscommon Gaels G.A.A grounds in Lisnamult. On the day itself, Roxboro played 5 teams; Knockroghery N.S, Gaelscoil de hÍde, Cloonfad N.S, Whitehall N.S and Glanduff N.S. We managed to earn two victories and a draw. However, we suffered defeat in our other two games and unfortunately were eliminated from the competition. Roxboro only played it’s best football in patches but the experience of such competition will stand our younger players in good stead for the future. We look forward with anticipation to another year of football in 2018.
The boys have brought home the title in 2001, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2015 and will be hoping to add to this collection in the coming year.
The girls had a fantastic year in 2016 by winning the Cumann na mBunscol county title and remained undefeated throughout the year. In the earlier rounds of the competition they had victories over Gaelscoil de hÍde, Glanduff N.S., Clonfad N.S. and Knockcroghery N.S..
This set them up for a semi-final against great rivals and friends, Abbeycartron N.S., Elphin where they emerged victorious after a great game. Croghan N.S. were the opposition in the final and this was a tremendously skillful game of football played in very poor weather conditions in Ballyleague. There were great scenes of jubilation when the final whistle was blown and the girls were rewarded for all their effort and training.
This victory in 2016 adds to previous titles in 2000, 2005 and 2011.
Last year’s girls’ football team started training early in Spring. Over 30 footballers from 3rd to 6th classes took to the pitch every Wednesday after school and their hard work saw them develop into a really high calibre team ready for competition by the summer. The girls’ competition began with a blitz day in Listnamult where the team finished in second place following some excellent performances by our new young team members and by the older girls in 6th class. We then faced Croghan in the county semi final which we played in Oran. The girls showed great determination and fighting spirit to pull away with a victory in the second half. We were through to our second county final in two years. The team headed for Ballyleague to face Cloonfad in the final. We had already played and had been beaten by this team on the day of the blitz so we knew that the girls would need to play out of their skins from the throw in to get a win. Unfortunately for us this wasn’t to be our year. Cloonfad out-scored us in the first half and despite the girls digging deep and playing some tremendous football in the second half the gap was too wide and Cloonfad went home with the silverware. The school are incredibly proud of this excellent bunch of players and we hope that those of them who have left for secondary school continue to play and enjoy Gaelic football. We are also looking forward to getting the rest of our team and some new third class recruits back out onto the training pitch come Spring. A big thank you must go out to all the parents who showed such great support for the children all year. We appreciate it.
Soccer
The primary school soccer season culminated with both the Roxboro boys’ and girls’ teams qualifying for the large schools county soccer finals which took place on Tuesday the 22nd of June. The finals were played in a blitz format at Donamon Castle.
The boys’s teams were a little unlucky throughout the day and were on the wrong end of a number of tight score lines. The girls, who were much more prolific in front of goal, completed the soccer and Gaelic football double, after qualifying from their group.
A hugely enjoyable day for all was made even more enjoyable with both squads enjoying post-match refreshments in Cuisle Day Centre.
Cross Country
Early in the school year, Roxboro N.S students participate in cross country trials. Children who qualify attend the cross country championships.
The course provides a great challenge for all athletes and it is a most enjoyable day for all involved. Here are two our Connaught finalists. Well done everyone!
Other Sports
All our children get swimming lessons from 1st to 6th class and some play handball, camogie and hurling. We always encourage an interest in all sports because we see huge benefits from involvement