We Are Tyrone

competition

  • Former Loreto teacher Christine worth her ‘Weight’ in Gold

    Former Loreto teacher Christine worth her ‘Weight’ in Gold

    A RETIRED Omagh Loreto Grammar school teacher proved she was head of the class at last weekend’s World Masters Weightlifting Championships in Poland, when clinching a gold medal.

    Christine McCann, who worked in the PE department at the Loreto for 32 years, took top spot on the podium while representing Ireland in Wieliczka.

    She was part of the Irish squad that consisted of 18 athletes (15 women and three men) competing in the international event, with ages ranging from 35-80 years old.

    Christine competed in the 55-60 age group, in the 64-kilo weight category. After three successful lifts in each the clean and jerk, and the snatch, she knew she was in with a chance of a medal.

    “The problem was that I couldn’t see the scoreboard, so I had no idea what position I was in. It was probably all the better!” quipped the 56-year-old. “It was nerve-racking, but my coaches just kept me focused on the lifting.”

    In the end, Christine won by lifting a total of 96 kilos; well clear of the French competitor who finished in silver after lifting 91 kilos. “I was jumping around like a lunatic afterward. I’d like to thank everyone for their support.

    “It’s been overwhelming,” she said.

    Christine first took up weightlifting as part of her CrossFit training when she was 48 years old.

    “It’s great to see so many women, particularly older women, weightlifting now,” she said.

    It was a poignant success for Christine, who resides in Irvinestown, as her father Benny, and mother Margaret, both passed away over the past two years.

    “It was quite sad too as daddy died at Christmas and mammy died during Covid, so I was thinking of them both at the time,” she explained.

    “I still can’t believe that I’ve done it. Hopefully, it will inspire more women to take up weightlifting.”

  • Strabane sailors meet for first time at major yacht race

    Strabane sailors meet for first time at major yacht race

    TWO former pupils who attended Strabane Grammar School 22 years apart have met for the first time as crew members on a boat competing in the 50th edition of the world’s largest offshore yacht race.

    John Campbell, formerly from Bowling Green, Strabane, was a pupil at the Tyrone school from 1964 to 1969, while Gareth Russell, formerly from Ardstraw, attended from 1986 to 1993.

    Both men now live in East Yorkshire. John is a retired BT engineer and Gareth is head of Business Development, at Associated British Ports (ABP) on the Humber.

    Despite their connection to the local school, which has since amalgamated with Strabane High School to form Strabane Academy, the pair only met for the first time this month as they prepared to crew the sailing yacht, CatZero, which is taking part in the 2023 Rolex Fastnet Race.

    Beginning in Cowes on the Isle of Wight, the boats sail around the remote Fastnet Rock, off the coast of Ireland, and finish in the French port of Cherbourg, a total of more than 720 nautical miles.

    Based in the city of Hull, the CatZero yacht is run by a charity that gives young and disadvantaged people the opportunity to embrace challenges in their lives through the experience of sailing.

    The entry in the Fastnet Race is a fundraising event for the charity.

  • Sacred Heart teacher wins highest honour at competition in Dublin

    Sacred Heart teacher wins highest honour at competition in Dublin

    AN inspirational Sacred Heart teacher is looking forward to ‘building’ upon her success, having achieved the highest honour in a prestigious Lego competition in Dublin recently.

    It was Arlene Corrigan’s genuine ‘enthusiasm’ that caught the attention of the judges at the national stage of the ‘First Lego League’, and, as such, she was crowned winner of the ‘Top Team Coach/Mentor across the North and South of Ireland’ award.

    What’s more, the team of Lego-loving Year Nine students that Arlene was coaching didn’t do too badly in the competition, either!

    Naming themselves ‘SHC Savers’, the students secured their spot in the national stage in the First Lego League, held in the Crown Plaza Hotel, Dublin, after winning the regional final of the competition in early March.

    In both competitions, the students, under the scrutiny of the judges, constructed and programmed Lego robots to complete various energy-themed ‘missions’ on a large mat, populated with Lego models.

    The objective was to score as many points as possible within the time limit by completing the missions.

    And, despite being under immense pressure, the group of students – Cillian Ellis; Jake Gill; Grace Glackin; Luke McLaughlin; Niamh McAleer; Caoimhe McAteer; Brionne McAteer; Zuzanna Banas; Catherine Gyengyar; and Victoria Gyengyar – displayed great determination, focus and teamwork, and illustrated their programming and presentation skills to the highest of standards throughout.

    The team, accompanied by Arlene Corrigan and SHC Savers, returned from Dublin with an impressive array of medals, as well as an additional trophy to add to their cabinet.

    The national stage of the ‘First Lego League’ competition was streamed live on YouTube, with the SHC Savers Team featuring many times throughout the day’s fun-filled events. So, if you missed it, or were in attendance and wish to relive the day’s events, please visit ‘www.youtube.com/live/ ENnZ4eXk8U8’.

    Concluding, the school expressed their heartfelt thanks to their local team sponsor, EJM Mc Keown Ltd, and to Frank Chism, the TD technician, for all of his assistance and support.

  • Jumping for joy in Ecclesville Centre

    Jumping for joy in Ecclesville Centre

    PARENTS, pupils, teachers and showjumpers converged in Fintona last weekend to raise money for Northern Ireland Chest Heart and Stroke (NICHS).

    Last week, young equestrians from across the country turned out at the Ecclesville Equestrian Centre for an enthralling day of elegant and stylish sport – in what was their 9th Inter-Schools show.

    Organised by Drumragh Integrated College, the showjumping event seen many competitions run for both primary and secondary school riders, with 19 Drumragh riders taking part.

    Reflecting on the day, one of the organisers, Joan Potts said, “It was great to have been involved in another successful show with Drumragh Integrated College.

    “Not only did all the participants seem to have a great day, but they also helped raise money for a charity who have touched the lives of so many of our staff and pupils.

    “Thanks to everyone who donated, took part or helped out on the day in any way at all.

    “We appreciate all the support we received.”

  • Talented Meabh lands trip to Strasbourg in leadership competition

    Talented Meabh lands trip to Strasbourg in leadership competition

    A TALENTED pupil at Loreto Grammar School, Omagh, is to benefit from a ‘life enhancing experience’ as a regional winner in this year’s prestigious Rotary Youth Leadership Development competition.

    Lower sixth form pupil, Meabh Ward, daughter of Michael and Shauna Ward, Omagh, impressed the judges with her leadership qualities and articulate and fluent presentation.

    The 17-year-old’s success came after she topped the Rotary Club of Omagh local heat of the competition and then went on to score further success in the Zone finals held in Enniskillen.

    As a result of Meabh’s success, she will now enjoy all-expenses paid trip to Strasbourg, Belfast and Dublin in the coming months with 23 fellow regional winners from all around Ireland.

    The Youth Leadership Development competition, run by Rotary Ireland, aims to reward young people with clear leadership potential based on extracurricular activities.

    In the Omagh heat of the competition, Meabh was interviewed by local Rotarians John Gilmour and Iris Hanking and Cathy McCaul, president of Omagh Inner Wheel, before going on to further impress the judges in the Zone final.

    Meabh already has a track record of achievements having gained nine A*s in her GCSEs, winning multiple ‘highest achiever’ awards.

    She has also participated in a wide range of extra-curricular activities, including with Riding for the Disabled training volunteers, organising fundraising events for Third World countries, serving as a Young Enterprise director and Community Ambassador.

    team building

    Following the series of interviews, Meabh now becomes part of the team of 24 pupils from all over Ireland to take part in a six day team building experience.

    Omagh Rotary Club president, John Campbell, praised everyone who took part in this year’s competition. He said it would not be possible without the invaluable support which teachers and parents give to pupils.

    Meabh said she cannot wait for the Strasbourg experience.

    “I am incredibly grateful for this fantastic opportunity to travel to Strasbourg and be an Irish representative at Euroscola in the European Parliament. I am thankful for the support and encouragement of Omagh Rotary Club throughout this competition. I can’t wait to embark on this incredible experience next spring.”

    Her mum, Shauna, added that this was a fantastic achievement for Meabh. “Winning this trip to Strasbourg will be a life enhancing experience that she will remember for the rest of her life.

    “Meabh is the best daughter any parent could wish for and we are very proud of her.”

    The Rotary Club of Omagh meets for weekly lunch meetings each Thursday at 1pm in the Silverbirch Hotel, Omagh, and is always keen to attract new members.

  • Omagh girl Katelynn to represent Ireland in beauty pageant

    Omagh girl Katelynn to represent Ireland in beauty pageant

    THE glamorous lights of America will soon be greeting bubbly Katelynn Fernandez from Omagh, as she has been chosen to represent Ireland in the ‘Regency International Pageant’ in Las Vegas next year.

    The enthusiastic 11-year-old, who has dedicated her young life to fighting racism and bullying, was simply ‘delighted’ to receive this honour after winning the ‘Junior Miss Diamond Ireland 2022’ title at the Miss Diamond UK and Ireland finals, which were held at the Morley town hall, Leeds from October 27-29.

    Describing the finals as ‘amazing’, Katelynn, who is currently a student of Christ the King PS, also won the ‘Diamond Style Queen’ and ‘Diamond Personality’ awards at the wonderful weekend, which she said was ‘filled with fun and laughter’.

    The ‘Regency International Pageant’ in Las Vegas will be taking place in July 2023, and Katelynn is looking forward to travelling to the city with the other pageant winners of different ages from across the UK and Ireland.

    Katelynn, who is one of only four winners from Ireland, has been competing in the charity pageants since she was 10, and has won three pageants in the last year alone.

    DARING TO DREAM

    Confidently, she explained that there is more to pageantry than simply ‘going on stage’. Instead, it’s ‘about meeting amazing new people, making friends for life, believing in yourself, and working hard to achieve your dreams’, she said.

    Pageantry is also about ‘supporting each other’, Katelynn added.

    And she believes every person is beautiful. This is why she has dedicated her title to stopping racism and bullying.

    It is her aim to prove that no matter what age you are or what colour or shape you are, you are beautiful, as beauty comes from inside.

    Katelynn is also involved in a road safety awareness campaign, and she has also donated toys and goods and money to various charities.

    She concluded by congratulating all the winners, and says she is looking forward to fulfilling her dream, which is competing in Las Vegas. She also wants to thank the directors of the ‘Diamond’ competition, Tina De Bear and Danni De Bear, for giving her an opportunity to take part in the competition, and all judges for their her.

    Katelynn also expressed thanks to her proud parents, Joy and Jancy, for believing in her, and giving her the confidence and support to walk on the stage.

    If you would like to sponsor Katelynn in the ‘Regency International Pageant’ in Las Vegas, please get in touch with the family.

  • Fly fishing Strabane teens bound for international competition

    Fly fishing Strabane teens bound for international competition

    THREE local teenagers have been selected to represent Ireland at an international fly fishing tournament next year.

    Fintan Carlin (year 13), Lewis Harte and Jacob Griffin (both year 10) are all pupils at Holy Cross College in Strabane and they clinched their places on the Irish Trout Fly Fishing Youth International Team following two previous qualifying events. The lads were already key members of Team Ulster which took part in two qualifiers in April and September in Lough Lene, Co Westmeath.

    Some 30 people participated in these events under what was described as “challenging conditions.” However Lewis, Jacob and Fintan were successful on both occasions and duly qualified for the next step which is the Four Nations Youth International Fly Fishing Competition 2023 in Wales.

    Commenting on the lads’ success, principal at Holy Cross College in Strabane, Ciarán Johnston remarked that the school community couldn’t be prouder.

    “Fintan, Lewis and Jacob are very keen anglers and have enjoyed much success in their sport in the past,” he said on Friday. “This recent achievement is a great recognition of their talent and it’s a source of great pride for the boys, their families and our school that they have been selected to represent Ireland at the Four Nations Competition in Wales in 2023. Everyone at Holy Cross wishes them well.”