Our photo shows : Professor Peter Gillen (left) and School Principal David Madden (right) with some of the Leaving Cert Students who achieved over 500 points in the Leaving Cert 2013. They include (back row) Emmet Murphy, Seán Mc Connell, James Carolan, Daniel Nelis (overall winner), and (front row) Ross Murphy , Mark Hoey, Sean Doherty and David Coffey. Students who have achieved success in the academic, sporting, extra curricular and community arenas were all honoured at the Peadar Mc Cann Awards Evening which was held in the school on Monday 19 May last. The awards date back to 1958, when they were first established by the school’s Past Pupils’ Union in honour of their beloved Irish, History and French teacher Peadar Mc Cann. Past Pupil Professor Peter Gillen of the RCSI and Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital (who received the Peadar Mc Cann Award himself in 1973) along with well-known sports player and past pupil David Bracken were guests of honour on the evening. Eighty awards in all were presented in various categories. Among the award winners were: Daniel Nelis, best Leaving Cert Student 2013 and Jordie Myers, best Junior Cert Student 2013. Gold Medals for academic excellence in the State Examinations were also presented to: James Carolan, David Coffey, Sean Doherty, Mark Hoey, Sean Mc Connell, PJ McGrane, Emmet Murphy, Ross Murphy, Michael Ryan and Tommy Dennis. The Jim Mooney Memorial Medal for English was presented to Cathal Thornton by Jim’s wife Bernie. Stephen Paclibar from 6th Year was the proud winner of the Peadar Mc Cann Award for Creative Arts, while Niall Connor received the PPU President’s Award. The Jim Hanlon Civic Award for Service to the Community was presented by Jim Hanlon’s sister Vera to Luke Callaghan from Fifth Year. The Paddy Hallinan trophy for the most promising young Gaelic player was awarded to First Year student, Daire Nally, while Fifth Year student Robert Sullivan, who plays for the Ireland under 18 basketball team, won the coveted Br Hunt Sports Star of the Year award. Other awards were presented to students for academic excellence and determination to succeed, while awards were also given to the best junior and senior player in each sport. The last year has been a great year for St Joseph’s in sport with the Under 14s winning the O’ Moore Cup in Gaelic, the Under 16s winning the Louth, Leinster and North Leinster Gaelic Championships and the Under 16 Basketball team winning the All-Ireland title.