Millstreet Community School were celebrating last week after their golfers finished in second place at the World Schools Golf Championship in Scotland.  The event brought together over 100 golfers from 23 schools across 17 countries and six continents, competing on some of the most iconic courses in the Scotland.

They included Royal Musselburgh, The Musselburgh Golf Club, and finally the world-renowned Fairmont St Andrews, as the stage was set for three days of thrilling international competition.  The team scores are calculated by taking the three best stableford scores from each team for each round. Millstreet Community School scored 335 points to finish in second place.

The golfers for Millstreet were Labhrás O’Dwyer, Ronan Corcoran, Danny O’Riordan, Alan McAuliffe, Cian O’Connor, Mark Hickey, Oisín McCarthy and Rory McCarthy.  The overall winners, Brighton College Al Ain from Abu Dhabi, scored 349 points.

Millstreet CS Principal Pól Ó Síodhcháin was delighted that the golfers finished on the podium.  “This is the second year of the event, we also competed last year and also finished runners-up.  To do so again is very special.  Golf is a regular team sport for the school; we partake in Munster and All-Ireland Schools’ competitions and feature at the top end of the leaderboard regularly.   Last week, in fact, members of the World Championship Team were in action in the Munster Schools in Killarney and Mallow Golf Clubs.”

“I had seen the organisers call for participants.  As a school where golf is a regular team sport, and a school that strives to provide opportunities for all our students, I decided to enter a team in the inaugural event last year.  The experience was such a fantastic one for students and teachers that we returned again this year.”

And the Principal was delighted to see his students perform at the highest level.  “Against such elite opposition, our team demonstrated not only immense skill but also resilience and teamwork of the highest standard. They proudly represented our school and Ireland on the global stage, competing with focus and determination right through to the final round.  Their outstanding performance earned them a world runner-up title — an achievement that places our school firmly among the very best in international schools golf.”

“We are immensely proud of our golfers, whose excellence, sportsmanship, and commitment have brought great honour to our school community, their families and their golf clubs” added Ó Síodhcháin.  This success is a testament to their hard work and dedication, and it will inspire future teams to aim high and dream big.”

“We were delighted to host the team and their Parents in the school on Friday last for a celebratory breakfast!  We gave the team a huge MCS welcome with a Guard of Honour by all students, a fitting tribute.  Thanks to Cronin’s Centra, MIllstreet, for providing such a wonderful spread for us all.”

Mr Ó Síodhcháin also thanked the teachers, Ms. Jennifer O’Donoghue and Ms. Jolanta Radon, who accompanied the team to Scotland.  Ms. Radon who only took up golf this summer, teed off in the Teachers’ section of the competition.

On their return to Cork Airport the team were given a great welcome home late on Thursday night.  Principal, Mr. Ó Síodhcháin, teachers Mr. Magee and Ms. Kelleher, with a group of students and parents gathered to celebrate this fantastic achievement.  Cork Airport their part in the celebrations with the staff at the Airport providing a great welcome and displaying the team photo on the screen in the baggage hall.