All About Cork: Nagle College on the ball as they reach soccer final

Let it grow for ‘No Mow May’ to support local wildlife

Members of the local community are being urged to ditch their lawnmowers this month to help promote and increase biodiversity in the area.

Mahon Tidy Towns has urged members of the community to take part in 'No Mow May'- an annual campaign asking people to put away the lawnmower during the month of May to help native wildlife.

Native Irish wildflowers like dandelions, clover, and birds-foot trefoil provide the best source of pollen and nectar for wild pollinators. 

By mowing less, they are given a chance to appear naturally, with no need for seeds.

In a statement, Mahon Tidy Towns encouraged the community to get involved.

“In Ireland, we have 100 bee species - one honeybee, 21 bumblebees, and 78 solitary bee species.

“Mowing your lawn once a year for a long flowering meadow, or on a six week cycle for a short flowering meadow can provide much needed food and shelter for bees and other pollinators.

“And there is no need to purchase any wildflower seeds, simply letting it grow will result in plenty of native wildflowers, increasing year on year,” the group explained.

“If you're not ready to give your full lawn over to meadow growing, you could cut paths through the longer grass, grow a combination of long flowering and short flowering meadow, leave a strip of grass along the edge or get creative and mow spirals or crescent moon shapes into your lawn.

“It is really important to remove clippings after each cut,” the group added.

“Wildflowers grow best in infertile soil. Removing clippings will help to reduce soil fertility so that wildflowers can compete with grasses.

See https://pollinators.ie/.

€1,000 raised for charity

A Mahon-based charity has praised a Cork secondary school after students and staff raised almost €1,000 for its work.

The Rainbow Club supports around 1,300 children, teenagers and young people with autism, and their families, every week.

To mark Autism Awareness Week recently, St Coleman’s Community College, Midleton, held a fundraiser for the Rainbow Club, raising €900 for the charity.

In a statement, the Rainbow Club said:

“Huge thanks to all the students and staff at St Coleman’s Community College, Midleton, who raised €900 for Rainbow Club during their Autism Awareness Week.

“We are so grateful to everyone for this support.”

Nagle girls reach soccer final

Students from Nagle Community College are celebrating after reaching the final of the Cork Junior Girls Soccer League.

Nagle’s under-17 side beat their Crosshaven counterparts last week in a tense affair which ended 2-1.

In a statement, the secondary school praised its students for a “hard-fought” victory, amid intense pressure from Crosshaven, particularly as the clock ticked down.

“Nagle Community College Girls U17 Soccer Team defeated Crosshaven this morning in the semi-final of the Cork Junior Girls League,” the school said.

“In sweltering conditions, the victory was hard fought. The girls will face Buttevant in the final of the competition!

“Well done to Mr Cottter and Ms O’Mahony Aspell for their work with the team.”

Annual fun/sports day at Nagle Community College

Nagle Community College hosted its annual fun/sports day last week, giving students a chance to relax as we come towards the end of a busy school year.

The school said: “We held our annual fun/sports afternoon on our school grounds today.

“Soccer, basketball, high jump, frisbee, darts, tug of war, sprints, three-legged races, egg-and-spoon races, penalty shoot-outs, karaoke, and of course, music, hot dogs and ice-cream for everyone!

“Well done to all the students who participated.

“Thanks to Mr McGrath and Mr Kelly for organising the sporting activities with the support of all staff!

“Thanks to Ms O’Neill, Ms Turner, and Ms Long for serving up delicious treats!

“Great to see students from first to sixth year making wonderful memories with their friends. A great, fun afternoon!”

Clay workshops for parents and guardians at school

Ursuline College Blackrock has an opportunity for parents and guardians to take part in clay workshops at the local secondary school.

The school said: “We are organising a beginners’ clay workshop for the parents and guardians of our school community.

“The workshop will take place on Thursday, May 9 and 16, from 9am to 10.30am at Ursuline College, Blackrock.

“This workshop is perfect for beginners, and everyone is welcome to attend.

“To sign up, please email Muireann Kelleher at hscl@urscorkb.com.

“Spaces are limited, and a waiting list may be necessary,” the school added.

“For additional details, you can also call 0861704670.”

Ringmahon thank supporters after FAI Cup defeat

Ringmahon Rangers has thanked the clubs’ supporters for their support.

Ringmahon narrowly missed out on FAI Cup glory, losing after extra-time in a gripping FAI Intermediate Cup decider with Glebe North on April 28.

A large contingent of Ringmahon supporters wished the team luck outside the Red Cove Inn as they departed for the final.

Many also made the journey to Weavers Park, in Drogheda, to support their team and, despite the loss, supporters were waiting for them when they arrived home on Sunday evening.

Ringmahon Rangers said: “We would just like to say thank you to everyone that supported us on our amazing journey.

“The amount of Ringmahon Rangers supporters that travelled up four hours up the road was immense.

“The scenes outside the Red Cove for when the team departed and for when they arrived back last night will live long in the memory of a lot of people.

“What a club, what a community, what a parish. To the players, thank you so much for everything you have done,” the club added.