Past students from Wicklow and Waterford also in attendance
Good Counsel College class of 1999 reunion. From left; Jamie Cullen from Ballylane, Willie White from Ballycullane, Edward Galavan from Bree, Philip Gleeson from Arklow and Ciarán Hyland from Arklow. Photo; Mary Browne
Good Counsel College class of 1999 reunion. From left; Albert Kehoe from Horeswood and Dylan Flood from Sydney, Australia. Photo; Mary Browne
Good Counsel College class of 1999 reunion. From left; Conor Conway from Mullinavat and Martin Kenneally from Mullinavat. Photo; Mary Browne
Memories of an exciting and momentous 1999 came flooding back for past Good Counsel College students at a 25-year reunion.
The school’s big All Ireland football win that year was also celebrated at the event, which drew a crowd of past pupils from near and as far away as Sydney.
Most of the players in the 1999 team were also in 6th Year that year, but some of their school teammates from the previous year who played in that epic final in Croke Park, also attended.
The football team gathered early and perused memories from that year, while a video of the final played in one of the classrooms.
Organised by William White, deputy principal at St Peter’s College, along with school representatives, the reunion was a fantastic success.
Photos and memorabilia from the class of 1999 were displayed in the main hall and the former students were given a brief tour of the €4m new extension, which will see all of the old prefabs torn down and replaced with state-of-the-art, energy efficient classrooms.
There was a short visit to the church where four students from the class of 1999, who have sadly passed away: Kevin Banville, Keith Madigan, Padraig Walsh and James Doran were recalled with affection.
As the millennium was about to turn, the school had boarders and some of them – who hailed from Waterford and Arklow among other places – attended, sparking memories of all the time they spent there.
Deputy principal Aidan O’Brien said: “We had some of the lads abroad but luckily one of them was back from Sydney for a family occasion so he made it. We reminisced about different stories from their time here at the school and part of that was recalling all the football matches and teachers.”
Recently retired teacher Kevin Kehoe and Mr O’Brien spoke at the event as they were involved with the All Ireland winning team.
Hot finger food and refreshments were enjoyed at this – the former students’ first reunion since leaving the school that year.
Among the group were two current Good Counsel College teachers, History and Religion teacher Conor Conway and Gaeilge, Spanish teacher, Nicholas Flynn.
