ST Patrick’s College, Maghera are scheduled to meet St Killian’s College, Garron Tower in the Ulster Schools camogie Senior final at the Queen’s University Dub arena on Saturday, January 11 at 11.00am.
And a more interested spectator than most will be St Patrick’s teacher Ciara Mulholland.
A promotion at the school has meant Ciara taking a step back from coaching the senior team who she took to an All Ireland final and semi-final in previous years.
But Ciara, who still looks after the school U14 camogs, will be urging the current senior age group to add their own proud chapter to the school’s record of achievement by bringing home the Corn Uan Uladh trophy.
“St Killian’s will be formidable opponents but I’d say we have a strong chance,” ventures quietly confident Ciara, herself an Ulster Intermediate title winner in camogie and ladies football with her Watty Grahams, Glen club.
Ciara was also recently honoured with a special award for teaching and featured on national TV.
Ciara, who only qualified as a teacher two and a half years ago, was recognised as the Pearson National Teaching Winner of the Outstanding New Teacher of the Year 2024.
It led to a “totally overwhelmed” Ciara appearing on BBC’s The One Show.
Speaking on the show, Ciara said: “This is amazing. I am so, so lucky. We have the best school, the best staff, the best pupils, we have the best community. This is an absolute honour.”
Ciara was recognised for her role in helping to encourage young girls to study science, technology, engineering and maths (known as Stem subjects), as well as running a popular after-school Science club.
Selected from thousands of nominees, the award acknowledged her exceptional contribution to students and to the wider community.
She told the show she had been inspired by other teachers to enter into the profession and work in her old school.
Grainné Hughes, who used to teach her and is now her colleague, nominated her.
“She is the complete package,” Grainné insisted.
“Ciara lights up in her pupils’ presence and they certainly light up in hers,
One of her pupils told the show she made science “fun” and made it easy to learn.
Head teacher Katrina Crilly said she was an “outstanding” teacher.
She supports the school’s study skills programme, as well as running a popular after-school Science club.
Ciara learned of her award win during a visit to the school from The One Show’s Ryan Hand.
He enlisted the help of her family, colleagues, camogie team and former team-mates to surprise her with the award.
The programme also included a surprise performance from one of her favourite singers, Ryan McMullan.
The Pearson Awards were founded in 1998 to celebrate excellence in UK education and showcasing commitment to changing the lives of children through learning.
Run by the Teaching Awards Trust, an independent charity, and sponsored by Pearsons, the awards are an opportunity to shine a spotlight on the pivotal roles teachers, support staff, colleges, schools and early years educators play in inspiring young people, every single day.
Ciara and colleagues
