18-01-2003

Young Scientist

WIith this year's Young Scientists Exhibition having reached its denouement over the weekend, budding Laois researchers had everything to cheer about as local projects made a lasting impression on the judges, receiving a total of four awards.

Top of the list was Michael Clear, a student from Mountmellick Community School, whose Boolean Logic project finished first in the Chemical, Physical and Mathematical Sciences category, as well as receiving an IBEC award. Michael's project attempted to design more beneficial circuits to speed up electronic processing time through Boolean Logic, a written series of decision-making processes that help an electronic circuit to perform. The IBEC award presented to Michael was given on the assessment that his project had the 'most potential for commercial development'. Speaking about the success, his Science teacher Una Wafer said that he was keen to further develop the project.

"Michael is thrilled that all of his hard work and dedication came to fruition. I think that, having seen the amount of effort that he put into it, his finishing was well deserved and a great reflection on his potential. During the few days that the project was exhibited, many visitors, fellow students, judges and even lecturers and professors from other institutes were amazed that he was only 15. He's always had a passion for electronics and programming and we at Mountmellick Community School are delighted that we came back into the competition with a bang!" she added.

LFL Midlands Women’s League Section 2

Mountmellick ................5 Evergreen....................... 0

MOUNTMELLICK continued their excellent form in the new Women’s League with Sunday’s big win over Kilkenny side Evergreen.

Mountmellick had two early chances after good work by Olwyn Farrell, Emma McEvoy, Claire Conlon and Nichole Dunphy.

The first goal came after Olwyn Farrell headed back a goal kick for Nichole Dunphy to run onto and put the ball in the back of the net.

Mountmellick held most of the possession and an oppertunity fell to Olwyn Farrell after a great pass to put Mountmellick 2-0 up.

The ball was played into the six yard box from a corner by Grace Weston and came back to Emma McEvoy who deflected the ball off an Evergreen player and the ball ended up in the net.

An Olwyn Farrell corner reached the boot of Mary Hyland who made it look easy and Mountmellick were 4-0 up at the break.

Mountmellick had control the whole way through this match and Evergreen were dead and buried when Olwyn Farrell scored after great work by Clare Conlon.

Mountmellick are now joint top of the table with Portlaoise and also have a game in hand.

Mountmellick: B. Cleary, M. Hyland, M. McEvoy, E. McEvoy, A. Hourigan, M. Bloomer, G. Weston, R Farrell, N. Dunphy, O. Farrell, C. Conlon. Subs: A. Cleary for N. Dunphy, A. O’Loughlin for M. Hyland, S. Baker for O. Farrell.

First Years

The information evening for incoming first year students and their parents at Mountmellick Community School will take place on Monday, January 27 while assessment testing will take place on the morning of Saturday, February 1.

Laois GAA Draw

Mountmellick GAA Club are selling tickets for the Laois GAA draw, the first of which will be at the end of January. The club are appealing to the people of Mountmellick to support this draw and club proceeds go towards the ongoing developments at Parc Acragar. Please contact club officers for tickets at €130 each. There are cars and valuable prizes on offer each month.

Comhaltas

Music classes have resumed on Tuesday evenings at 7 pm in the convent extension.
All welcome.

Computer Training

Evening courses in computer training begin in MDA in Irishtown in this month. Courses available are: Absolute beginners for adults; MS Office; ECDL (ECDL Ireland certified); computerised accounts; farm accounts; managing and maintaining your PC; one to one tuition.

The MDA have recently acquired specialised software to assist people with disabilities. For further enquiries on the above courses or specialised software please contact Imelda Burke at MDA.

Athletic Training

Mountmellick Athletic Club has resumed training on Tuesday nights at 7 pm in the sports complex.

Macra Panto

Mountmellick Macra welcomed sponsors and friends to the press launch for this year's panto on Friday night last. The dates to remember for this year's production are Wednesday, January 29 to Sunday, February 2.

The large cast will provide great musical and comedy entertainment with Beauty and the Beast.