Curling

Yesterday 9JS participated in the NI disability sport kurling championships at Girdwood Hub. Split into two teams, Park Panthers and Park Pumas, the students competed with other special schools from across the Northern Ireland in new age kurling.

In the group stages Park Panthers started with a tricky 1-1 draw, before reeling off 3 straight wins over schools including Harberton and Cedar Lodge. The mix of Lucas, Michael, Orlaith and Toby proving  to be a dream team along with coach Marshall. Park Pumas also began with a 1-1 draw, gaining a point with the last stone of the game. The combination of Fiontan, AJ, Dylan and Ryan battled hard but narrowly lost their next two games (Coach Toner struggled to make an impact!), before a glorious final game win 2-1 to leave the competition on a high!

The Panthers qualified as group winners, cruising into the semi finals. In a tight game the Panthers drew the first end before going 1 point behind in the second. In the 3rd and decisive end Panthers were looking likely winners before some controversial refereeing decisions and a final stone victory for Longstone moved Park into the 3rd place playoff. A narrow defeat to Castle Tower left the Panthers medal-less but they deserve great praise finishing 4th of 25 teams! A great achievement!

Well done to all involved!