Popular schoolteacher remembered in memorial tournament
The PJ Davern Cup was played on Friday afternoon last (21st March) in Cashel Community School. This annual soccer tournament, organised by caretaker Martin Coleman, involves both 1st and 2nd year students. It is sponsored by the Davern Family in memory of their late father PJ who was Vice Principal of Cashel CBS for the majority of his over thirty year teaching career, finishing off his final few years teaching in Cashel Community School when the CBS, Convent and Vocational schools amalgamated in 1994.
Indeed, PJ was proud to have taught both the first principal and vice-principal of the new Community School when they attended the CBS.
PJ was always a keen supporter of soccer being played in the school and he himself played in goal for Cahir Park when he was in his twenties.
In wet conditions, the event culminated in a final at 5pm with plenty of goals to enjoy.
The winning team was captained by Ben O’Keeffe of 1st year and at the presentation of medals afterwards, Cashel Community School Principal Brian Moran referred to PJ Davern’s teaching career with the school and his love for the game.
This was supported by Tournament Organiser Martin Coleman, who himself was a student of PJ’s.
The medals for both the winning and runner up teams were presented by PJ Davern’s 4- and 5-year-old grandsons James and Harry Davern and the cup was presented to the winning captain by PJ’s son Donagh Davern and Mr Brian Moran School Principal.
Awards were also presented to the Player of the Match and Player of the Tournament Mateusz Falgowski (1st Year) and Daniel Burke (2nd Year).
Martin Coleman thanked all those who helped in the organisation of the event from both the school and Cashel Town FC and looked forward to staging the tournament again next year.