Portlaoise College is celebrating the achievements of two students who have both earned places on recent Leinster squads in their respective sports.
Yifei Li has been selected to represent the provincial swimming team, and Eimear Byrne will join up with the Leinster soccer team.
Yifei Li, a member of the Marlins swimming club in Portlaoise, has been selected for the national swimming programme this year.
A talented and driven athlete, Yifei’s accomplishments are not limited to swimming; she is also a skilled basketball player.
Yifei was recently chosen for the Leinster U-15 girls basketball squad as part of the Portlaoise Panthers, alongside her schoolmates Hannah Scully, and Sochima Onuora who made the boys squad.
Meanwhile, Eimear Byrne has been selected for the Leinster U-15 girls soccer team.
Eimear impressed tge coaches during trials that started with over 170 players and ended with just 17 making the final squad.
Nominated by the school’s soccer coach, Mr Moloughney, Eimear’s leadership skills have also earned her the captaincy of the school’s U-15 girls’ team.
She is a key player in the Shamrock Rovers academy and also represents the FAI Centre of Excellence.
Speaking about the student’s achievements, Principal Noel Daly emphasised the value of extra-curricular activities in education.
“At Portlaoise College, we believe that a well-rounded education extends beyond the classroom,” he said.
“Involvement in sports and other activities helps students develop crucial life skills such as teamwork, discipline, and resilience.”
Congratulating the two girls, Mr Daly said: “Their dedication to extra-curricular activities has brought pride to the school and highlighted the importance of balancing academics with personal passions.”
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