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The Presentation Castleisland U-15 cup team with coach John Enright who has recently retired.
PRESENTATION Secondary School, Castleisland, has paid tribute to a much-loved teacher and basketball coach who has recently retired.
John Enright, a teacher of PE & Geography for over 30 years at the school, left an indelible mark in the school, whether it was coaching successful basketball teams or inspiring students in the classroom.
Staff recently acknowledged the illustrious career of their colleague. Principal Katherina Broderick recalled the good humour and quick wit which John displayed as he went about his work.
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She noted the fact that Presentation Castleisland will always be synonymous with basketball and that is primarily due to Mr Enright.
Under his guidance, he has helped the school amass a total of 24 of its 27 All Ireland titles, the most recent won in 2019.
Ms Broderick said It was fitting that Mr Enright was recognised by Basketball Ireland when he was awarded the ‘Girls School Coach of the Year 2018’.
Just last year John’s success once again filled the entire school community with pride when it was announced that the team which he coached to the All-Ireland U14 schools championship were selected to represent Ireland at the inaugural the World Schools U-15 Basketball Cup in Zadar, Croatia.
She said John was also an excellent geography teacher and his excellence shone through when one of his students, Mary Healy was awarded the highest grade in Ireland in her 2019 Leaving Certificate Geography exam.
“To have come first in Ireland from a cohort of over 19,000 students was an amazing achievement for both Mary and for John,” said Katherina.
In fact, when Ms Broderick recalled that when she phoned Mary to tell her of her massive success, Mary said “I wanted to do well in Geography as it was one of my favourite subjects and I wanted to do well for Mr Enright,”.
Quoting Michael Jordan when he said “a coach is someone that that sees beyond your limits and guides you to greatness” – Ms Broderick said the message was certainly true for Mr Enright’s students who were she said very lucky to have Mr Enright as a teacher and coach over the years.
Ms Karen O’Connor who worked alongside John in the PE & Geography department for the last few years also paid tribute to her great mentor noting that she had enjoyed many a long bus journey to school basketball matches with John.
Highlighting his unassuming ability to coach and teach she also cited examples of his often very humorous responses to questions.
Unfortunately, due to COVID restrictions the staff at Presentation formally acknowledged their wonderful colleague as he joined them virtually online.
However, there was no doubt that the sentiment and genuine support for their great colleague and friend was apparent and John was most grateful for the presentation.
Ms Broderick concluded “we are delighted John was able to join us virtually so we could pay tribute to his work and comradeship and above all we wanted to wish him all the best in his retirement”.
On behalf of the Board of management and staff of Presentation Secondary School, Castleisland John was presented with a photographic presentation which Ms Broderick said will serve as a reminder of the many happy days he spent in the school and most of all be a reminder of the high esteem that he will always be held in Presentation Castleisland.
