Dean Donovan, Saoirse Gill, Jack Carney and Sophie Karasiewicz, pupils from St. Colman’s Scoil Mhuire, Claremorris, pictured with their teacher Liam Óg Horkan, ILCU President Martin Busch and Quiz Master John Sharpson as they were announced joint runner-up in the A Category in this year’s Credit Union Schools Quiz. Photo: Robbie Reynolds.

Two Mayo schools savour success at national Credit Union quiz finals

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Ireland’s brightest young minds were crowned national champions at the Irish League of Credit Unions (ILCU) Schools Quiz Grand Final, held in the RDS Dublin yesterday.

Following months of intensive competition involving more than 25,000 students from across the island, the final saw 88 talented teams go head-to-head in a dramatic conclusion to the popular quiz.

The atmosphere at the packed RDS venue was electric as competitors tackled challenging questions spanning subjects such as history, geography, science, popular culture, and general knowledge.

Presenter and RTÉ personality John Sharpson, affectionately known as ‘Múinteoir John’ from RTÉ’s Home School Hub, hosted the nail-biting event.

The coveted national titles were awarded as follows:

Competition A (Under 11) Champions:

· Holy Family National School, Rathmore, Co. Kerry, representing Rathmore & District Credit Union

Team members: Éabha Buckley, Diarmuid Horan, Conor McCarty, and Kayleigh White

Joint Runners-up Competition A:

· Maynooth BNS, Co. Kildare, representing Life Credit Union

Team members: Noah Crompton, Stephen Marchyk, Leon McMonagle, and Daniel Tigue

· Scoil Mhuire, Claremorris, representing St. Colman’s (Claremorris) Credit Union

Team members: Dean Donovan, Saoirse Gill, Jack Carney, and Sophie Karasiewicz

Iarla Hannon, Gareth Doyle, Michael Duffy and Cian Gillespie, pupils from Quignamager National School, Ballina, Co. Mayo, pictured with their teacher, Anne Treacy and ILCU President Martin Busch and Quiz Master John Sharpson. PHOTO: ROBBIE REYNOLDS

Competition B (Under 13) Champions:

· Quignamanger National School, Ballina, representing Ballina Credit Union

Team members: Iarla Hannon, Gareth Doyle, Michael Duffy, and Cian Gillespie

Joint Runners-up Competition B:

· Roundwood National School, Co. Wicklow, representing Altura Credit Union

Team members: Mark Ichim, Caoimhe Connolly, Charlie Connolly, and Bandon McCann

· St. Beacon National School, Mullinavat, Co. Kilkenny, representing St. Dominic’s Credit Union

Team members: Martin Raftice, Patrick Raftice, Oisín Butler, and Bria Wall.

The Credit Union Schools Quiz, a cornerstone of the ILCU's youth outreach, fosters the principles of teamwork, critical thinking, and knowledge-building among Ireland’s school children.

The competition remains a highlight in the primary school calendar, underpinning the Credit Union movement’s commitment to nurturing community involvement and financial literacy from a young age.

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