CREST OF A WAVE Dara's footie design is a winner
By Martin Walsh
Eight-year-old Dara Ryan is the toast of Kilcolman National School after his football crest design was chosen as the Irish winner of the Panini Classroom Challenge.
His great win includes three prizes – €1,000 for his school, a €50 Amazon gift voucher and a Real Madrid jersey.
Ironically, Dara is a great fan of former Madrid and Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo, but didn’t hesitate to inform The Southern Star that his favourite club is Lyre and while he scores many goals, he would like to be as proficient as his hero.
Children from third to sixth class in schools all over Ireland participated in the competition while England, Scotland and Wales also had their own separate national competitions.
School principal Freda Mills said the school was hugely proud of Dara’s achievement.
‘During the recent mid-term break we received an email with the great news that Dara’s entry, which featured an eagle and two footballs, was the overall winner in the Republic of Ireland,’ said Ms Mills.
‘We kept it as a surprise until we re-opened and we had an assembly during which we made the announcement and there was great excitement. Dara actually wrote ‘Lyre’ on the top of his design.’
