Credit Union quiz returns amid serious display of brain power in Listowel

THERE was standing room only at the Presentation Secondary Hall in Listowel on Friday evening as hundreds of bright young primary pupils representing eleven primary schools from across North Kerry battled it out in the Listowel Credit Unions School Quiz 2023.

It marked a bravura return to form for the general knowledge contest, re-emerging after the pandemic to see if the young minds are still firing on as many cylinders as they had been pre-Covid.

The contest was not disappointed – far from it, as this current crop of primary pupils displayed incredible breadth of knowledge in seemingly every field.

The competitive edge of the big Listowel Credit Union quiz was as evident as ever therefore.

But there could be only two winning teams on the night – one from each of the two categories of under-11 and under-13.

It was the Presentation Primary team of Lucy Griffin, Shona Griffin, Emelia Broderick and Kayla Galvin that clinched first place in the seniormost category.

Meanwhile, in the under-11 competition, Dromclough NS emerged victorious – thanks to the rapid-fire correct answers delivered by pupils Cillian Quilter, Richie Reidy, Mia Fitzmaurice and Rebecca O’Connell.

But the competition was fierce with the Presentation team winning only after the under-13 contest went down to the wire with a three-team tiebreaker.

They were followed by Dromclough in second, Scoil Eiltín Naofa, Lisselton in third.

Scoil Chorp Chríost, Knockanure meanwhile came in second place in the under-11 competition, with Scoil Réalta na Maidine coming in third.

Both first-placed teams will now move forward to represent Listowel Credit Union at the Chapter 23 Finals being held at the Ballyroe Heights Hotel in early April.

“We are delighted to see the return of the Schools Quiz in its traditional format, it is always a popular event among our schools,” Listowel Credit Union Marketing Manager Ashley Fitgerald said, adding: “A fantastic night was had by parents, teachers and students alike, tense moments arose but there was brilliant camaraderie between the teams. Congratulations to all our winners and a special thank you to all the schools and teachers for their continued support.”