On Thursday 10th May, the staff and students of Nenagh College gathered to recognise the career of long serving teacher, Liam Heffernan, who is due to retire at the end of this school year.
6th year student Shane Steed echoed the sentiments of all the student body when reflecting on Liam’s enormous contribution to the school over a phenomenal career stretching over 42 years. Shane spoke eloquently of the admiration and affection the students have for Liam and how each of them will take away their own individual memories of being taught by Liam or “Mini” as he is known popularly.
The Principal Damien Kennedy thanked Liam for his outstanding service to the school and noted that as the only PE teacher in the school, until being joined by his fellow Eire Óg club man and former Nenagh College student, Adam Gratton, he had touched the lives of all who had passed through the school during his career. Mr. Kennedy noted that Liam leaves a strong legacy in the school as his son Mike and daughter Katie will continue the Heffernan tradition on the teaching staff while Liam’s wife Bernie, son Barry and some family friends were also there for this special occasion.
The respect and esteem in which Liam is held by both the students and his colleagues was clear to be seen with the occasional tear being shed at the prospect of a Nenagh College without “Mini”.
As an acknowledgement of Liam’s career in teaching PE and his contribution to the school, the school’s Sports Hall has been dedicated to him and will be henceforth known as “Liam Heffernan Sports Complex”.
Everyone in the wider Nenagh College community wishes Liam a long and happy retirement.
