Former John the Baptist pupil earns Aussie Rules debut

FORMER JOHN THE Baptist secondary school pupil Anna Rose Kennedy was recently picked by her Australian rules team, Geelong Cats, to make her debut appearance during the Shels final.

Anna Rose, who was signed by the Aussie club ahead of the 2023 season, also made a huge sporting impact during her time at John the Baptist.

The school posted their delight after Anna was chosen to make her debut recently stating  “Anna represented our school brilliantly for 6 years on and off the field. She and her teammates won several All Irelands in both codes including the PPS Senior A Ladies Football title in 2017. We are so proud of you and wish you every success Anna Rose!”

The talented sports star also represented her home county in Tipperary in ladies football alongside fellow Geelong Cats teammate Aishling Moloney. 

One of the teachers at John the Baptist community school, Rachel Hayes knew “immediately the rare talent” that Anna possessed during her time at the secondary school. 

“Anna Rose played a vital role in the school’s successes in ladies’ sports, winning even schools’ All Ireland medals, while amassing numerous player of the match accolades. She captained our junior football team to an All Ireland A title and furthermore achieved the rare distinction of being appointed captain of both the Munster schools’ camogie and football teams.”

Mrs Hayes went on to say “We always knew that the sky was the limit for Anna Rose and we could not be more proud of her recent appointment and start with the AFLW Geelong Cats.”