THIRTEEN teams from primary schools in the Charleville Credit Union common bond area took part in the first stage of the nation wide 2010 Credit Union Schools' Quiz at Charleville Community Hall on last Saturday.

The local heat was organised by Charleville Credit Union personnel and attracted teams from primary schools in Charleville town (St. Anne's girls school and C.B.S. Primary), Ballyhea and Newtownshandrum, with each school entering a number of teams in the different age categories.

Charleville C.B.S. Primary school emerged the winners of the Junior section (U.11) category, while there was an exciting finish to the senior section (U.13) when there was a tie between Charleville C.B.S. Primary and Newtownshandrum National school.

After a further 16 rounds the Newtownshandrum team came through to great acclaim to take the honours and advance to the next round of the competition.

The quizmaster was Aidan Carroll and the questions covered topics such as history, geography, music literature and sport.

This is the 19th successive year of the schools quiz which is sponsored by the Irish League of Credit Unions.

It consists of two 'knock-out' stages, which culminate in a national final in Dublin in early April when one hundred qualifying teams will compete for prizes and certificates. The school of the winning team will also receive a cash prize.

- Mike McGrath michaelgerard@eircom.net