A Cork national school is marking the 50th anniversary of its unique tradition known as 'Conker Comp' in which students compete to win the coveted David Geary Perpetual Conker Trophy.
Since 1975, students from First to Sixth class in Crosshaven Boys' National School have participated in the annual conker competition.
The trophy has been presented to the winner of the competition since 1989 and is named after a pupil, David Geary, who died at a young age.
The winner must be victorious in seven to eight rounds of conker battles, which culminate in a grand final between two competitors, Principal Colm Lyons said.
The aim, he said, is to have one conker break another before the pupil then progresses to the next round.
The school maintains a record of each pupil who has won the competition since its inception 50 years ago.
The so-called Conker Comp Roll of Honour Board is displayed in the school's main hall corridor.
Mr Lyons said the competition "promotes the very best in sportsmanship" as it is expected the winner will commiserate with the defeated boy in each round and the defeated opponent wishes the victor the very best in the next round.
This year, 174 pupils competed for the top prize of being crowned Conker Comp Champion.
Regarding Conker Comp 2024, Mr Lyons said the finalists, Harry Lenihan and Alex O'Brien, have "come through seven rounds against their opponents".
"So, they've beaten seven boys, possibly from their classes, but all from first to sixth class," he said.
Speaking ahead of the final, Harry said it would be "brilliant" to win but added that "making memories" and "making history" are also his goals.
Alex described his conker as "two-year seasoner".
"I put it in the hot press until the final and we made it way stronger and that's how I think I'm winning," he added.
Alex was declared the winner of Conker Comp 2024, defeating Harry in a tense contest.
