Harriers athletes win medals at Combined Events finals

THE Irish Life Health National Indoor Combined Event Championships were held in the AIT arena in Athlone last Saturday and two Kerry athletes from Tralee Harriers were competing in the boys events. Jordan Kissane brought home silver in the U-16 category with a fine all-round performance including a new PB of 5.58m in the long jump. Two PBs in the hurdles and the high jump and a strong finish in the 1,000m secured the bronze medal for Cillian Griffin in the Youth (U-17 to U-18) age group.

The final Munster indoor event was held in Nenagh last Sunday with the inter-club relays. Lios Tuathail AC had a very strong entry with gold medals going to their U-10 boys team, silver going to their U12 girls and boys teams and bronze medals were won by their U-9 and U-15 girls teams.

The schools cross-country began in earnest at The Demesne, Killarney last Thursday where 320 secondary school athletes from 17 schools in Kerry and West Limerick took part in this annual event, which began in 1985. The fixture was in doubt early in the week due to the stormy weather and as a result the underfoot conditions were testing in places, but cross country athletes are hardy souls and are used to tough conditions; the course was well marked and prepared by Mike Horan and his team from Presentation Secondary School, Killarney.

The Morkham Shield for Best Girls School was won by Mercy Mounthawk and the Shield was presented to Leah Long by Lorcan Murphy and Damien McLoughlin of Kerry Schools Athletic Board.

The Shield for Best Boys School was won jointly by Tralee CBS and St. Brendan’s Killarney and was presented to team captains, John Ward (Tralee CBS) and Fergal Murphy (St. Brendan’s) by Lorcan Murphy and Damien McLoughlin, of Kerry Schools Athletics Board.

Individual race winners

Girls

Minor – Shauna McCarthy, Killorglin Community College; Junior – Deirdre Kelly, Colaiste na Sceilge; Inter – Alyce O’Connor, PS Inbhear Sceine; Senior – Emily Pierse, Colaiste Ide & Iosaef, Abbeyfeale.

Boys

Minor – Cian Spillane, Pres. Milltown; Junior – Liam Palmer, PS Inbhear Sceine; Inter – Oisin Spillane, Mercy Mounthawk; Senior – Killian Kerins, Pres. Milltown.

Shield for Best Boys School was won jointly by Tralee CBS and St. Brendans Killarney and was presented to team captains, John Ward (Tralee CBS) and Fergal Murphy (St. Brendans) by Lorcan Murphy and Damien McLoughlin, of Kerry Schools Athletics Board.

The Morkham Shield for Best Girls School was won by Mercy Mounthawk and presented to Leah Long by Lorcan Murphy and Damien McLoughlin of Kerry Schools Athletic Board.