Winter honours retained
IT WAS all excitement for the final of the winter league on the track in Enniscorthy recently.
United Striders were looking for their fourth win in the league with keen competition for the second, third and fourth spots. Participation was high this year with 257 young boys and girls competing so far.
Ten athletes went into the final hoping to repeat their success in winning their age group in the previous rounds, bidding to take home the coveted star awards.
International athlete Phil Healy took time out of her European championship training schedule to present the medals and cup and spoke to the athletes with generous words of encouragement for their efforts.
The event opened with the tiny tots, running 60m with great excitement. Leah Bolger of Bree retained her winning streak in the Under-8 girls, taking home the first star award. Nessa Long of Enniscorthy was second with Catherine O’Leary of St. Paul’s third.
Ciara Laffan of Bree also secured her star award her in the Under-9, with Chloe Casey of Bree second and Ava Keane of D.M.P. third.
Katie Doyle of Bree took home a star award in the Under-10 with Marbelys Fernandez of Enniscorthy second and Rachel Whelan of D.M.P. third.
Abbey Doyle of Bree won the Under-11 again, securing her star award followed by Daniella Stone of D.M.P. second and Cara Kelly of D.M.P. third.
Orla Deegan of S.B.R. was not taking any chances in the Under-12 race, as she took command with 300m to go and was a comfortable winner, earning her a well-deserved star. Sinéad O’Reilly of Menapians was second with Orlaith Byrne of S.B.R. third.
Ciara Martin of St. Paul’s had a fine run to win the Under-13, with Eimear Halpin of Menapians second and Aoibhinn Mernagh of D.M.P. third.
Danika Gilshinan of Menapians won the Under-14, followed by Eve Byrne of United Striders and Louise Doyle, also of Striders.
Róisín O’Reilly of Menapians secured her star award in the Under-15, with Aisling Power of United Striders second and Ellie Quinn of United Striders third.
Rebecca Bawden and Alannah Byrne of United Striders shared the glory in the Under-16.
Jayden Kenny of Bree took home a star award in the Under-8 boys, with Tomás Brennan of Enniscorthy second and Liam Kenneally of United Striders third.
Cian Donovan of Bree won the Under-9, followed by Seán O’Brien of Striders in second and Alfie Whelan of Menapians third.
Kevin O’Mahoney of D.M.P. secured his star award, retaining his Under-10 title. Cian O’Dowd of D.M.P. was second with Ronan Shannon of United Striders third.
Con Mernagh of D.M.P. won the Under-11 with Patrick Kinsella of S.B.R. second and Seán Lennon of United Striders third.
Cosmo Hewlett of United Striders made a late surge to win the Under-12 ahead of Darragh Breen of S.B.R. and David Kirwan of S.B.R.
The Under-14 win went to Conor Doyle of Bree. Aidan Shannon of Striders was second with his clubmate Darragh Flannelly third.
Adam O’Connor of United Striders maintained his winning run in the Under-14, taking home a star award and beating off the challenge of S.B.R. duo Conor Holloway and Joe Byrne.
Aaron Browne of Striders won the Under-15 and a star award ahead of team-mates Cian Flanagan and Patrick Doyle.
Finally, Cian Murphy of Menapians took the Under-16 honours ahead of Edward Kinsella of S.B.R.
The final result of the league was a win for United Striders, a fantastic achievement for the club to retain this cup so consistently over the last few years. Menapians were second with S.B.R. third.
Well done to everyone and thanks to all the helpers who ensured the four rounds went so smoothly.