Louth LSP spreads word about cycling benefits
GARY WINS FIGHT FOR THE GOLD
DUNDALK/ARDEE Under-18s endured a tough test at Greystones RFC on a beautiful sunny Sunday morning.
Despite starting against with just 13 men the visitors looked sharper in the first half with early scores from centres Gavin Farrell and David Murdock opening an early lead.
David Murdock switched to full back in the second half but had to leave the field due to injury when he came out of the wrong side of a very strong hit, causing Dundalk more problems.
The tide inevitably turned as Greystones eventually assumed control, but Dundalk/ Ardee left everything on the pitch and were unlucky not to take something from the game.
While there were some fine individual performances the team played their hearts out against the odds when others would have wavered. DUNDALK Under-17s travelled to North Kildare on Sunday to take on a big, physical home side.
However, it soon became clear that the hosts would have trouble unlocking a resolute Dundalk defence and at the other end the visitors ran in two tries and converted one to lead 12-0 at the break.
With confidence soaring Dundalk crossed for three more tries in quick succession after the interval and after shipping a number of injuries North Kildare conceded with 15 minutes remaining.
On the return journey home the team bus dropped in to see fellow teammate Fionn O’Brien who remains in St James’s Hospital, making a steady recovery following a traffic accident two weeks ago. The club sends Fionn its very best wishes. AN innovative programme designed to increase attendance at school, boost participation in physical activity and introduce cycling to young people in Louth rolled into Ardee CS recently.
Louth Local Sports Partnership has been collaborating with local cycling clubs on the ‘Learn to Cycle Programme’ since March with the help of funding CYPSC dormant account fund.
LLSP Sport Development Officer Barry Casey received great support from the Home School Liaison officersin local schools and a total of 68 students took part in the programme across five schools.
Sinead Mc Court and Andrea Duffy from Deeside School Completion Programme helped introduce the programme to Ardee CS with the assistance of Eamon Martin, owner of Wheels & Heels and a member of Ardee Cycling club.
The programme was run over a four-week period within the grounds of the Ardee Community School and was free for all the participants who were supplied with a bike, a helmet and a padlock to lock their bike.
In the two-hour session, the students learned basic cycling skills and were taught how to cycle safely both as individuals and in groups. They also learned how to maintain their bike and how to check it prior to each outing.
The programme incorporated all elements of the learn to cycle module as designed by Cycling Ireland, including safely turning, stopping, cornering and cycling in groups. The participants of the programme also got to keep their bikes after the programme, which helps some to commute to school.
The programme was completed before the Halloween midterm break, Louth Local Sport Partnership tracked the programme getting feedback from both the students and teachers.
The feedback was positive and the students who participated in the programme all expressed an interested in getting involved in the cycling club in Ardee. Eamon Martin (Ardee Cycling & Wheels & Heels Owner), Sinead MC Court (Deeside Completion Programme), Mrs Jackson (Principal Ardee Community School) and Andrea Duffy (School Completion Officer) Ardee Community School. St. Pats T.O.W. boxer, Gary Óg Conway won an Ulster Boxing title at Boy 3 46kg at the Ulster 9 Counties Championships in Deele College, Raphoe, County Donegal. Gary fought Andrew Ward of St. Malachy’s B.C. in the final to take gold. Pictured with Gary Óg are his coach Seán Conway and fellow boxing club member Oscar Conway.