Coolard are best school at cross-country finals

THE inaugural Allianz Cumann na mBunscol Chiarraí Cross-Country Championships were run in Caherslee, Tralee last Thursday with 34 schools and 368 athletes competed ag teacht ó Eas Daoi i gCiarraí Thuaidh, Scoil Dar Earc in Oileán Dairbhe agus ó Scoil Naomh Eirc i mBaile an Mhóraigh i gCiarraí thiar go Gníomh go Leith in oirthear an chontae.

The children had been put through their paces by their respective teachers over the past few weeks despite the inclement weather, and those participating on Thursday last have fought off the challenge of their class mates as the competed for their place on the school team. While some entered and strove for individual titles, the vast majority were members of teams of five in the different categories in search of individual and team victory.

This competition was driven on by Coolard Principal Margaret Kissane and was organised by the county Allianz Cumann na mBunscol committee who received excellent support from many teachers who volunteered their services for the afternoon.

The first race started for the 3rd and 4th class girls at 4pm. This was a 800m race and following a tremendous battle between Rachel De Barra and Emma Neylon The Gaelscoil Mhic Easmainn athlete was first home to become the first Allianz Cumann na mBunscol Cross-Country champion. Emma Neylon Coolard NS claimed second spot while Lily Mai O’Gara from Spa NS took third place. Scoil Eoin Balloonagh claimed the gold medals in the team competition.

In the 3rd/4th class boy’s competition a 900m race Georgie O’Donnell Coolard NS took gold with Fionán Ryan Scoil Eoin Balloonagh claiming silver and Zach Walshe Scoil Chríost Rí, Causeway coming home in third place. Scoil Eoin Balloonagh claimed also claimed gold to match the achievement of their girl’s team.

Rachel Neylon, Coolard NS claimed an impressive gold in the senior girls 1,000m race and she was followed home by Rachel Mulgrew, Derryquay NS and Aoibhinn Gleeson Knockanes NS. They both gave all in search of the top three finish. Cara Gannon and Rachel O’Mahony, Scoil Eoin Balloonagh, finished fourth and fifth respectively a result which helped their school to a third gold in the team event.

In the senior boys 1,200m race over a hundred boys faced the starter’s gun and what a tremendous race we witnessed in perfect cross- country running conditions in Caherslee. The field was well packed for the opening 600m but the eventual winner David Lynch, Coolard

NS, began to open a gap in the front but he was then challenged all the way by Daniel Kirby, Scoil Eoin Balloonagh, who claimed second spot. In close pursuit was Adam Quigley, SN Dar Earc Valentia, who was followed home by a group all jostling for a single digit finish.

Gaelscoil Mhic Easmain, Trá Lí claimed the team gold in a race where all competitors fought gallantly for the all important positions in order to further their school’s chances of claiming a team prize.

The weather was good as it remained dry, the sun made a welcome appearance for the huge number of spectators who flocked to see their respective teams compete, and when one takes note of the fact that this was a first cross-country experience for the vast majority of the participants and organisers, all can be well pleased with this event which will very likely be a regular fixture in the busy Allianz Cumann na mBunscol calendar.

What a satisfying sight it was too see these young boys and girls give it their best, as they themselves set the pace and their personnel and team targets in a safe but challenging competition.

Along with our regular stalwarts a special word of thanks to Grace Crowley, Ardfert NS, Margaret Kissane, Coolard, and to Robert Kennedy, Scoil Eoin Balloonagh, who helped in the days leading up to the event as we marked the course in Caherslee and huge thanks to Joe Wallace the Caherslee grounds man and the county committee for the use of the premises.

FULL RESULTS

3rd/4th Class Girls Race: 1st Rachel de Barra, Gaelscoil Mhic Easmainn, 2nd Emma Neylon, Coolard NS, 3rd Lily Mai O’Gara, Spa NS, 4th Maeve Cour tney, St Finian’s NS Waterville, 5th Caroline Fallon, Dromclough NS Team Competition: 1st Scoil Eoin Balloonagh, 2nd Spa NS, 3rd Coolard NS 3rd/4th Class Boys Race: 1st Georgie O’Donnell, Coolard NS, 2nd Fionán Ryan, Scoil Eoin Balloonagh, 3rd Zach Walshe, Scoil Chríost Rí Causeway, 4th Daithi Keane Tyrell, Scoil Íosagáin Ballybunion, 5th Salou Sow, Moyderwell Mercy PS Team Competition: 1st Scoil Eoin Balloonagh, 2nd St Finian’s Waterville, 3rd St Oliver’s NS Killarney 5th/6th Class Girls Race: 1st Rachel Neylon, Coolard NS, 2nd Rachel Mulgrew, Derryquay NS, 3rd Aoibhinn Gleeson, Knockanes NS, 4th Cara Gannon, Scoil Eoin Balloonagh, 5th Rachel O’Mahony, Scoil Eoin Balloonagh Team Competition: 1st Scoil Eoin Balloonagh, 2nd Spa NS, 3rd Derryquay NS 5th/6th Class Boys Race: 1st David Lynch, Coolard NS, 2nd Daniel Kirby, Scoil Eoin Balloonagh, 3rd Adam Quigley, SN Dar Earc Valentia, 4th Páidí Mac Gearailt, Scoil Naomh Eirc Baile An Mhóraigh, 5th Emmett Daly, SN Dar Earc Valentia Team Competition: 1st Gaelscoil Mhic Easmainn, 2nd Scoil Iognáid Rís, Daingean Uí Chúis, 3rd Spa NS COOLARD claimed the overall school shield and this shield will be presented to them at their school during the coming week.

From Scoil Naomh Eric,An Ghaeltacht are Hannah Nic Gearailt, Aisling Ní Chinnéide, Meabh Nic Ultaigh, Beth Ní Bhanbuire, Shannon Nic Gearailt, Sinead Ní Mhuir Cheartaight and Emily Nic Gearailt

From Coolard NS were Kevin Lynch, Cian Horgan, Georgie McCannon, Aaron Kearney, Shane Horgan, Sean O’Mahony, David Lynch and Brian Dalton

Pupils from St Oliver’s NS, Aine Fitzgerald, Amber Maciona, Alanna O’Brien, Michelle Tamir, Nell Moore and Abbie Finnan, who took part in the Cumann na mBunscol Cross-Country finals

From Ardfert NS taking part in the Cumann na mBunscol Cross-Country at Caherslee GAA Grounds were Katie Barrett, Hazel O’Sullivan, Clara Daly, Orlaith McGrath and Máire O’Connor

Clodagh Sheehy, Niamh Daly, Orla McElligott, Roisín Fogarty and Sophie Collins from Asdee NS Puelle who took part in the Cumann na mBunscol Cross-Country finals at Caherslee GAA Grounds

Ellie de Híra, Anna Ní Chonchúir agus Hannah Ní Cheáinbhíl, Bunscoil an Clochair, Dingle, who took part in the Cumann na mBunscol Cross-Country finals

At the Cumann na mBunscol Cross-Country finals from Scoil Iognáid Rís, An Daingean, were Oscar Ó Donnagáin, Paddy Ó Riain, Liam Mac An tSiúil, Seán de Roiste and Harry Ó Curráin, with Tomás Ó hAinifein, Micheal Chonchuir and Margaret Kissane

The first five boys home in the Cumann na mBunscol Cross-Country finals, from left: David Lynch, Daniel Kirby, Adam Quigley, Paidí MacGearailt and Emmet Daly with event organisers

The St Finians, Waterville team that were the second team home in the Cumann na mBunscol CrossCountry3rd and 4th class blys race

Ruairí Walshe, Hazel Cantillon, Joseph Harty, Zach Walshe and Anna Marie Harty from Scoil Chriost Rí NS, Drummacurra, Causeway

Taking part in the Cumann na mBunscol Cross-Country even at Caherslee GAA Grounds were Cathal Byrne, Cillian Finucane, Ross O’Neill, Fionn Byrne, Dan O’Neill, Aisling O’Connor, Caoimhe O’Sullivan, Sarah Neville, Chloe Higgins and Clodagh Heaphy