Fantastic silver for Saidhbhe in schools combined events

THE IRISH Life Health All-Ireland schools combined events took place in Athlone on Saturday.

Saidhbhe Byrne of Coláiste Bríde (Carnew) took a fantastic silver in Minor girls. Saidhbhe, who had recently been afflicted with a lung infection, may not have been firing on all cylinders but she still managed to rack up 28,90 points.

She ran 9.77s for 60m hurdles, got the shot out to 10.56m, cleared 1.47m in high jump, leaped 4.54m in long jump, and ran 2.42.76 minutes for 800m.

Orlaith Deegan (F.C.J. Bunclody) finished in fourth place in Minor girls on 2,673 points, having achieved P.B’s in high jump (1.53m) and long jump (4.40m). She also had the third fastest 800m time (2.32.43 minutes).

Maeve Hayes (Loreto Wexford) placed fourth in the Inter girls on 3,103 points. She had the joint best result in high jump (1.59m) and she performed with great consistency across the remaining events.

The upshot of this is that Maeve gets to compete in her first international as she automatically makes the Irish team for the schools international which takes place next month in Glasgow.

Jack Forde (Wexford C.B.S.) placed sixth in Inter boys with 2,920 points. He was very pleased with his placing as he still has another year in this category.

Fixtures: October 27, Leinster Juvenile cross-country (even ages), Navan Adventure Sports at Navan Racecourse, Proudstown Road, Navan, Co. Meath, hosted by Meath County Board; October 28, A.A.I. National Marathon Championships held in conjunction with Dublin City Marathon; November 3, Schools combined events international, Glasgow; November 11, Leinster Juvenile cross-country (uneven ages), Adamstown, hosted by Adamstown A.C. and Wexford County Board.