Scoil Bhrìde, Kilcullen Athletics Success
- County Champions!
The annual Cumann Na mBuncoil Cross Country Athletics meet took place on Friday 20th April in Hawkfield, Newbridge. The school this year were in both the Large School Boys & Girls for the first time.
After weeks of school trials and preparation by pupils & teachers which were hampered by weather conditions the boys & girls were ready to give their all on the day. After 2 county team success in the last 3 years in the Intermediate boys race the boys stepped up to the Large schools race for the first time. With 24 teams in the race & 142 competitors they were not overawed & competed magnificently in a field of very high standard runners.
Finn Cowper Gray led the charge for the boys from pillar to post & came home first individual. A super achievement from a natural athlete to add to last years boys individual win in the Intermediate school race. A unique double for Finn! The winning time was 3min 48secs over the 1250m
Running tremendous races we had Ryan Dunne 5th, Paddy Taylor 12th & Sam Kelly 14th completing the top 4 for our team position with Tom Cronin, Jack Jordan Doyle & Rory Taylor also running really great races on the day.
The boys claimed silver medals coming 2nd team overall out of 24 with Ballymany declared winners with Clane in 3rd. A super achievement by the Kilcullen boys. Tadhg Walsh who was also part of the team & put in many days of training was unfortunately injured for the race but supported & assisted greatly in the day.
The girls large school race followed where the Kilcullen girls were chasing a 4 in a row! There were 25 teams & 162 runners in the girls race. Despite a few pre race nerves the girls really got stuck in as a team & carried out their race strategy brilliantly.
The Tyrell twins Amy & Leah were trying to build on last years impressive 5th & 7th place finishes & didn’t disappoint. In a very competitive field of runners the girls battled all the way to win individual 2nd & 3rd places. With very tigerish performances, full of gutsy running Alex Connors in 4th & Anna Taylor 17th made up the first 4 for team positions with Marysia Bowens, Kaelah Taffee, Clodagh Kennedy, Emily Larrigan & Della Cowper Gray also running brilliantly on the day.
Amazingly the girls again did enough to secure the county cup for Kilcullen for the 4th year in a row! A remarkable achievement. Ballymany finished 2nd with St Mary’s Naas in 3rd. Both Amy & Leah Tyrell accepted the cup on behalf of the team from Johnny Doyle.
Well done to all involved including both Boys & Girls teams for their hard work & dedication, coaches Mr Lloyd & Mr O’Raoghaill, Cumann Na mBunscoil Cill Dara for organising & principal Mrs Flanagan for her support.
Scoil Bhríde Abù