Latest Laois Sport: South Leinster Schools Cross Country Report
South Leinster Schools Cross Country
The South Leinster Secondary Schools Cross Country took place on Wed Feb 2nd in Carlow.
There had been a record attendance at the Laois event only 1 week previously, but this event exceeded all expectations.
Almost 1300 runners competed, from schools in Wexford, Kilkenny, Carlow, Kildare and Laois – and most Laois secondary schools were well represented.
As one spectator said, some of the races were like the “hordes of attackers from Braveheart – but without the weapons”
The 8 race programme comprises Minor, Junior, Intermediate and Senior Girls and Boys.
The top 15 in each qualify for the Leinster Schools, along with the top 3 teams.
Team Results take a few days to process, this report focuses on Individual Performances
Minor Girls was the first race, with about 200 competitiors.
Katie McLoughlin (Colaiste IosagainPortarlington) was prominent from the start, and worked her way up to a fine 3rd place.
In Minor Boys, Dan Downey (CBS Portlaoise) was an outstanding race winner, with classmate David Wojrak in 6th, and Eoin Kelly (Knockbeg) in 11th
Junior Girls saw Ruby Downes Mears from Colaiste Iosagain qualify for Leinsters.
Junior Boys was another huge race, Tadhg O’Comhraidhe (Dunamase College)and Dylan Bergin (St Fergals Rathdowney) ran a super race to qualify.
Intermediate Girls had about 130 runners, well over double previous years. Laois was well represented with Orla Looney (Mountrath CS), Della McLoughlin (Colaiste Iosagain) and Aoife Gorman (Heywood CS) all qualifying in top 15
Intermediate Boys saw great Laois success, with Mckenzie McIvor (Knockbeg), Thomas Bergin and Jack Martin (St Fergals Rathdowney) and Richard McLoughlin (Colaiste Iosagain) all qualifying
Senior Girls has Faye McEvoy (Heywood CS) through to the Leinsters.
Finally in Senior Boys, Cillian Moran and Jack McMahon ( Heywood) and Pairic Wrafter (St Fergals Rathdowney) all qualified.
Full results will be published and circulated to all schools, and Individual and Team qualifiers can be preparing for the Leinster Schools event, fixed for Santry on Wednesday Feb 16th