Fifteen medals were taken home by Moate Community School, in a hugely successful day for the track and field athletics team at the Connaught Finals. Fourteen students walked away with either an individual or relay team medal, which consisted of a selection of silver and bronze medals. Gold medals were only a hairs breath away in the 200 metres for Lucy Champ, as she finished 2nd by 0.2 seconds to eventual winner Caoimhe Kilkenny from As Mhuire Ballinasloe. There will be a phenomenal battle on between these girls in the upcoming All-Ireland final, which takes place in Tullamore Harriers on Saturday 4th June.

While Karrisa Burns was in the All-Ireland qualification places for her race, 1500 metres at minor level only goes as far as provincial championships. There will be plenty of more opportunities for Karissa to get to All Ireland finals. She ran a brave, gruelling 1500m race where she paced herself fantastically well in behind the two fastest girls from the North and Connaught regional qualifiers. In the final straight, Karissa powered past Tara Nolan of Swinford and she was only 3 seconds adrift of the winner Emma Carroll of Ursuline College Sligo, when she crossed the finish line. Karissa should be hugely proud of her display where she improved her time from the South Connaught qualifiers race by 25 seconds.

Eoin Conlon is in a similar position to Karissa where the 1500 metres boys at minor level doesn’t go past provincial level either, while he finished in an All-Ireland qualification place. Eoin paced himself beautifully throughout the race and powered home to a third-place finish. He gave it absolutely everything in the final straight to try and catch the eventual 2nd place finisher, Charlie McNamara of Summerhill Sligo. Eoin should be hugely proud of his effort, which was a 14 second improvement on his 2nd place finish in the South Connaught qualifiers race.

Another qualifier for the All-Ireland final, is the senior girls 4 by 300 metres relay team. This team consists of Sofia Toyos, Isabel Soria, Fee Muller and Elisa Moretti. This is an international team consisting of team members from countries all over Europe. The hard work these girls put in throughout the year paid off in a second-place finish where they will get to test themselves against the best in the country.

Other medal winners were Oisín McDermott, Aodhán Curran, Adam Keane and Trevor Fakeye in the intermediate boys 4 by 100 metres relay, who came home in third place to take home a bronze medal. Kate Whyte, Lucy Champ, Orla Ross and Martha Castro Leon also powered home to a third-place finish in the intermediate girls 4 by 100m relay.

Other finishes included 4th place for Aaron Claffey in minor boys javelin. 4th place for Hagan Niall in 3000m intermediate boys. 6th place finish for Áine Bracken in 800m and 5th in javelin minor girls. 5th place finish for Kate Whyte in 3000m intermediate girls. 5th place for Clodagh Kelly in 1500m minor girls. 6th place finish for Karrisa Burns, Áine Bracken, Neasa Trainor and Clodagh Kelly in minor girls 4 by 100m relay. 6th place finish for Anthony King Carroll in 800m minor boys. 6th place for Ava Gahan in minor girls Javelin. 7th place for Sofia Toyos in shot putt senior girls. 8th place finish for Jacob Kwak in 75m hurdles minor boys. 8th place for Tristan Dolan in Javelin minor boys. 8th place for Lauren Meacle Murray in Javelin minor girls. Jake Wallace also competed in the 3000m intermediate boys event.

The coaches involved were Emer Gaffey, Anthony Allen and Mick Murphy.

Photo – Lucy Champ

Photo – From left to right Oisín McDermott, Aodhán Curran, Adam Keane and Trevor Fakeye.

Photo – From left to right Órla Ross, Kate Whyte, Martha CastroLeon and Lucy Champ.

Photo – Eoin Conlon

Photo – Karrisa Burns

Photo – From left to right Fee Muller, Isabel Soria Cruz, Elisa Moretti and Sofia Toyos. In front Lidia