Kilkenny primary schools rise to cross-country challenge in Castle Park
A great day of action as the students show their athletic prowess
Young runners from across the county delivered top class performances at the annual schools cross-country competition in the Castle Park.
With courses set in The Lower Field, Transition Year volunteers from local secondary schools were primed and ready to go. Athletes from third to sixth class began to gather on the hill from about 10am.
The event started with third class girls and boys over 600m, the course distances increasing by 200m with each class level. With over 100 athletes in each race, starts were typically tight. The fields stretched out as the early flyers ran out of steam.
The hill provided a great vantage point to view the races. Teachers and parents from participating schools cheered and greeted athletes as they entered the chute at the finish line.
Camaraderie, effort and sport were the order of the day as pupils from rival schools applauded and saluted the achievements of others.
Individual and team first, second and third medals were awarded in each category, with a broad range of schools among the individual medal winners, with St Canice’s retaining the overall trophies.
Team Results
Third Class Boys: 1 St Brendan's Muckalee, 2 Gaelscoil Osraí, 3 St Aidan's.
Third Class Girls: 1 St Aidan's Kilmanagh, 2 Churchill NS, 3 St Brendan's Muckalee.
Fourth Class Boys: 1 Gaelscoil Osraí, 2 St Patrick's, 3 St Canice's.
Fourth Class Girls: 1 St Colman's NS Clara, 2 Gaelscoil Osraí, 3 St John of God.
Fifth Class Boys: 1 Gaelscoil Osraí, 2 St Canice's, 3 St Patrick's.
Fifth Class Girls: 1 Gaelscoil Osraí, 2 St Canice's, 3 St Aidan's Kilmanagh, St Canice's.
Sixth Class Boys: 1 St Canice's, 2 St Canice's 3 St Patrick's.
Sixth Class Girls: 1 St Canice's, 2 Churchill NS, 3 Gaelscoil Osraí.
Individual Results
Third Class Boys: 1 James McArdle (Freshford), 2 Ciaran Brennan (St Brendan’s), 3 Ross Burns (St Aidan’s).
Third Class Girls: 1 Alana Dalton (St Canice’s), 2 Sadie Ledingham (St Michael's), 3 Emma Malone (St Brendan’s).
Fourth Class Boys: 1 Diarmuid Maher Muckalee (St Brendan’s), 2 Iarla Mac Cába (Gaelscoil Osraí), 3 Justin Bolger (Gaelscoil Osraí).
Fourth Class Girls: 1 Tamsin Clark (St Aidan’s), 2 Marissa O’Reilly (St John of God), 3 Molly Cassidy (St John of God).
Fifth Class Boys: 1 Luke Hanlon (Kilkenny School Project), 2 Alex O’Donovan (St Patrick’s), 3 Jack Mac Mathúna (Gaelscoil Osraí).
Fifth Class Girls: 1 Pippa Manogue (Gaelscoil Osraí), 2 Edie Kample (St Canice’s), 3 Cara de Búrca (Gaelscoil Osraí).
Sixth Class Boys: 1 Daniel McIntyre (Model School), 2 Aaron Tyrrell (CBS), 3 Will Dalton (St Canice’s).
Sixth Class Girls: 1 Kate Murphy (St Canice’s), 2 Freye Okonkwl (St Canice’s), 3 Kate Malone (St Brendan’s).