THE South Munster Schools Track & Field Championships took place over two days at the MTU complex in Bishopstown and saw contrasting weather conditions on both the Tuesday and Thursday.
BY JOHN WALSHE
On the first day, the sun shone but heavy rain and wind on Thursday made it difficult for the large turnout from the schools in the region.
Caoimhe Flannery of Skibbereen Community College got the defence of her Irish schools senior girls’ 1500m steeplechase off to a good start with an easy victory in a time of 5:07.73, well clear of Lauren Dinan from St Angela’s, 5:21.30.
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Last year Caoimhe made it three wins at South Munster, Munster and Irish Schools level, culminating with a record of 4:56.02 at the latter championships.
Saoirse Twomey, St Mary’s Macroom, who had a number of battles with the Skibbereen athlete during the cross-country season, had to settle for second (10:26.97) in the 3000m behind Ella Dinan of St Angela’s (10:24.26) in a close run race.
Sam and Katie Kingston both won gold in the javelin at the South Munster Schools. (Photo: John Walshe)
Ciara Delaney of Skibbereen Community College won the 400m senior girls in an impressive 60.08 and added silver in the 800m where she recorded 2:20.35. Skibbereen CC were also to the fore in the javelin with Katie Kingston taking first with her best throw of 38.43m, ahead of Elaine O’Sullivan, 29.75m.
In the intermediate grade, Adaora Nnaemeka of St Brogan’s Bandon, had a fine double winning the 100m and 200m in respective times of 12.59 and 25.89. Also in this grade, Laura-Mae Coakley (Skibbereen CC) took first in the discus with a throw of 28.20m. Lilly Clover (Bandon GS) finished second with 22.69 with Laura-Mae’s sister Lorraine taking bronze in 26.94m.
Amongst the boys, Eoin O’Callaghan of Hamilton High School was victorious in the senior 110m hurdles, clocking a time of 14.56, and then added the high jump title with a leap of 1.80m.
There was another one-two for Skibbereen CC in the intermediate boys’ javelin as Sam Kingston took first in 45.53m ahead of Evan O’Sullivan, 39.05m.
In relay action, the best of the West Cork schools were Bandon Grammar, third in both the junior and minor boys, and Schull Community College, third in the minor girls.
