With seven relay teams competing it was an exodus from North Dublin akin to Joxer off to Stuttgart for Euro ’88 or Italia ’90 for the All-Ireland Children’s Games and U12 All-Irelands in Tullamore.
On a classic midlands scorcher, the Academy athletes (u9-u11) acquitted themselves brilliantly across the full range of events. In addition to the Academy, there were several u12 athletes competing in their All-Irelands.
Leon Keogh produced a brilliant new PB, 1.35m, to take silver in the Boys u12 High Jump, overcoming an early setback to then go on a superb streak of clearances. Leon had earlier competed in the Boys u12 Long Jump. In that Long Jump, Joe Coogan, was out of the running with just one jump left but produced a massive PB, 4.21m, to make the final and then eventually finish 5th.
Darragh Smith and Sean Kavanagh came within 4cm of a medal in the Boys U9 Long Jump and were then joined by Sam Coogan and Jamie Motherway to take 6th in their relay.
The Girls u12 Relay of Orlaith O’Grady, Mya Akinsowon, Lucy Kavanagh and Niamh O’ Farrell placed 7th while Niamh also placed 8th in her Long Jump, surpassing 4m again.
The super throwers of the Girls U9 Turbo also had a great day with the four girls, Alanna Rattigan, Laura O’Shea, Caoimhe Maguire and Ysabella Kelleher, claiming a Top 8 finish between them.
All in all, 37 athletes travelled to Tullamore for their All-Ireland experience and thanks as always to their ‘support staff’, the coaches, parents and siblings who helped and supported along the way.
Clongriffin AC 