May, June, July 2006  Bosco Newsletter    

St John Bosco Athletes excel at Tullamore and Cork

 Aoife O’Connor and Louise Harvey win National titles

             Aoife O’Connor and Louise Harvey led a most successful St. John Athletics Club outing to the National Track and Field championships at Tullamore, over the weekend of 8/9^th July, when both won titles in exciting fashion. Aoife with a 5.19metres best won the Under 15 Long Jump while Louise with an 11.92secs time was equally impressive in winning the under 14 75m Hurdles.

            The statistics only tell part of the story. Following a very early start on the Saturday morning St John Bosco athletes were in action shortly after 10a.m. in qualification heats of the sprint hurdles. Louise and close friend Amie Brogan qualified for the under 14, 75 m Hurdles final while Aoife squeezed through for a final place as a fastest loser in the under 15, 80m Hurdles. Christopher Britton, recovering from a recent injury — he was unfortunate to take a tumble in the recent Tailteann Games — was involved in a closely fought Under 17 100m Hurdles final. With four athletes contesting for places at the second last hurdle Christopher was unfortunate to clatter the crossbar with his trail leg, losing his momentum –race over – he finished 4^th with Paul Doherty, Finn Valley, getting the winning verdict on the line. The conditions deteriorated and a drizzle became a continuous downpour with an unwelcome breeze.

The Under 14 Hurdles final had Amie Brogan and Louise Harvey contesting for podium places. Louise got the better start and had a 2 metres lead at the fourth obstacle. Amie did not get a good start but was in contention as the race passed the mid way stage. Over the final three hurdles Louise increased her lead and had a four metres victory at the finish line. Emma O’Doherty, City of Derry and Irish Indoor champion Tara Fogarty, Carrick on Suir filling were the other medal positions. Amie, 0.1 secs behind the bronze medal winner, was a close 5^th.  Aoife O’Connor, drawn in Lane 2 battled through for a well deserved bronze medal in the Under 15 Hurdles final – considering she qualified for the final as a fastest loser this was no mean achievement. Aoife rushed from the Hurdles final to the Long Jump run way.  In her opening two attempts of the Long Jump did not register a distance—she had two breaks. On her third attempt, following major run up distance ‘surgery’ she recorded a new P.B. of 5.03metres, was placed 2^nd overall and qualified for the final three rounds jump off. A fourth round 4.99m did not change the positions. A fifth round 5.14m leap put her momentarily into the lead. Katrina Farrell, Craughwell, responded with a 5.15metres leading best. However Aoife, in the final round with a magnificent new best of 5.19m and her first individual win at National level.

On Day 2, Sunday, club athletes were again in action early on. Kitty O’Kennedy, in the under 15, 250m Hurdles ran the race of her life to qualify behind Orla Finn, Riverstick/Kinsale, for the afternoon final. Jarlath Ruane and Christopher Britton both were final prospects in the Boys Under 17 300m Hurdles. Jarlath running in the faster first heat finished 4^th and qualified for the final while Christopher also filled 4^th place in the 2^nd heat but was out of luck for a final placing. Kitty O’Kennedy, in the 250m Under 15 Hurdles final pulled out all the stops and recorded a great performance for a third place finish and her first individual medal at National level. In the Under17, 300m Hurdles final Jarlath Ruane will take some encouragement from his 5^th place finish. With two hurdles remaining he was in third position and because of a lack of some basic endurance failed to challenge over the final 50metres. In mid afternoon, Jarlath, one of the clubs all round athletes responded and  secured a third place finish in the Shot putt with a P.B. best of 12.56metres  Louise Harvey in the first heat of the Girls Under 14, 200m ran a good time of 29.23secs but failed to gain a final placing. Well done to all who wore the club colours at Tullamore and to all Donegal athletes that gave all of us much to be proud off over the weekend. A special mention for Killybegs athlete David Hegarty who trains with the St John Bosco group on winning the  Under 15, 250m Hurdles and finished 2^nd in the 80m hurdles 

Thanks to the following parents and coaches who travelled to support over the weekend, Hugh and Geraldine O’Connor, Patricia Britton, Adrian Ruane, Louise Brogan, Angela Mehegan, Eamon and Jackie Harvey.

Congratulations to all the club athletes who qualified recently in Milford to represent Donegal at the National Community athletics finals in Mosney at the end of August

Relay success in Cork

      It’s a long way to Tipperary and even longer to Cork. Cork I.T., on the western side of the city was the competitive venue on the weekend of 15/16^th July for a small group of St John Bosco athletes. The National juvenile relays, attracted teams from all the provinces, to one of the most exciting events on the National calendar. The club’s under 15 and 14 Girls squads put in top drawer performances to finish 3^rd and 6^{th in} very closely fought and competitive finals.

      Relays demand large proportions of competitive teamwork, confidence, skill, and nerve, precision and sprinting ability with some luck thrown in for good measure. The Under 15 team of Amie Brogan, Aoife O’Connor, Kitty O’Kennedy and Louise Harvey, early in the forenoon, in the first semi final  qualified for the decider as runners up –a semi final that found last years winners Carrick on Suir drop the baton at the first change over and exit the competition. Drawn in lane four the St John Bosco girls were ranked 4^th on time as they lined up for the early afternoon final. Local club Leevale, were clear favourites to win but the minor placings were a punters nightmare. The final times of Leevale 51.63secs, Dooneen, 52.07secs and St John Bosco 52.15 sec - with the fourth and fifth teams closing in indicates a very closely fought final. At the victory presentation memories many of the ups and downs that this group experienced over the past few years flowed back – a messed up change over in last years final in Sligo found a possible top three place, quickly changing to an eight place finish – a decisive victory in this Indoor relay finals in Nenagh when all the characteristics mentioned at the start were noted plus a number of spills and thrills including dropped batons made the medal winning performance all the more rewarding. The 52.15 secs time was a team improvement of nearly two seconds

      The under 14 team were next in action.  This group improve with every outing. Amie Brogan and Louise Harvey both moved down to their own age group and were now joined by Mary O’Kennedy and Molly O’Gara for the semi finals. The team qualified for the final with a 7^th fastest time. At both Indoor and outdoor relays during the past twelve months this group had narrowly failed to qualify for finals. In finished 6^th in the final –in a very good time of 54.23 secs – this team must accept much applause for their steady progress at the highest level over the past two years. Well done to both teams and a special word of thanks to parents/coaches, Angela Mehegan, Geraldine and Hugh O’Connor, Louise Brogan, Jackie and Eamon Harvey for their support in travelling to the southern capital. Also to Angela Mehegan and her extended family for their hospitality in their home town of Youghal during the weekend.

 Successful Camp

The St John Bosco camp attracted well over one hundred and twenty children last week to a unique multi disciplined fun week at the Abbey Voc School. A sincere thank you from the club to the children, organisers, administrators, coaches/teachers, the Abbey Voc. School and the parents for ensuring that this was the most successful and enjoyable venture. The club in partnership with Donegal VEC are in the process of developing state of the art facilities for the school and community. Last weeks camp was the first fund raising venture undertaken in acquiring matching funds for the project.

     During the next few weeks club athletes will be involved in the Irish Multi events and National community Games. Good luck to all

Christopher gains International recognition

Christopher Britton, the clubs very talented Hurdler, has been on the Ulster team for the forthcoming  Celtic International versus Scotland, Wales and Ireland. He will contest the Under18 400m Hurdles against the best from these islands. This is indeed a great honour and achievement. Well done.

Ulster Championships - Antrim Forum

Over the two days of the 17th and 18th of June in the Antrim Forum several St. John Bosco AC athletes competed for the Ulster Championships. 

On the Saturday in glorious weather Aoife O'Connor (92), Louise Harvey (93), Amie Brogan (93), Molly O'Gara (93) and Mary O'Kennedy were in action. Aoife took the gold in the long jump with a distance of 4.79m and went on to take bronze in the hurdles and third in the 100m. This is a great performance for the Donegal athlete. Louise Harvey participating in her most successful event the hurdles went on to win and her club mate Amie Brogan was next to her on the winners podium with the silver medal. Both girls also competed in other events with Louise making the final of the 200m and Amie making the final of the 80m. Molly O'Gara had a tough days work with three events. She competed in the 80m and 200 but lost out a final place on time. Mary O'Kennedy (93) also in the 200m was second in her heat but failed to make a final on time and both girls took part in the Long jump but were placed outside the qualifying places on this occasion.

In very inclement conditions on Sunday five athletes were in action. Caoimhe O'Connor (91) was first on the track in the 100m hurdles but did not make the medals, Caoimhe went on to compete in the Long Jump and put in a new personal best performance. Ellen Doherty (91) was competing in both the girls Hammer and Pole Vault and finished in Silver and Gold positions. Ellens first Hammer competition saw her throw a distance of 18.32m. Christopher Britton (90) was next onto the track in the 100mH and was narrowly beaten by Paul Doherty from Finn Valley. Both athletes were dead heated in hand timing at 14.8. These times were later adjusted to give the race to Doherty following examination of the photo finish. Jarlath Ruane (90) competed in three events on the day including  a fourth place finish in the high jump (1.6m), A first place finish and a new personal best of 12.3m in the Shot Put and a third place finish in the 400mH. Sarah Martin competing in her first ever Ulster Hammer competition placed third with a throw of 16.17m. Congratulations to all the competitors and qualifiers. The club would like to thank coaches and parents who travelled with the athletes.

Ulster childrens games and under age championships

Twenty young athletes competed in the Ulster childrens games and under age championships in Finn Valley on Sunday the 11th of June. The club would like to thank parents and coaches (Patricia Britton, Geraldine O'Connor, Vera Haughey, Paul O'Gara, Jackie Harvey and Richard McCarthy) for traveling to this event.

Excellent performances were exhibited by all the athletes but three come in for Special mention. Christopher Doherty threw 16m in the under 13 Javelin to take a bronze medal, Daniel Bennett took a bronze in the Shot Putt for under 12 boys but the star of the show was Kate McGowan who took gold in the under 10 girls childrens games with the overall fastest sprint time and a well placed long jump. 

Other athletes competing on the day included, Ciaran Cornyn, Niamh Currums, Leanne McInaw, Darren Doherty, Kalvin McShane, Shane Gallagher, Daire Quinn, Gareth McCarthy, Conal McCrudden, Ryan Haughey, Meabh O'Donnell, April Gildea, Sarah Gallagher, Kate McCarthy, Ailish O'Gara, Sinead Currums, Andrea Keaney.

Some promising performances were demonstrated by Leanne McInaw in the Shot, Niamh Currums in the high jump, Daire Quinn and Kalvin mcShane in the Sprints and Manus Darby in the 600m.

Donegal Childrens Games and under age championships

On a beautiful summers evening in Finn Valley twenty young St. John Bosco athletes traveled to compete in the Childrens games and under age championships. Athetes aged 9 to 13 took part in what turned out to be a great nights entertainment for both athletes and fans. 

Competing for Donegal Town were under 9/10: Shannon White, Kate McGowan, Mathew Oates, Katie O'Grady, Chloe Masterson. Under 11: Emma Brady, Daire Quinn, Karen Tracey, Daniel Bennett, Elaine McIntyre. Under 12/13 Niamh Currums, Andrea Keaney, Ailish O'Gara, Christopher Doherty, Ciaran Cornyn, Claire Brady.

All of the athletes competed very well but a special mention goes to the following. Niamh Currums for her gold medal in the High Jump with a clearance of 1.21m. Christopher Doherty for his bronze medal in the Shot Putt. Ciaran Cornyn for his double bronze in the Hurdles and Sprint. Kate McGowan for her Gold medal in the under 10 Sprint. 

The club wishes to thank Geraldine O'Connor, Patricia Brady, Paul O'Gara and David Doherty for traveling to this event.  

Irish Schools Athletics Finals Tullamore, Sat 3rd June

Abbey Voc Students excel in Tullamore

When the Irish schools Track and Field finals were held in Tullamore on Saturday last Abbey Voc students,-all had qualified via Ulster District and finals during May--excelled in a number of disciplines

Christopher Britton, a transition year student, in the very demanding 400m Hurdles Under 17 ran an outstanding race to finish 2nd. Jarlath Ruane, an Abbey school friend led this race at the halfway and as the athletes, two from each province , entered the home straight Britton was in 4th place. Tired legs, lactic acid and a very hot day found an entralling finish.Ruane paid the penalty for his early very fast pace and he drifted back to 6th at the tape.Britton clawed his way past runner after runner to get momentarily into the lead coming of the final hurdle.In a battle for the line he was overtaken.He recorded a PB time of 58.85secs.

Later in the afternoon Chrisopher finished 4th in the 100m Hurdles and now looks forward to representing Ulster schools in the Tailteann Games, Inter Pro at the end of June.A  top two position in this competition would assure himof a place on the Irish Schools Under 17 team or the home countries International, to be held at Grangemouth in early July

Aoife OConnor and Louise Harvey, both 1st year students in the Abbey Voc School were involved in equally close and exciting competitions.Aoife ,following round one of the Long Jump was in 8th position.Her 2nd jump of 4.94metres, placed her in 2nd.As the competition entered the final round she was still  2nd with only 7 cm seperating six athletes. In the final round she was pushed back into 3rd place by the smallest of margins. To win a medal in the All ireland schools is indeed a great achievement.Louise Harvey with a 2nd round jump of 9.41metres, Under 15 Triple jump,- added another bronze medal to the Abbey Voc's success story.This was PB by over 20cm for Louise

Carrick Voc School Paul ODonavan, in the Junior Boys Hammer hurled the 4k implement 41.14 metres to become the first county schools athlete to win a medal in this discipline at National level.Paul, a week earlier won the Ulster schools title but on Saturday was happy with a silver medal performance behind Meagan fro Belvadere College.

Killybegs Voc's David Hegarty, was the first athlete from the school to contest the Irish schols finals.Following a poor start in the Under 15 Boys 80m Hurrdles he battled through to finish 5th 

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