Two Gold and Two Silver in All Ireland schools Track & Field for St. Eunans College

June 2009

Eight students from St Eunans College made their way to the All Ireland schools Track & field championships last weekend and came home with two Gold and two silver medals. A glorious sunny day certainly brought out the best in the athletes taking part and the spectators witnessed many new championship records set.

The College athletes played their part and Pauric Mc Laughlin was first to deliver in the Senior Boys 2000metre steeplechase. After a tactical battle in the first four laps Pauric pulled away from the field with 600mts to go and came home in 6.10.27 with 5 seconds to spare over Emmet Jennings, Oatlands College.

One Hour later Mark English lined up for the Intermediate 800mts. Mark set a blistering pace from the start and Adam Ingram of Hazelwood 1.53.97 had to pull out all the stops to just pip Mark 1.54.17 on the line. Both athletes made the qualifying time for the European Youth Olympics and broke James Nolans Intermediate record of 1.54.68 set in 1993.

Soon after Darren McBrearty lined up in the Senior boys 800mts and hit the front from the start, at the bell Darren stretched his lead with Mark Patterson (Bangor Grammer) in pursuit. Patterson 1.53.60 put in a strong finish to pip Darren 1.53.98 on the line.

Later in the day young Ruairí Finnegan picked up a second gold for St Eunans when he put in a superb display of front running from gun to tape. Ruairí comfortably winning the race 4.14.5.

Other athletes who competed for the college at the National Finals were Daniel Carr Intermediate 2Km Walk, Gearoid McGeehan Junior 800mts, Adam Friel Intermediate 1500mt Steeplechase and John Foley in the Intermediate 400mts. All of these athletes performed well and will have gained valuable experience competing at this level.