 St Aidan's CBS, Whitehall, Dublin, Ireland |
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| St Aidan's CBS, Whitehall, Dublin, Ireland |
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The All-Ireland Schools Cross-Country Championships took place on Saturday, March 8th, in Dartfield Equestrian Centre, Loughrea, Co. Galway. The school was well represented in the intermediate and senior categories, to face the atrocious underfoot conditions in the east Galway venue. The athletics team had the support of parents and teachers who made the trip from Dublin.
Our inter. team ran their hearts out and finished an impressive sixth overall. However the day was all about our senior team. Since last august they engaged in 180 training sessions, ran 1,200 miles in training and endured massive personal sacrifices in the process.
On the day, the team encountered a ferocious battle for supremacy from St. Malachy's, Belfast and St. Eunan's, Letterkenny. Led by the indomitable Larry Brady, who galvanised the team, Aidan's ran out comfortable winners in the end to land our fourth title in this prestigious event.
As the captain, Paul Sherrin, proudly raised the cup aloft, we remembered the great teams of 1974, 1975 and 1985. The sun shone brightly, the footprints began to glisten in the clinging mud, the supporters warmed in appreciation - the title had returned to St. Aidan's after 23 years.
Excluding Mark McDonald, who will be heading to third level education next year, the team will remain intact to defend their title in 2009.
A special word of thanks to the coach, Alan O'Neill, to Joe and Brian, and to all our supporters who made this a special day.
Team:
P. Sherrin (c)
T. Kavanagh
C. Murray
D. Murphy
M. McDonald
L. Brady
E. McDonnell
G. Redmond
Mr. A. O'Neill/Mr. T. P. Ward.
Clonliffe Harriers - Larry Leads St. Aidan's team to Senior Gold
Clonliffe Harriers - All-Ireland Cross-Country Championships Gallery