The 49th Annual Student Games:

The 49th Annual Student Games kicked off a busy period of action at St Abbans AC, Monavea on Friday 26th April with fabulous conditions welcoming students, parents and teachers to the track. With schools now grouped together to increase the competiveness, there were great battles throughout the evening from U7 all the way to U14. There was a huge selection of schools on display stretching from Scoil Molaise in Old Leighlin all the way across to Scoil Diarmada in Castedermot and around to Ballinakill and Moonenroe. Athletes gain points for their school based on their finishing position with the school’s total added together to decide the winner at the end. For many of these athletes this was their first experience of athletics and hopefully one that they enjoyed. Events catered for U7 sprints and long distance all the way up to U14 where athletes could test themselves at the sprint, Shot Putt and Long Distance. To close out the night, schools took part in a relay. The event was once again kindly sponsored by Kelly Agri Consultants. A huge thank you to club member William Kelly and all at Kelly Agri Consultant for their generous sponsorship.

When the points were added together it was the Carlow group of schools who emerged as winners with 112 points. The schools included; Ballinabranna N.S, Scoil Molaise N.S and Gaelscoil Ceatharlach. Only 6 points separated the first 3 places. There was a tie for 2nd with Ballinakill/Knock Parish: Ballinakill N.S and Knock N.S. finishing on 106 points the same total as last year’s winners the Kildare Parishes: Scoil Mhichil Naofa, Scoil Phadraig, Gaelscoil Átha Í N.S, Scoil Diarmada. A huge thank you also to those who supported our Student Games Raffle and to Noeleen who put the wonderful prizes together.

Results of Student Games Raffle:

1st - Jackie, Fay & Peter c/o Jimmy Whelan

2nd - Maire Fleming

3rd - Riona Bolton

4th - Chris Kelly

5th - Sandra Lacey

Teddy - Cormac Dineen

Next up for the Club is the Annual Open Sports which takes place on Bank Holiday Monay May 6th at St Abbans Track, Monavea. This will be followed by Stage 1 of the Fit4Life League on Wednesday 8th May in Luggacurran.