Plenty of joy for pupils at popular race in Newcastle

Plenty of joy for pupils at popular race in Newcastle

13 December 2023

LOCAL athletes competed at the second round of the Flahavan’s Primary School Cross Country League last week.  

Taking place at Donard Park, Newcastle, pupils from around the county competed in the latest round with many young athletes taking the top spot hoping to qualify for the final, set to take place on Friday, February 23, at Mallusk playing fields.  

Ollie Brannigan from St Joseph’s Primary School in Newcastle placed third in the first boys’ race of the day before Harry McVeigh from Bunscoil Bheanna Boirche, Castlewellan, gained the top spot in the second race. Continuing local success, Grace Morgan from St Joseph’s Primary School, Newcastle, achieved silver in the first girls’ race while Amber Keown from Downpatrick Primary School placed third. 

Then, Emily Kerr from Newcastle Primary School gained the top spot in the second girls’ race of the day, followed by Lily Henderson from Spa Primary School, Ballynahinch, in second and Katie Ross from Andrew’s Memorial Primary School, Comber, in third place.  

The pupils have also been competing in team races to collect points for their school, with the top schools due to compete in the third round of the league set to take place at Dunleath playing fields, Downpatrick, on Monday, January 15. 

The top three boys’ teams in the first race of the second round were St Ita’s Primary School, Lough View Integrated Primary School and Ballyholme Primary School, Bangor, whilst the top three teams in the second boys’ race were Dundonald Primary School, Towerview Primary School, Bangor and Glencraig Integrated Primary School, Holywood.  

The top three girls’ schools in the first girls’ race were St Ita’s Primary School, Belfast, Lough View Integrated Primary School, and St Joseph’s Primary School, Newcastle, whilst the second girls’ race saw Towerview Primary School, Bangor, St Joseph’s Primary School, Carryduff, and Donaghadee Primary School place in the top three. 

Following the third round, athletes will compete in the final due to take place in February, with the top 20 boys and top 20 girls invited to join the Flahavan’s Athletics Northern Ireland junior endurance squad. Participation in the endurance squad has long been seen as a fantastic opportunity for young athletes, helping further develop their athletic careers by providing training sessions and all-important guidance over a 12-month period.