Several young KCH athletes competed in a junior triathlon in Loughrea on Sunday last. The race consisted of a 150m swim, 3km bike, and 1km run. In spite of the lashing rain all the athletes competed very well. Holly Hales was first home from the KCH contingent and excellent performances followed from Aoibhe Richardson, Aoife and Ciara Corr, Courtney Hales and Brennagh Nugent. Some of the KCH coaches and parents-Breda Hogan, Caroline Hales, and Karen Nugent- also performed well in the women’s event which consisted of a 300m swim, 6km bike, and 2km run. In the main event (750m swim, 20km bike, 5km run ), Niamh Richardson, Ann Corr and Brendan Nugent were the Kilkenny representatives. Niamh Richardson was first overall in the women’s race in a time of 1 hour and 15 minutes.
Cross country title goes to Gael Scoil Osrai
This year’s primary schools cross-country held in the Castle Park proved successful for Gael Scoil Osrai. This annual event, hosted by local club Kilkenny City Harriers (KCH ), continues to grow and provides an afternoon of fun, competition and great excitement. Even a heavy shower during the race for sixth class girls failed to dampen the enthusiasm. This was particularly true for na buachailli agus na cailini from Gael Scoil Osrai. They had some great individual performances but it was in the team events that they really showed their class. Taking first team medals with fourth and sixth classes and second team medals with fifth class won them the KCH Shield for best girls school. Then with third placed teams in each of the boys fourth, fifth and sixth classes they finished comfortable overall winners with a points total of 38. School Principal, Sean O’HArgain, was presented with the Credit Union Shield by Cathy Kealy, St Canice’s Kilkenny Credit Union. St Canice’s co-ed school, last year’s overall winners were second this year with 27 points. Very good performances from their boys brought them first place for fifth class and second place for fourth and sixth classes. The resulting points total of 19 points earned them retention of the KCH Shield for best boys school. St Patrick’s were second with 15 points. Sean Lynch, PRO for KCH, thanked all who had contributed to the success and enjoyment of the day. He paid particular tribute to the boys from transition year in St Kieran’s College who marshalled the course and looked after the scoring; The OPW for making the wonderful facility of the Castle Park available not just for this annual event but for year round training for the club. He also praised McDonalds for their involvement in The Little Athletics Programme and for the contribution of The Kilkenny Recreation and Sports Partnership to leisure and sporting activities around the county.
