Primary School Cross Country – Brilliant Competitions

The South Tipperary / Kilkenny Cross Country Competition took place in summer like conditions last week in Marlfield GAA complex. This promotion was organised by Clonmel, Carrick on Suir, Fethard and Coolquill Athletic Clubs and it was a resounding success. The purpose of this promotion was an introduction to Cross Country for School pupils in the area and the categories were devised to ensure that schools had equal and good competition. The purpose was to encourage as many pupils to compete and so points were rewarded to all the teams that represented their School. At the Presentation of Prizes all the athletes were encouraged to join their local Athletic Club where they can participate in many other events regardless of ability and fitness. Over 900 athletes from 32 schools in the area competed in the 20 race programme which was very efficiently organised. The Clubs would like to thank Marlfield GAA club for the use of their fine facilities. Indeed the Clubs would like to thank Jerry Lyons and Helen for the very efficient and prompt publication of results, it all added to a well organised event, enjoyed by everyone. The Clubs would like to thank the many schools that put in such great work in preparing their athletes for this event. Competition was keen in all the 5 categories. Perpetual Shields were presented to the overall winners, which were decided by the combined performances of all the school’s athletes, in both the 3^rd and 4th Class and the 5^th and 6^th Class races, resulting in some very good competitions. In the Small Schools, with less than 40 pupils, Mohober National School won the best boys overall school while the best overall school award for the Girls in this category was won by Newtown Upper National School. In the Small School with a pupil roll call of between 40 and 70 the winner of the Girls Schools competition was Lisnamrock National School and they are the proud holders of the Vincent Fox Perpetual Shield. The winner of the Jack O Gorman Perpetual Shield for the Boys Schools in this category was also Lisnamrock National School. In the Medium Schools competition, the winners of the John Power Perpetual shield for the Girls Schools was Lisronagh National School while Lisronagh National School also won the Bill Hyland Perpetual Shield for the Boys Schools in this category. In the Large School St Michael’s of Tipperary Town were the proud winners of the Joe Holden Perpetual Shield for the Girls competition while Moyglass won the Jack Bergin Perpetual Shield for the best overall Boys School. In the Major School competition Presentation Convent Carrick on Suir were the proud winners of the Jim Cliffe Perpetual Shield while Peters and Pauls retained the Paddy Mullins Perpetual Shield for the Boys Schools. The Clubs would like to thank everyone who helped to organise this programme of events.