Class of 2014 Set To Star At Schools Champs

After battling it out at local and regional level, the best of Irish schools’ athletics talent are ready to compete at the Aviva All Ireland Schools Track & Field Championships on Saturday, 31st of May at Tullamore Harriers Stadium.

This Aviva All Ireland Schools Finals is the culmination of months of tough competition for schools’ athletes throughout Ireland, who have progressed through regional and provincial championships to secure their much sought after place in the All-Ireland final.

Already in the Aviva Provincial Championships the class of 2014 have made their mark with a number of eye catching performances. Harry Purcell (Castleknock College) scorched to a 47.82 clocking over 400m to win the Leinster title. He also won the 800m in a time of 1.53.36 and will look to repeat this double at All Ireland level.

Irish Junior International sprinters Zak Irwin (Sligo Grammer) and Keith Doherty (Drimnagh Castle) are set to battle it out in the senior boy’s 100m and 200m events.

Gina Akpe Moses was in great form winning both the 100m (12.33) and the 200m (25.58) intermediate titles at Leinster level. The highly rated St. Vincent’s Dundalk athlete is tipped to replicate this form at All Ireland level on Saturday. Molly Scott is another of those impressing in the intermediate age category and she will start as favourite in the 100m hurdles.

Megan Marrs (Strathearn, Holywood) is another of those rounding into top form and will challenge for medals in the intermediate 100m and 200m events.

The senior girl’s 800m could prove to be the race of the day with Siofra Cleirigh Buttner (Colaiste Iosagain) aiming to defend the title she won last year. Cleirigh Buttner will renew rivalry in Tullamore with Aislinn Crossey (Sacred Heart Newry) who finished fourth in the 800m final at last year’s European Junior Championships ahead of Buttner. Nadia Power (St McDara’s) should go well in the intermediate girl’s 1,500m event after a string of fine performances at provincial level.

Irish International Cross Country athlete Kevin Mulcaire (St Flannans) will target the 1,500m and 3,000m double in the senior boy’s category. Andrew Coscoran (St Mary’s Drogheda) and school mate Aaron Hanlon will start as the slight favourites’ in the respective senior boy’s 1,500m and 5,00m events.

Alice Akers (Skariff CC) impressed at the Munster championships by winning the senior girl’s hammer title with a massive throw of 52.97m. David Cussen (Colaiste an Spioroid Naoimh) soared over 2.10m to win the high jump at the same Championships, he will start as the firm favourite to capture the All Ireland title.