Harry Purcell Impresses At Aviva Leinster Schools Championships

The Aviva Leinster Schools Track & Field Championships took place in Santry Stadium on Saturday, 17th of May with many future stars on show trying to qualify for the Aviva All Ireland Schools Championships.

Keith Doherty from Drimnagh Castle came out on top in both the Senior Boys 100m (11.08) and 200m (22.33). This is a great start to the season for Keith who will be aiming to represent Ireland at the World Junior Championships as part of the 4×100m relay team. In the intermediate boy’s sprint event Sean Lawlor of Kylemore College also completed a double winning the 100m in a time of 11.24 and the 200m in a time of 23.21.

Harry Purcell from Castleknock College had a fantastic 400m in the senior Boys race where he finished first with a time of 47.82 which is fourth fastest in the country so far this season. He also won the 800m in a time of 1.53.36.

Jamie Murtagh from Asbourne cleared a fine jump of 2.05m in the High Jump to win out over his competitors by a whole 5cm.

In the Inter Boys Blackrock College’s students had a great competition setting Leinster Schools records in both the 400m by Brian Masterson in a time of 49.49 and the 4×100m relay in a time of 44.25.

Mustafa Nasir from HFCS Rathcoole represented his school brilliantly with a double of his own in the 800m and in the 1500m (4.14.82).

Eoin Sheridan from St. Finians Mullingar threw 55.74m in the discus to win out over his opponents by 5m.

The girls side was also an exciting affair with three athletes (Elizabeth Morland, Anne Marie Tornsey, Siofra Cleirigh Buttner) in competition who will be moving on to represent Ireland in future championships.

Elizabeth Morland from Dunshaughlin CC had a fine display in the long jump with a jump of 5.52m to win. She will be forgoing the Aviva All Ireland Schools Championships to represent Ireland in the European Youth Olympic Games having qualified for three events (long jump, high jump and 100m hurdles). Morland will contest the 100m hurdles event in Baku, Azerbaijan.

Gina Akpe Moses from St. Vincent’s Dundalk was in great form winning both the 100m (12.33) and the 200m (25.58) in the inter Girls.

Anne Marie Tornsey from Loreto Swords, who will also be competing in the European Youth Olympic Games, won out in the shot putt (12.41m) and in the discus (34.27m).

In the Senior Girls, Loreto Kilkenny had a fantastic championship with Cliodhna Manning and Sarah Kate Lacey finishing first and second in both the 100m and 200m. They also ran in the 4×100m winning that also in a time of 48.29.

Siofra Cleirigh Buttner from Colaiste Iosagain was dominant in her events finish first in both the 800m (2.07.3) and the 1500m (4.37.13). Buttner is also targeting a place on the Irish team for the World Junior Championships in Eugene in July.