Schools Cross Country League 2014
The final round of the three county schools cross country league took place in Carlow on Tuesday November 11th. This was the culmination of three rounds of cross country races involving over thirty schools from Carlow, Laois and Kildare. This annual event allows schools introduce students to the adventures of cross country and also helps prepare teams for the South Leinster cross country championships which take place in January. The league is team-based with the results over the three rounds contributing to an overall score. The final round of the competition is held in a cross country relay format. This heightens the excitement and spectacle as the results in each category are usually dependent upon the outcome of the relays.
Clubs & Schools
This event is an excellent example of co-operation between clubs and schools. The venues were provided by Knockbeg College, Newbridge College and St Laurence O’Toole’s AC. The courses were prepared by the schools, the Kildare County Board and St Laurence O’Toole’s AC. Club members from the various counties attend and assist at the events. Important links are established to assist schools in their athlete preparation and this is reciprocated with young athletes being directed towards clubs.
Team Performance
The focus of the league is participation and the prizes are allocated for team performance rather than individual results. The schools are divided into various divisions within the age categories. There are seventeen different divisions which affords everyone the opportunity to be competitive.
Challenge Conditions
The weather on Tuesday was very challenging with persistent rain but this did not diminish the enthusiasm of the participants. There were almost 700 students competing for their schools and the standard was extremely high. The commitment of the athletes was impressive in the muddy conditions. The results were finalised almost immediately and the prizes were distributed between sixteen schools in total. Prominent among the winners were St Leo’s Carlow, St Mary’s Naas and Newbridge College in the girl’s league. Knockbeg College, Patrician Newbridge and Naas CBS enjoyed success in the boy’s events.
This was the seventh year of the league and it continues to grow bigger each year. The schools have embraced it and it’s now a firm fixture on the autumn sports calendar for the pupils in the counties of Carlow, Laois and Kildare.