Following the success of the KitKat Irish Schools' Track & Field Championships of the 3rd June, next Saturday sees the KitKat Tailteann Interprovincial held at the same venue, Tullamore, starting at 11.30am. These games originally held every four years in ancient Ireland mirrored the more famous Olympic Games held similarly every four years at Olympia in Greece. They were revived in 1924 and were held again in 1928 and 1932 when they were discontinued. It was with great foresight that the late Jack Sweeney and Bill Hyland revived these games as a junior festival in 1963 and they have been held every year since then. Next Saturday in Tullamore will be the 44th staging of the KitKat Tailteann Interprovincial. As usual there will be a great day’s athletics in store for the spectators. The boys' competition will see a number of outstanding young athletes in action. In the sprints we had some great races in the All-Ireland in Tullamore and we are looking forward to repeat performances. Gerard O’Reilly, Bailieboro CC, Ciarain O’Cathain, Marist Athlone, Michael Hynes, St Paul’s, and Patrick McCarron, St MacCartan’s, will all be in contention. In the Boys events we can look forward to some good running in the Middle Distance races. In the 1500m Ian Ward, Royal & Prior, Ryan Faulkner, St Malachy’s, and Eoin McDonnell, St Aidan’s CBS could provide the race of the day. In the 3000m Craig Murphy, Douglas CS, and Conor Dooney, CBC Monkstown, are very closely matched. In the Girls' events we can expect some great races as we have a number of outstanding young talents at this age group. In the sprints Niamh Whelan, Presentation Waterford, will try once again for a sprint double like she did in the All-Ireland. In the 80m Hurdles we another outstanding talent in Kalyn Sheahan, Ursuline Waterford. She will be hoping for a double in the 300m Hurdles. Harriett Cross, Bandon GS, was close to the record in the All-Ireland 300m here she could threaten a similar record. While in the middle distance events we will see some fine races. In the 3000m we have Charlotte Ffrench-O’Carroll, Loreto St Stephen’s Green, who will be hoping for another top class performance and maybe another record breaking one. In the Field Events expect a battle in the High Jump between the All-Ireland Champion, Grainne Moggan, Sancta Maria, and Maeve Farrell, Eureka Kells, who is capable of similar heights. Imelda Morrison, Colaiste Eoin Youghal, and Hannah Lewis, Bloomfield Collegiate, will continue where they left off in the All-Ireland. In the boys High Jump there will be another battle between Jason Harvey, Campbell College, and Gary Coulter, Ballymena Academy. An exciting day's athletics is in prospect in Tullamore next Saturday where the next generation of Ireland's young athletes will be on view. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: Avril Collins / Angie Grant Tel: 01 676 0168 Weber Shandwick FCC Mobiles: 086 3964368 / 086 3772791 John Shields Tel: 087 2633376 e-mail: john_shields@iol.ie
