This weekend promises a feast of schools athletics as the KitKat Provincial schools championships take place Munster Schools The Munster Schools Athletics Association (MSAA) in partnership with Nestlé Ireland will host the 2006 KitKat Munster Track & Field Athletics Provincial Final on Saturday 20th May 2006. Budding athletes from all schools in the Munster region will compete against each other for the coveted title of KitKat Munster Schools Provincial Track & Field Athletics Champion and the opportunity to compete in the KitKat All Ireland Track & Field Athletics Final in Tullamore, Co. Offaly on Saturday, 3rd June 2006. Munster athletes to note at this event include Shane Quinn, De La Salle, Waterford and Ciara Cronin, Abbey CC Waterford. Both of these exciting young athletes will be looking to add a track title to the cross country accolades they secured earlier in the year. Waterford has a wealth of talent in schools athletics’ with four other similarly talented young athletes ready to make their mark. In the Long Jump Kelly Proper, St Paul’s Waterford is an exciting prospect as is Mairead Murphy, Mercy Waterford and Kalyn Sheahan, Ursuline Waterford, in the hurdles. Niamh Whelan, Presentation Waterford, who set records last year at junior level, is expected to perform similarly at intermediate level. Where: Cork Institute of Technology When: Events commence at 10:00am on Saturday 20th May Connacht Schools The Connacht Schools Athletics Association (CSAA) in partnership with Nestlé Ireland will host the KitKat Connacht Track & Field Athletics Provincial Final on Wednesday 17th May 2006. Budding athletes from all schools in the Connacht region will compete against one another for the coveted title of KitKat Connacht Schools Provincial Track & Field Champion and the opportunity to compete in the KitKat All Ireland Track & Field Final in Tullamore, Co. Offaly on Saturday, 3rd June 2006. Connacht athletes to note at this event include Claire Rockall, Calasanctius Oranmore, in the hurdles and Gerard Kelly, St Gerald’s Castlebar in the Hammer Where: Dangan Track, Galway When: Events commence at 10:30am on Wednesday May 17th 2006 Ulster Schools The Ulster Schools Athletics Association (USAA) in partnership with Nestlé Ireland will host the 2006 KitKat Ulster Track & Field Provincial Final on Friday 19th May and Saturday 20th May. Budding athletes from all schools in the Ulster region will compete against each other for the coveted title of KitKat Ulster Schools Provincial Track & Field Athletics Champion and the opportunity to compete in the KitKat All Ireland Track & Field Final in Tullamore, Co. Offaly on Saturday, 3rd June 2006. Ulster athletes to note at this event include, Jenny Brown, Magherafelt HS, in the shot, Gary Coulter, Ballymena Academy, and Jason Harvey, Campbell College, in the high jump. Also, look out for sprinters Jason Smyth, Limavaddy GS, Amy Foster, Glenlola CS and Gerard O’Reilly, Bailieboro CC. Where: Antrim Forum, Antrim When: Events commence at 4:00pm on Friday May 19th 2006 and 10:00am on Saturday May 20th 2006. Leinster Schools The Leinster Schools Athletics Union (LSAU) in partnership with Nestlé Ireland will host the 2006 KitKat Leinster Track & Field Athletics Provincial Final on Wednesday 17th May 2006. Budding athletes from all schools in the Leinster region will compete against each other for the coveted title of KitKat Leinster Schools Provincial Track & Field Athletics Champion and the opportunity to compete in the KitKat All Ireland Track & Field Athletics Final in Tullamore, Co. Offaly on Saturday, 3rd June 2006. Leinster athletes to note at this event include Aoife Hickey, Loreto Kilkenny, in the hammer, the Ffrench-O’Carroll twins, Charlotte and Rebecca, from Loreto St Stephen’s Green, Pamela Hughes, King’s Hospital in the high jump and her school mate, Sarah Treacy who will be hoping to continue her winning streak of schools’ titles in middle distance, having been successful for the last four years. Others athletes who are sure to case a stir include John Coghlan, son of world champion athlete Eamon Coghlan, from Castleknock College, Luke Mangan, Belvedere College, in the shot, and Anthony McCreery, Belvedere College, who holds the title of national indoor pole vault champion. Where: Santry Stadium, Dublin 9. When: Events commence at (11:00am on Wednesday May 17th 2006) and 9am on Saturday 20th May. This year marks the 44th anniversary of Nestlé Ireland’s sponsorship of the KitKat Irish Schools’ Athletics Association and programme of events. The sponsorship funds the organisation of nationwide and regional competitions enabling over 25,000 young budding athletes in over 850 post primary schools across Ireland to participate in the KitKat Irish Schools’ Athletics competitions.