The KitKat Irish Schools’ team claimed a notable victory at the annual Schools’ Combined Events International in the Kelvin Hall last Saturday, December 8th, when the Under 18 Boys’ Team were victorious over England. This was the first time in over 20 years of this competition that England had been beaten. Going into the last event the boys were lying in second place and only tremendous runs by all four competitors in the 800m saw them overhaul England to win by 15 points. Campbell College’s Jason Harvey with 2.02.46 brought him from 5th to 2nd in the individual competition. Ben Reynolds, Sullivan Upper School, in 5th place, Francis Egan, Knockbeg College, in 9th and Gavin Kennedy, DLS Waterford, in 12th place made notable contributions to the team success. All four of the boys were over 3,000 points. The key to the success was the improvement of Francis Egan from Knockbeg College Carlow, who scored 3,206 points. The Under 18 Girls’ team took second place with Sandra Lawler, St Mary’s Naas, producing a number of PB’s to take the bronze medal. A great start to the day by Sandra who ran 8.87 secs in the 60 Hurdles, which was the third fastest time. She ended the day with a superb run of 2.31.15 in the 800m. The Under 16 Boys’ Team battled all the way to take the bronze medals. Joanna Mills, Ballyclare High School, was in contention for a medal throughout the day and ended up in a creditable second place. She ran 9.12 secs in the hurdles which was the fastest time and jumped the second best long jump with 5.42m. Under 18 Boys’ 1. David Guest Wales 3,856pts. 2. Jason Harvey Ireland 3,509pts. 3. Ben Gregory England 3,492pts. 5. Ben Reynolds Ireland 3,444pts. 9. Francis Egan Ireland 3,206pts. 12. Gavin Kennedy Ireland 3,062pts. Team 1. Ireland 10,159pts. 2. England 10,144pts 3. Scotland 9,685pts. Under 18 Girls’ 1. Alice Lennox England 3,514pts. 2. Lauren O’Reilly Wales 3,262pts. 3. Sandra Lawler Ireland 3,177pts. 8. Orla Finn Ireland 3,052pts. 11. Rebecca McAllister Ireland 2,925pts. 16. Sarah Shovlin Ireland 2,700pts. Team 1. England 9,743pts. 2. Ireland 9,154pts. 3. Wales 9,129pts. 4. Scotland 8,960pts. Under 16 Boys’ 1. Joseph Hutchinson England 3,293pts. 2. Michael Downie Scotland 3,205pts. 3. Cameron Irwin England 3,146pts. 5. Steven Colwell Ireland 2,943pts. 9. Sipke Shaughnessy Ireland 2,737pts. 12. Stephen Kelly Ireland 2,673pts. 16. Simon Callaghan Ireland 2,469pts. Team 1. England 9,314pts. 2. Scotland 8,808pts. 3. Ireland 8,359pts. Under 16 Girls 1. Katarina Thompson England 3,769pts. 2. Joanna Mills Ireland 3,252pts. 3. Jazmin Sawyers England 3,184pts. 10. Chloe Fahy Ireland 2,830pts. 14. Tara Fogarty Ireland 2,669pts. 16. Ailish Sheehan Ireland 2,558pts. Team 1. England 9,982pts. 2. Scotland 9,067pts. 3. Wales 8,763pts. 4. Ireland 8,751pts.
