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Volume 1 (1999/2000)
Issue
1 (March 1999)
Issue
2 (Nov. 1999)
Issue 3 (Dec. 1999)
Issue 4 (Feb. 2000)
Issue 5 (March 2000)
Issue 6 (April 2000)
Issue
7 (May 2000)
Volume 2 (2000/2001)
Issue 1 (Sept. 2000)
Issue 2 (Oct. 2000)
Issue 3 (Jan. 2001)
Issue 4 (March 2001)
Issue 5 (April 2001)
Issue 6 (May 2001)
Volume 3 (2001)
Issue 1 (Sept. 2001)
Issue 2 (Nov. 2001)
Categories
Sport: 1
2 3
Lifestyles: 1 2
3
Commentary: 1 2
3
Review: 1 2
3
Writing: 1 2
3
Event: 1 2
3
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Kenny Caldwell, Craig Hughes and Karl Kildea
St. Macartan's College, Monaghan
Macartans become All-Ireland Cross-country
Champions for the first time in their history. Kenny Caldwell, Craig Hughes
and Karl Kildea tell the story.
In mid-January on a cold wet day running trials were held at the Craigavon
Cross Border Run. This was the start of the cross-country season for the
Inter Boys of St. Macartan's College Monaghan. The team achieved great
success on the day with six runners in the top ten and preparation began
for the first round of the Irish Schools Cross Country Championships.
The first test was at Lurgan where the boys easily qualified with runners
taking the first four places. The next test would be more challenging.
The Ulster Finals were held over the muddy course at Mallusk in Belfast
and on the day, like previous years, the weather was miserable. The strong
wind and wet conditions left the course very heavy and demanding. Despite
this the team fought well throughout the race and in the end finished
highly placed. The tension mounted as the scores for individual runners
were added together to get team scores. It came down to a tie for first
place, both ourselves and the well established St. Columbs from Derry
had 39 points each. After much controversy and speculation, we were officially
named Ulster Champions. Now a trip to Dungarvan and a shot at the All
Ireland Title awaited the team.
New tracksuits sponsored by Brendan Beggan of the Irish Nationwide and
a nights stay in Waterford prepared the boys well for what lay in store.
The Finals Day started and nerves made the boys realise the significance
of this event. A very fast course in warm, sunny, conditions was a change
from the norm in cross country running. However, this change did not hinder
the boys in any way and the grit and determination shown previously surfaced
once again. The boys pushed hard, jostling for positions, over the 5,000m
course and coming on to the last lap the boys were doing well. In the
end, St. Macartans finished with four runners in the top twenty. The team
scores were compiled and submitted to the organisers. After much hoping
and waiting we were officially named All Ireland Cross-Country Champions,
a first for St. Macartans! The champions cup was presented and taken home
with great celebration.
Inter Boys Cross Country Team: Ciaran O Connell, Karl Kildea,
Steven Sherlock, Craig Hughes, Mark Kelly, Kenny Caldwell and Paddy Meehan.
Also congratulations and good luck to Ciaran O Connell who, based on
his performance in Dungarvan, has been selected to represent the Irish
Schools Team in Scotland later this year.
Finally on behalf of all members of the team we would like to thank Mr.
Brendan Beggan for the kind donation of tracksuits for the team. Special
thanks also to Ms. Peoples, Mr. J. Dunne and Mr. Lee for their encouragement
and help throughout and for taking their own time to come and support
us in Dungarvan. We now look forward to a bright and progressive future
for the athletics in St. Macartans.
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