Harry Purcell wins in USA

There was success for Trim athlete Harry Purcell Stateside on Saturday when he won the 400m at the Big East Conference track and field meet in Geneva, Ohio.

The Big East is the premier regional outdoor collegiate athletics meeting and Purcell ran 48.11 to win in the colours of Villanova University.

LEINSTER SCHOOLS
Bohermeen athlete Kevin McGrath was back to his best at Morton Stadium, Santry last Saturday when the cream of Leinster Schools athletics was on view

McGrath was in action in the senior boys 1500m, a move to the longer distance, having won the last three All-Ireland schools titles over 800m.

He was favourite for the race and running in the colours of St Parick’s CS, Navan he was content to sit close to the front for three laps and then made his decisive move at about 200 metres from home to win in just under the four-minute mark.

He will contest the All-Ireland Schools Championships at Tullamore on Saturday 4th June.

Five athletes from Ashbourne CS competed in nine events with Keith Marks and Shane Joyce winning two gold and one silver medal each.

Marks competed in the senior boys high jump and won gold with a jump of 1.90m before having to rush to the long jump where he also won gold when he jumped 7.36m a (PB) and new Leinster schools record.

Joyce took gold in the senior boys triple jump with a jump of 14.29m (PB) and later competed in the javelin winning with a throw of 54.80m.

Joyce and Marks were joined by Luke Redmond and Michael O’Sullivan in the senior boys relay where they won the silver medal.

Shauna White was also in actionm but just mised out on a medal.

Alanna Gonsalves from Scoil Mhuire in Trim put in a great effort when she jumped 5.35m (PB) to finish second in the long jump and secure her place in the All-Ireland finals also.