Well done to our athletes who took part in Skerries 5k on Saturday, some inspiring performances, a special word of Congratulations to Orla Bollard who was 1st Jnr Female and Daniel Kelly 1st Jnr Male!!

It was another fruitful day for Skerries AC athletes in the Leinster Schools XC Championships at Santry Demesne which is becoming a happy hunting ground for our competitors. Following a morning of wind and rain of almost biblical proportions, the Spring sun did shine through before the midday start and this optimism was certainly encapsulated by our athletes despite heavy underfoot conditions and a strong wind.In the Minor girls race, Sarah Whelan was very unlucky when falling close to the finishing line but managed to pick herself up from the mud and finish in a respectable 42nd position.Fortunes picked up in the Junior girls race which saw Eibhlin McCarthy (Loreto, Balbriggan) battle heroicly for a superb 13th position, securing qualification for the All-Ireland Schools XC on the 8th March in Cork IT.Competing in the Intermediate girls race were the all conquering team representing Skerries Community College who again claimed the Inter girls title following impressive performances, Rhona Pierce having the most successful podium finish of her schools career to date striding to victory and taking the Leinster Schools title ahead of her class mate Isabel Carron in 2nd. Equally precious points were picked up by Sarah Byrne in 22nd place and Laura Costello in 42nd. The girls taking the team title on 25 points ahead of Dominican, Wicklow on 40 points and Colaiste Iosagain on 70 points. The girls now travel to Cork with a realistic chance of repeating last years All-Ireland Schools victory.Also securing individual qualification for AI Schools in Cork in the Inter Girls race was the ever consistent Eryn Devine (Loreto, Balbriggan). She ran a very mature race in finishing an excellent 11th place.Our two athletes competing in the Senior events also emerged from their respective races with fine performances. Daniel Kelly competing for CUS in the Senior Boys 6k, we are awaiting confirmation of finishing position, had a credible run in stamina sapping conditions.Orla Bollard competing for Loreto, Balbriggan had qualification snatched from her grasp when narrowly missing out for 15th place after an exciting sprint finish, surely brighter days await for this dedicated and ever improving athlete.We now look forward to the prestigious All-Ireland Schools Championships in Cork IT on Saturday March 8th and wish our athletes the very best of luck.

Good luck to our members contesting tomorrows Leinster Schools XC Championships in Santry:Minor Girls: Sarah Whelan (Skerries CC)Junior Girls: Eibhlin McCarthy (Loreto, Balbriggan)Inter Girls: Rhona Pierce, Isabel Carron, Sarah Byrne, Laura Costello (Skerries CC), Eryn Devine (Loreto, Balbriggan)Senior Girls: Orla Bollard (Loreto, Balbriggan)Senior Boys: Daniel Kelly (CUS)

Top 3 Inter Girls (1) Rhona Pierce (2) Isabel Carron (3) Niamh Corry #lovemud

Also news that Eibhlin McCarthy (Junior girls) and Eryn Devine (Inter girls) finished inside top 15 and have secured qualification for the All-Ireland Schools XC.Hard luck to Sarah Whelan who suffered a nasty fall towards the end of the minor girls race!

Full credit to Orla Bollard in the Senior Girls race who had a great run but unfortunately was just pipped on the line and finished in 16th place!!

Mullingar was the venue for yesterdays North Leinster Schools XC. After the torrential downpour the previous night the conditions were less than favourable for all the athletes with underfoot conditions testing to say the least, nevertheless our warriors battled through each race and there were super performances from everyone! Results as follows:

Minor girls:
7th Sarah Whelan (Skerries CC) qualifying for Leinsters, 17th Mairead Ni Chleirigh(Loreto, Balbriggan), 43rd Roisin Owens, 49th Ciara Downey (both Skerries CC)

Junior girls:
7th Eibhlin McCarthy qualifying for Leinsters, 23rd Saoirse Waddilove, 26th Orla Thompson (all 3 athletes Loreto, Balbriggan), 38th Lauren Byrne (Skerries CC)
Junior Boys:
17th Stephen O’Connor (St. Josephs, Rush)

Intermediate girls:
1st Rhona Pierce, 4th Isabel Carron, 17th Sarah Byrne, 19th Laura Costello (all Skerries CC), Team 1st and qualifying for Leinsters
7th Eryn Devine (Loreto, Balbriggan) qualifying for Leinsters

Intermediate Boys:
38th Conor Tuck (Skerries CC)

Senior Girls:
5th Orla Bollard (Loreto, Balbriggan) qualifying for Leinsters
Well done to all and Congratulations to those who now go forward to Leinster Schools XC on Weds 12th Feb in Santry.

Congrats to the Intermediate Girls from the 1986 Intermediate boys champions (Team Gareth McQuillan, Mark O’Shea, Killian Keane, David O’Sullivan, Donal Connolly)