Portlaoise athlete claims All-Ireland Schools title

Portlaoise Athletics Club athlete Daniel Downey has added another major achievement to his growing list after winning the All-Ireland Schools Combined Events in Athlone Indoor Stadium.

Downey produced a winning performance at the national event and will now go on to represent Ireland at the International Schools Combined Events in Glasgow on November 14. It is another significant achievement for the Portlaoise athlete, who will now have the opportunity to compete for Ireland on the international stage.

Meanwhile, the October Bank Holiday weekend saw plenty of Portlaoise Athletics Club members take part in the Dublin Marathon.

The club was well represented in the race, with a mixture of experienced marathon runners and first-time participants taking on the challenge. Windy conditions greeted the runners, although the fact that the rain held off provided some consolation as they made their way around the 26.2-mile course.

Stephen Poleon was the first Portlaoise Athletics Club member home, recording an impressive time of 3:18. He was followed by Catherine O'Flanagan and Donal Heagney, who both completed the marathon in 3:35. Erin Thomas was making her first appearance in the Dublin Marathon and finished in a very respectable time of 3:54.

The club congratulated all of its members who took part, highlighting the huge dedication and commitment required to complete a marathon.

It was another successful weekend for Portlaoise Athletics Club, with Downey's national success followed by strong performances from the club's marathon runners in Dublin.