National medal, school's quiz success and cross country glory for Laois athletics club

It was a productive few days for St Abban’s AC across competition and club activities, with athletes competing at the national and provincial level. At the same time, the club also hosted its annual Schools Quiz final.

The highlight came at the National Senior Indoor Track & Field Championships, where Matthew Rossiter secured bronze in the men’s pole vault. There were also several strong performances from club athletes on the track and field, alongside All-Ireland Schools Cross Country qualifications and a well-attended Schools Quiz final.

Bronze for Matthew Rossiter at National Seniors

Athletes from St Abban’s AC delivered strong performances at the National Senior Indoor Track & Field Championships over the weekend, highlighted by a podium finish for Matthew Rossiter. The Championships were a very popular event, with tickets sold out for Sunday, highlighting this. 

Matthew Rossiter secured his first National Senior medal with a bronze in the men’s pole vault, clearing 4.00 m. He was unlucky at 4.20 not to make a clearance, but will be delighted with this performance and his first National medal. 

Maisy O’Sullivan impressed in the women’s 800 m, qualifying from her heat in 2:08.52 before placing fifth in the final with a time of 2:10.32. Katie Baldwin finished tenth in the women’s triple jump with a best effort of 10.14 m.

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Eoghan Buggy ran well in the men’s 400 m heats, placing second in his race in 51.21 s. In the men’s 800 m, John Delaney placed third in his heat in 1:54.42, which was just outside the fastest qualifiers spot. 

Ger Kelly recorded a sixth-place finish in the men’s 56 lb weight for distance with 5.82 m. Cheryl Nolan narrowly missed the podium in the women’s 3000 m, finishing fourth in 9:25.85. This race went right down to the last 200m, with 5 ladies in contention at the bell.  Aoibhín McDonald placed fifth in the women’s pole vault with a clearance of 2.80 m.

Overall, the championships marked a successful outing for the club, with Rossiter’s breakthrough national medal and several strong finals and top-six finishes across the athletes in action for the club. Well done to everybody involved, and we look forward to seeing them transition into the outdoor season in the coming weeks. 

St Abban’s Schools Quiz Final

Twenty-five teams took part in the final of the St Abban’s Schools Quiz this week. Scoil Phadraig, Athy, claimed first place with an impressive 57 points out of 60, with their schoolmates finishing second on 55 points. Ballinabranna secured third place after 10 tie-break questions against Arles NS.

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Organisers thanked the students, teachers and parents for their support, and paid special tribute to Pauline and her team, who hosted approximately 75 teams over three nights of competition.

Leinster Schools Cross Country

Club athletes delivered strong performances while representing their schools at the rescheduled Leinster Schools Cross Country in Navan.

Ella Murray (St Leo’s College, Carlow), Sinead Fitzpatrick (Heywood CS, Laois), Laura Ayres (St Leo’s College, Carlow) and John Conway (Knockbeg College, Carlow) all secured qualification for the All-Ireland Schools Championships, which take place on March 7 in Newtownabbey. Fitzpatrick claimed an impressive silver medal in the Junior Girls race.

There were also notable team performances from St Leo’s College, Carlow and Knockbeg College, both of whom recorded top-10 finishes in the Junior Girls and Intermediate Boys categories.