Kate O’Connor of St Vincent’s Dundalk made the perfect start to the new season when she won the junior title for a second year at the Leinster Schools Combined Events Championships in Athlone yesterday. Last season, O’Connor won Leinster and All Ireland titles and finished third at the SIAB Schools Indoor International in Glasgow. Her total of 3545 points put her well clear of the field. Gabriel Bell of DLS Dundalk won the junior boys’ title with 2551 points.
In a closely-fought inter girls competition, Bronagh Walsh of St Leo’s Carlow beat Emma Cheshire from St Vincent’s Dundalk, and last year’s champion Niamh Kelly of Sacred Heart Drogheda. All three girls went over 3000 points. There were no entries at senior level.
Tomas Connolly of Colaiste Chiaran battled it out with David McDonald of CBS Wexford to win the inter boys title. David Dagg of St Benildus produced a storming final lap to win the 800m and finish third.
St Mary’s Enniscorthy dominated the boys’ senior competition, taking the top three places. Winner was Tim Bowler, last year’s inter champion, with a score of 3200. Second and third were James Fortune and Peter O’Connor.
Big numbers turned out for the minor competition, which continued until late in the afternoon. Ella Duane of 
Cross and Passion Kilcullen won the girls’ title while a huge 13.81m in the shot gave Jonathan Commins of Ardee CC a clear victory among the boys.
The top four in junior, inter and senior qualify for the All Irelands on Saturday November 7 in Athlone. Juniors and inters are eligible for the schools indoor international in Glasgow on December 12.
Results (PM me if you want a full result courtesy of the Leinster Schools AA):
Girls – Minor: 1 Ella Duane (C&P Kilcullen) 2803, 2 Rhian Kidd (Pres Carlow) 2709, 3 Susie Nestor (Maynooth PP) 2610. Junior: 1 Kate O’Connor (St Vincent’s Dundalk) 3545, 2 Ruby Millett ( Kilkenny College) 3188, 3 Rachel Kelly (Loreto Kilkenny) 2959. Inter: 1 Bronagh Walsh (St Leo’s Carlow) 3172, 2 Emma Cheshire (St Vincent’s Dundalk) 3104, 3 Niamh Kelly (SH Drogheda) 3073. Senior: none.
Boys – Minor: 1 Jonathan Commins (Ardee CC) 2561, 2 Ciaran Carthy (St Michael’s) 2148, 3 Eoghan McGrath (Kilcullen) 2018. Junior: 1 Gabriel Bell (DLS Dundalk) 2551, 2 Max Carey ( Lucan CS) 2364, 3 Eoin Keenan (Portlaoise CBS) 2175. Inter: 1 Tomas Connolly (Col Chiarain) 3053, 2 David McDonald (Wexford CBS) 3016, 3 David Dagg (St Benildus) 2843. Senior: 1 Tim Bowler 3200, 2 James Fortune 2632, 3 Peter O’Connor 2408. (All St Mary’s Enniscorthy)
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