Large Turnout for 51st Annual Student Games in Monavea
The 51st Annual Student Games attracted a large crowd to Monavea on Friday evening, with
pupils from across the area enjoying a successful and well-supported event.
St Abbans was awash with children, teachers, schools and parents who ensured the event
was a great success in introducing athletes to Track and Field athletics. Many of the club
athletes also had the novelty of competing against some of their clubmates when
representing their respective schools. Lots of volunteers helped to ensure the smooth
running of the event. The club wish to extend their thanks to event sponsor Kelly Agri
Consultants for their continued support.
When the scores were added together the grouping of Mayo, Newtown, Killeen, Ballylinan
and Arles National Schools took overall honours, finishing first on 147 points. Ballyadams
and Timahoe National Schools placed second on 141 points, while Killeshin and
Graiguecullen National Schools secured third place with 123 points.
Attention now turns to the club’s annual sports, which will take place on Monday, May 4.

Athletes Shine at Laois Road Race Championships
St Abbans athletes delivered impressive performances at the Laois Intermediate and Junior
Road Race Championships in Portarlington on Sunday morning, securing multiple individual
and team honours.
Rachel Ayres and John Delaney both claimed Junior titles, with Ayres also finishing first in
the Intermediate Women’s race to complete an outstanding double victory. In the Junior
Men’s event, Kalem Buggy and Shayne Stynes added to the club’s success by securing the
remaining individual medals.
The club celebrated team victories in both Junior races. The Junior Women’s team of Rachel
Ayres, Katie Harnett and Chelsey Dooley took gold, while the Junior Men’s team of John
Delaney, Kalem Buggy and Shayne Stynes also secured first place.
In the Intermediate Men’s race, Paddy Dunne led the club home with a strong third-place
finish, helping the men’s team of Paddy Dunne, Eoin Mincin, Liam Byrne and Francis Fleming
secure bronze medals. The Intermediate Women were represented by Rachel Ayres, Cathy
Lawlor and Deirdre Delaney, sadly one member short of the four needed for a team.
Overall, it was a successful outing for the club, with athletes producing excellent
performances across both individual and team competitions.

Impressive performances at IUAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships
Our university athletes produced strong performances while representing their universities
at the IUAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Cork over the weekend.

Grace Fitzgerald (UCD) delivered an excellent all-round showing, finishing fifth in the
Women’s Long Jump with a leap of 5.27m before claiming bronze in the Women’s Triple
Jump with 11.11m. Lucy Fitzgerald (UCC) also competed well in the Long Jump, placing sixth
with 5.12m.
Aoibheann McDonald (UCD) secured the club’s standout result of the championships,
winning gold in the Women’s Pole Vault with a clearance of 2.90m