North Down AC Primary School Minis Competition, 30/04/25
From the FUNdamentals training group, lots of North Down AC’s youngest athletes made a very encouraging start to
the Mini Meets series. The first of three meets took place at Bangor sportsplex on Wednesday 30th April.
Our first athlete to compete in the P5 girls was Orin Moorhouse (Ballymagee PS) – finishing
3rd in her heat of the 80m sprint in a great time of 14.1 seconds. A few minutes later, Isla
Little (St. Comgall’s PS) and Lucy Kane (Donaghadee PS) took 1st and 2nd places in their
heat with times of 13.2 & 14.3 seconds; Isla’s time being quick enough to finish joint-second
overall.
All 3 girls competed in the 600m race. Isla (2.23:6) claimed the bronze medal by finishing
third, with Lucy (2.33:1) and Orin (2.48:3) close behind.
Isla then made sure she went home with a medal in each colour, by taking the gold medal in
the long jump with a jump of 2.49m; while Orin claimed a silver medal in the shot put with a
fine throw of 6.03m.
In the P5 boys’ section, Ezra Blanc (Ballyholme PS) took 3rd place in his 80m heat, in a
speedy time of 13.5 seconds, while Rory McDonald (Rockport) finished in a time of 15.1
seconds. Both boys took part in a very fast 600m race; Ezra finishing 9th in a hard-fought
2.14:4 and Rory completing the 1 ½ laps in 3.29:4.
In the sandpit Ezra was just a few centimetres outside of the medal places with a jump of
2.80m, with Rory jumping 1.38m. Rory also took part in the shot-put event, throwing a very
creditable 2.39m.
There was very little to separate our P6 Girls – Holly Shields (Ballyholme PS) and Aria Wright
(Model PS) – across the three events they competed in.
Over the 80m sprint race, Holly ran a superb time of 14.0 seconds in Heat 2, with Aria
finishing in 14.4 seconds in Heat 3. Over the 600m distance, Holly ran a time of 2.47:2 with
Aria completing the distance in 2.58:9. Finally in the sandpit Holly cleared a distance of
2.41m, with Aria just a few centimetres back in 2.33m.
The Junior Middle Distance group also had a number of athletes competing. In the P5 boys
60m, Casey Seaton (Glencraig PS) finished in 12.4 seconds, whilst Rory McCullough
(Ballyholme PS) finished in 12.8 seconds, Thomas Close (St Comgall’s PS) in 13.2 seconds
and Rory’s twin Finn (Ballyholme PS) in 13.6 seconds. In the 600m Casey had a great run to
finish 1st in 2.00.5, whilst Rory was 3rd in 2.05.9, Finn 4th in 2.07.4 and Thomas was 8th in
2.13.9. It was a gold medal for Rory in the long jump where he jumped 3.11m. In the same
event Casey was 5th (2.81m) and Finn was 8th (2.71m).
In the P6 boys Harrison Mair (St Comgall’s PS) and Daly Seaton (Glencraig PS) shared 3rd
place in the 80m with a time of 12.1 seconds. In the 600m Daly was 2nd in 1.57.6, whilst
Harrison was 3rd in 2.03.2. In the long jump Harrison was 9th (2.68m) whilst Daly was 11th
(2.6m) and finally in the shot-put, Harrison was 8th (4.77m) whilst Daly was 10th (4.32m).
In the P7 girls it was a great evening for Rose Reavy of Towerview PS. She won the 100m in
14.8 seconds and the 600m in 2.03.3. She also got a silver medal in the long jump with a
jump of 3.43m. Her schoolmate Alani Santos went one better with a jump of
3.55m. Another Towerview athlete getting a medal was Molly Rankin who was 3rd in the
600m in 2.07.
Elsewhere Molly, Isla McQuillan (Sullivan Upper Prep) and Megan Walker (Londonderry PS)
all ran the 100m in 16 seconds, while Alani and Charlotte Walker of Ballymagee PS, ran it
in 16.7. Megan and Charlotte also took part in the 600m finishing 5th (2.21.2) and 11th (2.37.1)
respectively. In the long jump Megan was 6th (3.07m), Isla was 8th (2.77m) and Molly was 11th
(2.45m). in the shot-put, Isla was 5th (5.86m), Megan was 8th (4.95m), Alani was 10th (4.9m)
and Molly was 15th (4.35m).
In the P7 boys, Ben Dumigan of Towerview was 1st in the 100m in 14 seconds, 2nd in the long
jump (3.73m) and 6th in the shot-put (6.01m) before having to retire with an injury. Also taking
part in the 100m were Sam Beattie (Ballyholme PS) who finished in 15.1 seconds, Casper
Pike (Ballyholme PS – 16.6 seconds) and Lucas Mair (Killard House – 20 seconds). Sam
picked up a bronze medal in the long jump (3.35m) and finished 6th in the 600m in 2.14.9.
Casper was 4th in the long jump (3.18m), shot-put (6.38m) and the 600m (2.10.6). Lucas also
took part in the 600m (11th in 2.55.2), long jump (14th with a jump of 1.78m) and the shot-put
(12th with a throw of 3.37m). Also competing was Reuben Dunne of Towerview PS who was
7th in the long jump (3.11m), 10th in the 600m (2.41.9) and 11th in the shot-put (5.05m).Finally,
Robert McCrea of Clandeyboye PS ran the 100m in 17.1 seconds and was 10th in the long-
jump (2.98m).
Several athletes from the Junior Track & Field training group took part, with Sam Beattie
(Ballyholme PS) covering the 100m sprint distance in 15.1 seconds. Robert McCrea
(Clandeboye PS) followed closely on Sam’s heels with a time of 17.1 seconds.
In the longer distance 600m race Sam battled to a 6th place finish in a time of 2.14:9, then
followed this up by taking a bronze medal for 3rd place in the long jump – clearing 3.35m.
Also in the sandpit, Robert produced a fine jump and narrowly missed out on breaking the
3m distance, with a 2.98m jump.
Saving his best for last, Sam then rounded off his evening by breaking through the 7m
distance in the shot put – throwing a fine 7.05m distance to take home the gold medal.
The 2025 events are sponsored by Active Youth NI and the next events will take place will be held at Bangor Sportsplex on the following dates:
- Wednesday 30th April 2025 – RESULTS
- Wednesday 28th May 2025
- Wednesday 18th June 2025
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1R1u8DsxU0zIWQyIbkJqbhlp9mDNBiZt6V9rGvUqUdKo/edit?gid=0#gid=0
Hill & Dale 4, Binnian to the Top, 01/05/25
Beyond track distances, the 4th Hill & Dale Race of the series is traditionally the shortest race that any North Down athletes, particularly the hard core mountain runners take on. The distance may only be 3.4k but the elevation of 560m makes it one of the shortest, sharpest climbs in the Mournes. Starting at Carrick Little 13 club members raced to the finish line at the top of Slieve Binnian where they had the to briefly admire the views before making their way back to the car parks at the start. 3 of the NDAC runners, Abby Andrews, F50, June McMinn F65 and John Adgey M80 won their age groups in the mountain race.
David McKeague was the first North Down AC man on the summit in 18th place in 30:06. Gareth Hardy 34:02, Ben Jenkins 37:16 and Abby Andrews 38:52 were followed by Jeremy Tomalin 38:57, Kevin Mulligan 40:143 and Lisa Tomalin 41:47. June McMinn 42:38 finished ahead of Glynis Boyle 43:01, Claire Scott 45:04, John Adgey 49:20, Cara Jeffrey 49:58 and Trevor Patterson 54:03.
https://www.webscorer.com/racedetails?raceid=388129&did=514435
This week saw the start of the Ulster Schools Track and Field Athletics season with a
spectacular representation from North Down AC, some outstanding performances
and Ulster qualifications galore! Performances of note include District Records for
Jessica Liddle achieving 1.50m in the Minor Girls High Jump, Roger McMullan in the
Intermediate Boys Long Jump (6.46m) and Cameron McCracken in the Senior Boys
110m Hurdles (14.38s). Congratulations also to Matthew McKnight, Cameron
McCracken, Oliver Playfair and Anna Moran on their double district gold
achievements. A number of North Down athletes contributed to successful school
relay teams including Eva Patton who helped Glenlola achieve a new District Record
in the Intermediate Girls 4 x 100m. The District competition continues next week with
the minis, minors and juniors competition.
Minor Girls
75mH – 1st Poppy Earl (Glenlola), 2nd Nyla Hughes (Sullivan)
High Jump – 1st Jessica Liddle (PB) (Glenlola), 2nd Jean Robinson (Sullivan)
Junior Girls
Hammer – 1st Erin Coard (Regent)
75mH – 4th Lucy Kernaghan (PB) (Glenlola)
1500m- 3rd Caitlyn Dickenson (Glenlola) who has now qualified for the Ulster Championships.
Intermediate Boys
100m – 8th Ethan Cobain (PB) (Glastry)
400m – 2nd Tomas Montgomery (PB) (BGS)
100m Hurdles – 2nd Josh Liggett (Campbell)
400m Hurdles – 3rd Josh Liggett
3000m – 2nd Ethan Constable (PB) (BGS)
Long Jump – 1st Roger McMullen (PB) (Sullivan), 2nd Harry Jackson (Regent)
Triple Jump – 1st Harry Jackson
Intermediate Girls
100m – 2nd Eva Patton (Regent), 3rd Maisie Christie (Glenlola), 4th Ruby Sterrett
(Glenlola)
80m Hurdles – 2nd Eva Paton (Sullivan), 3rd Caoimhe Fenlon (Sullivan)
Long Jump – 1st Anna Moran (Sullivan), 2nd Maisie Rainer (PB) (Strathearn)
High Jump – 1st Paige Shaw (Glastry), 3rd Grace Arnold (Glenola)
Triple Jump – 1st Maisie Rainer (PB) (Strathearn), 2nd Abbie Irwin (PB) (Sullivan)
Shot – 5th Caoimhe Fenlon, Victoria Ifonlaja (Sullivan)
Javelin – 1st Anna Moran
Discus – 3rd Abbie Irwin
In the Senior Boys
100m – 1st Cameron McCracken (PB) (RBAI)
200m – 1st Curtis Hughes (Sullivan)
400m – 2nd Daniel Constable (PB) (BGS)
110m Hurdles – 1st Cameron McCracken (PB) (District B), 1st Matthew McKnight
(District A)
400m Hurdles – 1st Matthew McKnight (PB) (Campbell), 3rd Daniel Constable
1500m – 1st Oliver Playfair (Sullivan)
1500m Steeplechase – 1st Oliver Playfair
Long Jump – 1st Daniel Constable (PB), 2nd Harry Jackson
Triple Jump – 1st Harry Jackson (Regent)
Senior Girls
200m – 3rd Izzy Couley (Bloomfield)
400m – 4th Tabitha Moran (PB) (Sullivan)
100m Hurdles – 3rd Tilly Tweedie (Glenlola)
Discus – 3rd Tabitha Moran
Mark Walker Anglo-Celtic Plate, Mallory Park 03/04/25
Ultrarunning specialist, Mark Walker was selected as a member of the Northern Irish team at the Anglo-Celtic Plate British and Irish 100k Championships at the Mallory Park motor racing circuit near Leicester on Saturday. Athletes completed a shortened lap then 20 full laps of the undulating circuit. He finished 17th male and won the British Masters M55 Championship Gold Medal in 8:06:50.
Nick Anderson, Prague Marathon 04/05/25
