The Aviva All Ireland Schools’ Combined Event Championships took place in Athlone International Arena bringing together the best schools combined event athletes from the Provincial Schools Championships in September at Junior, Intermediate and Senior categories. As the All Ireland Championships lead to an Indoor International in December agaist English, Scottish and Welsh Schools and the indoor facility in Armagh now available, it has prompted a change from a September outdoor Championships in Santry to a November indoor one in Athlone. Sarah Connolly (Glenlola) was the most successful North Down athlete with 2nd in the Intermediate Girls Pentathlon with 3118 points, including a hurdles pb and a big shot putt pb, which should see her safely into the Irish team.
Sarah had a good series with 9.17 secs at 80m hurdles, 8.75m at shot, 5.28m at long jump, 1.59m at high jump and 2:49.62 min at 800m. Elizabeth Morland from Dunshaughlin CC was a clear winner with Sarah well ahead of the others.
Aaron Corbett (Bangor GS) was 8th with 2811 in the Intermediate Boys with 9.27 100m hurdles, 10.55 shot, 5.76 LJ, 24.59 200m and 2:21.66 at 800m. Oliver Wakefield (Priory) was 3rd throughout the Junior Pentathlon until his usual disastrous 800m eft him 10th. He had 9.43m at 80m hurdles, 9.20m pb at shot, 5.86m at LJ, 26.0 secat 200m and 3:02.5 min at 800m and 2225 points.