BY MICHAEL O’LEARY
This coming Easter Monday the 1st of April, St. Senans Athletic Club, Kilmacow in South Kilkenny host their annual Track and Field Sports, and as always it should attract a very strong turnout from across he south east region and beyond.
There is a range of events for girls and boys from Under-8 to Under-19, with events also for Juniors and Seniors.
Starting with the Under-8s, there are races in the 80 metres and 200 metres for both girls and boys, while at Under-9s Under-10s and Under-11s there are races in the 80 metres and 300 metres for both girls and boys.
At Under-12, the girls have events in the 80 metres and 700 metres and long jump, while the boys also have events in the 80 metres and 700 metres along with the shot putt.
At Under-13, the girls have events in the 100 metres and 700 metres along with the high jump and shot putt, while the boys also have events in the 100 metres, 700 metres and high jump along with the long jump.
The Under-14 girls have events in the 100 metres and 700 metres along with the long jump, while The Under-14 boys also have events in the 100 metres, 700 metres along with the long jump.
Meanwhile, The Under-15 girls and boys have events in the 100 metres and 700 metres, shot putt and javelin, along with the 1500 metres walk.
At Under-16, The girls have events in the 100 metres and 700 metres, high jump and long jump, while the boys have events in the 100 metres and 700 metres, high jump, shot putt and javelin.
The Under-17 girls have events in the 100 metres and 700 metres along with the shot putt, while the Under-17 boys have races in the 100 metres and 700 metres.
A 2000 metre walk will take place for both U-19 girls and boys, while there are events for Juniors, Seniors along with Juvenile Relays.
For the Junior girls there are races in The 100 metres, 400 metres and 1500 metres along with the long jump, while in the Junior boys there are races in the 100 metres, 400 metres and 3000 metres along with the long jump.
The Senior Men will race over 3000 metres, while the Senior Ladies will race over 1500 metres.
To conclude the action, there will be Juvenile Relays in the 4 x 200 metres for boys and girls in Under-10, Under-12, Under-14 and Under-16 with a Cup on the day for Best Overall Juvenile Club.
Meanwhile, both Ed Williams and his daughter Perri Williams from The St. Senans Club have been inducted into The Kilkenny Athletics Hall of Fame. Ed was the founder of the St. Senans Club in 1977, and over the years several of the athletes that he coached went on to win Leinster and All-Irelands along with representing Ireland in International competitions including Perri.
Perri competed for Ireland in The 10KM walk at The 1992 Olympics in Barcelona along with the World Championships in Stuggart, Germany in 1993. Since retiring from competitive Athletics, Perri has coached Athletes to National and International glory, while she is also current county PRO.
Liam Kealy, Sean Lynch, Marita Walton and Margaret Dillon have also been inducted into The Kilkenny Athletics Hall of Fame.
Finally, The Streets of Kilkenny race took place last night (Thursday) with this years event a sell out.The 5KM event is traditionally held on Holy Thursday and it attracts a great response from around the country.
