In the opening girls’ race, pupils from St Canice’s Primary School, Dungiven dominated the podium with Cara Mullan claiming first place and Aoife McKenna finishing in second. Third place was secured by Grace Carey from St Colum’s Primary School, Portstewart.
Rose Millar from St Mary’s Primary School, Draperstown took the top spot in second girls’ race, followed by teammate Gemma O’Neill, also from St Mary’s in second place, and Catelynn Turner from St John’s Primary School, Dernaflew completing the podium in third.
The boys delivered equally impressive performances, with Jackson Nellins from DH Christie Memorial Primary School, Coleraine leading the field in the first boys’ race.
Ronan Wilson from Mill Strand Primary School, Portrush claimed second place, followed by Connla McElhone from Anahorish Primary School, Toomebridge in third.
Cahir Bradley and Harry O’Kane from St Patrick’s and St Joseph’s Primary School, Glenullin were first and second to cross the finish line respectively in the next boys’ race of the day, with Joseph Sharkey from Mary Queen of Peace Primary School, Ballymena, completing the race in third.
School team competitions also intensified with teams of six battling it out for crucial league points to earn qualification for the final. After round 3, the leading girls’ schools were St Mary’s Primary School, Draperstown, St Colum’s Primary School, Portstewart and St Canice’s Primary School, Dungiven, while the top boys’ teams were St Patrick’s and St Joseph’s Primary School, Glenullin, St Canice’s Primary School, Dungiven and Gaelscoil Neachtain, Dungiven.
As the penultimate round before the Flahavan’s Athletics NI League Final, due to take place on February 27, round three represented an important milestone for the young athletes.
The final will bring together the top runners from across Northern Ireland to compete for overall honours and the opportunity to be selected for the Flahavan’s Athletics NI Junior Endurance Squad. The programme offers year-long coaching and development support for the top 20 boys and top 20 girls across the season.
1. SPORT
L-R: Ronan Wilson from Mill Strand Primary School, Portrush (2nd place), Jackson Nellins from DH Christie Memorial Primary School, Coleraine (1st place) and Connla McElhone from Anahorish Primary School, Toomebridge (3rd place) in the first boys’ race at the third round of the 2025-26 Flahavan’s Athletics NI League at Ulster University, Coleraine. Photo: FLAHAVANS
2. SPORT
L-R: Gemma O’Neill from St Mary’s Primary School, Draperstown (2nd place), Rose Millar from St Mary’s Primary School, Draperstown (1st place) and Catelynn Turner from St John’s Primary School, Dernaflew (3rd place) in the second girls’ race at the third round of the 2025-26 Flahavan’s Athletics NI League at Ulster University, Coleraine. Photo: FLAHAVANS
3. SPORT
L-R: Harry O’Kane from St Patrick’s and St Joseph’s Primary School, Glenullin (2nd place), Cahir Bradley from St Patrick’s and St Joseph’s Primary School, Glenullin (1st place) and Joseph Sharkey from Mary Queen of Peace Primary School, Ballymena (3rd place) in the second boys’ race at the third round of the 2025-26 Flahavan’s Athletics NI League at Ulster University, Coleraine. Photo: FLAHAVANS
4. SPORT
L-R: Aoife McKenna from St Canice’s Primary School, Dungiven (2nd place), Cara Mullan from St Canice’s Primary School, Dungiven (1st place) and Grace Carey from St Colum’s Primary School, Portstewart (3rd place) in the first girls’ race at the third round of the 2025-26 Flahavan’s Athletics NI League at Ulster University, Coleraine. Photo: FLAHAVANS