Speedy sucess for Causeway Coast and Glens kids in primary school cross country league
Primary school pupils from across the Causeway Coast having been enjoying success in the latest round of the Flahavan’s Athletics NI Primary School Cross Country League.
Battling unpredictable weather conditions, the event at the Joey Dunlop Leisure Centre saw hundreds of budding athletes from local schools take to the course.
In the first girls’ race Saint Canice Primary School, Dungiven pupils, Cara Mullan stormed to victory, followed closely by Aoife McKenna who claimed second place and Cara McTeague from St Mary’s Primary School, Bellaghy in third.
Pupils Rose Miller and Gemma O’Neill from St Mary’s Primary School, Draperstown secured spots one and two respectively on the podium in the second girls’ race, while Cassie Mae Elliot from St Brigid's Primary School, Ballymoney, placed third.
The boys put on an equally strong display, with Jack Dillon from St Brigid's Primary School, Magherafelt topping the leaderboard in the first boys’ race, followed by Luke McCloskey from St John’s Primary School, Dernaflaw in second and Joseph Sharkey from Mary Queen of Peace Primary School, Ballymena in third place.
Meanwhile in the second boys’ race, Jackson Nellins from DH Christie Memorial Primary School, Coleraine powered to first place, closely followed by Harry O’Kane from St Patrick's & St Joseph's Primary School, Garvagh, in second and Daniel Martin from St Joseph’s Primary School, Dunloy in third.
The excitement carried through to the school races, where teams of six collected crucial points, all aiming to qualify for the third round and ultimately the final.
The top girls’ teams after the second round were St Mary’s Primary School, Draperstown, Drumachose Primary School, Limavady and Saint Canice Primary School, Dungiven with the top boys’ schools being St. Brigid's Primary School, Magherafelt, Saint Canice Primary School, Dungiven and St Patrick's & St Joseph's Primary School, Coleraine.
As the final round before the Christmas break, round two marked another challenging step in the journey to the Flahavan’s Athletics NI League Final, which is due to take place in February 2026.
The final brings together the top performing runners from across Northern Ireland to compete for overall titles and for a chance to join the Flahavan’s Athletics NI Junior Endurance Squad, offering year long training and development opportunities for the top 20 boys and top 20 girls across the season.