Two Dromore High pupils qualify for Irish Schools’ event

Robin Cantley (JB Discus) and Kerry McDowell (JG 75m Hurdles) both earned the right to compete at the pinnacle schools sporting event in Ireland. They achieved this by winning gold and silver respectively in the ‘Ulsters’.

Kerry went into the hurdles ranked as an outsider with sprint hurdling very strong in Munster and Leinster. She recorded a season-best time of 12.55s to finished in a very credible 5th place in the final - with three girls under 12secs a medal was out of reach. Considering this is Kerry’s first full season at the event, so a 5th place at the ‘Irish’ is no mean feat.

Robin provided the real drama in his Discus competition. Going into the event he would’ve been seen as a possible medallist as he was ranked in the top 4 or 5. With a cut made after the first three throws, Robin found himself with two ‘no throws’ going into the vital third round. Under this intense pressure Robin somehow managed to land one beyond the 28m mark. Having thrown 37m+ to win the ‘Ulsters’ this was way down on what he was capable of.

Luckily it was just enough to scrape into the group that then had two further throws. With an undoubted sense of relief, Robin found his rhythm and produced at 37m throw to get him into the top 4/5. With a final throw of 39.83m (season’s best) he snatched a bronze from the jaws of despair.