Megan Mullally and Padai OKane First Past the Post for Flahavans XC Final

22 March 2022

Flahavan’s Primary School Cross Country League Champions Crowned

Megan Mullally from Holy Trinity Primary School and Padai O’Kane from St Joseph’s Primary & Nursery Unit, Dunloy have been crowned winners of the Flahavan’s Athletics NI Primary School Cross County League, after securing first place in the girls’ and boys’ races respectively.

Over 350 local athletes, aged 9-11 years old, competed in the Final, which was held at Mallusk Playing Fields on 3^rd March 2022.

St Brides Primary School, Antrim was recognised as the overall best-performing boys’ school and King’s Park Primary School, Lurgan was recognised as the overall best-performing girls’ school.

The league, which is committed to encouraging children to lead a healthy and active lifestyle, was launched by the Flahavan’s Ambassadors, Dylan McBride (City of Lisburn AC) and Aoife McGreevy (Lagan Valley AC) in November last year, with 2,000 runners aged between 9 and 11 years old from across Northern Ireland taking part.

Dylan presented the successful competitors with their medals at the Final event held at Mallusk Playing Fields, and said: “All the competitors should be very proud of their efforts this year – it’s been wonderful to see so many young athletes come out and get involved in the cross-country community. It’s a brilliant way to build a potential athletics career.”

Alice Quirke, Brand Manager for Flahavan’s, concluded: “We’re proud to have sponsored the league for the past eleven years and over the years we’ve seen thousands of young people competing many of whom have gone on to become successful athletes.”

“A healthy diet is so important for these young people especially when they are training and competing. We are committed to helping them learn about nutrition and whether that is setting themselves up for the day with a bowl of porridge or fuelling themselves with oat baked goodies- we are so glad that Flahavan’s can provide the nutrients they need. We are delighted to see the race happening again now that restrictions are easing. Well done to all the runners who took part this year– you should all be very proud of your efforts!”

Following the final, the top 20 girls and top 20 boys are invited to join the Flahavan’s ANI Junior Endurance Squad to support their development as athletes in the year ahead.