Records Fall at Ulster Schools Track and Field Championships

Saturday, May 16, brought difficult conditions as a heavy shower swept across the track just before racing began, but the torrential rain failed to overshadow one of the standout performances of the championships. In the Mini Boys 800m final, Harry McVeigh of St Malachy’s, Castlewellan produced a remarkable front-running display to break one of the oldest records in Ulster Schools athletics. Leading from the gun, McVeigh powered through the rain to clock an impressive 2:12.01, shaving more than two seconds off the previous championship record which had stood since 1974.

There were more record-breaking performances on the track as Leah O’Gara of Loreto Letterkenny set a new championship mark in the Intermediate Girls 1200m walk. O’Gara clocked 9:30.10 to take almost five seconds off the previous record, which had stood since 2011. The talented Donegal athlete has already secured the qualifying standard for this year’s European Under-18 Championships. Her teammate Erin Friel, who has achieved the World Under-20 Championship standard for the 400m and recently represented Ireland in the relay squad at the World Championships, was also in impressive form, cruising to victory in the Senior Girls 400m in a time of 56.24. Meanwhile, the Intermediate Boys 400m produced another record-breaking run as Ethan Carr of Antrim Grammar School clocked 48.94, eclipsing the previous championship record of 49.60 that had only been set last year.

The field events also produced a memorable record-breaking performance as Carys Carlisle of Ballyclare High School delivered a superb throw of 43.55m in the Intermediate Girls javelin. Her effort added almost two metres to the previous championship record, a mark that had remained untouched since 1986.

With records tumbling and outstanding performances across both track and field, this year’s Ulster Schools Track and Field Championships once again highlighted the depth of young athletic talent across the province.