Greystones Athletics Club (GAC) entered 10 teams in the Leinster Team Event for U9 to U15 on Saturday 8th June 2013 in Celbridge AC.

The competition was at a high level with GAC athletes putting in very good individual performances and all teams performing very well. This resulted in GAC winning 2 bronze medals for the Boys Under 9 (Sean Smyth, Daniel Quirk, Edward Nicholson & Rory McNally) and the Girls Under 15 (Sinead O Neill, Richael Browne, Alison Dawson Whelan & Rebecca Murphy). The Girls Under 13 (Aisling Lawrence, Aislinn Smyth, Sophie Nicholson and Rachael Diggin) came in with an impressive 4th place. Every one of our GAC athletes provided us with great excitement and competed to their best in all events which was a joy to watch and we were very proud of all of them. The relay teams provided huge excitement at the end of a very long day.

It was a very successful team event assisted by the number of parents that travelled to Celbridge. GAC is very thankful to all parents who made the effort to travel but a special thanks has to go to those parents and coaches who looked after each of the teams individually -  Pauline Dallaghan (GU10 - Sophie Dallaghan, Ruby Dowd, Maebh O’Neill, Eimear Ryan), Linda Quirk (GU11 - Molly Crowe, Ellen McNally, Erin O’Brien Howard, Emma Quirk), Valerie Lawerence (GU12 Danielle Crowe, Lily Hartnett, Eve Lawrence, Alice O’Neill), Billy Diggins (GU13 – Rachael Diggin, Aisling Lawerence, Sophie Nicholson, Aislinn Smyth, Ellen McGrath) Fiona Ryan (GU13 – Aimee Coughlan, Frances Dallaghan, Sarah O’ Connor, Eva Roche, Ellen McGrath) Liz Diggin (GU15 – Richael Browne, Alison Dawson Whelan, Rebecca Murphy, Sinead O’ Neill), Louise Casey / Clare McTague (GU15 Team 1 – Catherine Casey, Megan Healy, Aoife McTague, Alana Ryan), Dave Pegman (GU15 Team 2 – Rachael Casey, Etain Pegman, Ellen Prendergast, Joy Spendlove), Emer McNally (BU9 – Rory McNally, Edward Nicholson, Daniel Quirk, Sean Smyth, Frank O’ Shea), Fiona O Connor (BU12 – Jay Cafolla, Joe Dowd, Alan Gordon, James Nicholson) and a big thanks to Liz Diggin for being our main team coordinator.

It was a great day for Team GAC involving one and all as we all worked together to make the day a successful event for our GAC athletes. One of the parents remarked over the weekend “that all the Greystones athletes and parents looked happy to be at the event” and this showed in the way the athletes performed and represented our club – well done everyone!

Another huge thank you to Christina McIntyre and Laura O’ Neill who were the Clubs nominated officials, each Leinster Club has to provide 1 / 2 officials to help out on the day, to assist in running the event which was not an easy task taking the weather into consideration. Well done for your hard work in very hot conditions.

And finally we cannot forget Ellen McGrath number 1 sub for the Girls Under 13 teams (x2) and to John O’ Connor who in spite of his team not being able to compete due to injuries still travelled to the meeting to support their fellow athletes. Athletes like this are invaluable to the club. In relation to the substitutes for any team event that the athletes compete in the rule is that if a team wins a medal and the substitute is at the event they will receive a medal but if they do not travel to the event unfortunately they cannot be awarded the medal so it is very important that a substitute travels to all events.
 
It was a fantastic day with the sun shining, what more could any athlete ask for. Once again a big thank you to all parents especially those of you who ensured that all athletes, including your own (children), were covered with sufficient sun tan lotion given the great conditions.

Note for your diaries -  Next big meet is the Leinster Individuals in Tullamore for U13 – U19 Sat / Sun 15th / 16th June 2013 so we really looking forward to seeing you all their with your picnics and, hopefully, sun cream!