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History - Scotland 2009


Following the very successful club trip to Scotland in 2006, it was decided during the summer of 2009 that St Peter's AC would once more travel to compete in the Pitreavie AAC Young Athletes' Trophy Meet in Dunfermline. Prior to the trip the club received some welcome sponsorship from Chris Fussey on behalf of local business consultancy company, Darver Marketing.

In the early hours of the morning of Saturday 12th September 2009, twelve young athletes and four coaches from St Peter's AC made the journey southwards along the M1 motorway from their homes in County Louth to Dublin Airport. There they boarded the 06:40 Ryanair flight for the short hop from the capital of Ireland to the capital of Scotland. Following a coach ride from Edinburgh Airport northwards across the impressive Forth Bridge into Fife, the group were met by Norman Gardiner and some others from the Pitreavie club. The hosts then safely delivered the visitors by car to the Holiday Inn Express on the eastern side of Dunfermline. Following breakfast in the hotel everyone took the bus into the centre of Dunfermline where they enjoyed a few hours of shopping and relaxation on a lovely sunny day.

The nine girls and three boys who travelled to Scotland were: Elizabeth Bell, Niamh Devlin, Megan Finnegan, Liam Fussey, Niamh Fussey, Nikayla Hamill, Ian McDonald, Martin McGrane, Ellen McGuinness, Orlaith McMahon, Emily Rogers and Heather Rogers. The athletes were accompanied by four adult coaches: Maria Duffy, Kathleen McConnell, Angela McDonald and Tom McGrane.

The next day, Sunday 13th September, Pitreavie AAC hosted their 18th Young Athletes' Trophy Meeting at the Pitreavie track in Dunfermline. This annual end-of-season meet attracted athletes in the Under 11 to Under 17 age groups from throughout Scotland, as well as their Celtic and Gaelic "cousins" in the St Peter's contingent from across the Irish Sea. Conditions were good for the very well organised competition with no rain, just a light wind, and the temperature in the high teens.

Emily Rogers finished off an outstanding season with an another excellent performance to win the Under 17 High Jump with a leap of 1.65m, just 1cm off her personal best. Ian McDonald finished 4th in both the Under 17 100m with a personal best of 12.00, albeit slightly wind assisted, and the Long Jump, where he leapt 5.27m, just 5cm short of a medal. He also threw 8.03m with the 5kg Shot to finish 5th in that event.

Niamh Fussey was also a double 4th-placer, recording 13.44 into a headwind in the Under 15 75m Hurdles final after a windless 13.12 clocking in her heat, and leaping 4.45m in the Long Jump. In between she also finished 10th in the 800m (3:03.02). Megan Finnegan was another athlete in excellent form, as she threw 5.89m with the 2.72kg Shot for 4th place in the Under 13 age group. She was also busy on the track, finishing 4th in her 200m heat (32.08 into a headwind) and 6th in her 800m race in a time of 2:50.86, which ranked her 11th overall in the two-lap event.

Also putting in fine performances in the Under 15 age group were Ellen McGuinness and Niamh Devlin. Ellen finished 5th in the Shot, recording a distance of 6.06m with the 3.25kg implement, while Niamh cleared 1.25m for 6th in the High Jump, and also finished 9th in the 800m (2:49.56).

St Peter’s AC had six more athletes in action in the Under 13 events, all of whom had very creditable performances, especially considering that five of them will be eligible for this age group again next year. Orlaith McMahon finished 4th in her pool of the Long Jump and 6th overall with 3.62m, not far off her personal best, She also contested the 100m, finishing 4th in her heat with a 15.74 clocking. Orlaith was partnered in both these events by Heather Rogers, who recorded 3.12m in the Long Jump to finish 7th in her pool, and 16.47 for 5th place in her 100m heat. Earlier Heather had thrown 5.07m for 9th place in the Shot.

Just behind Heather in the Shot was Elizabeth Bell in 10th (5.04m). Elizabeth also cleared 1.10m in the High Jump and finished 10th in her 800m race (3:07.88). Young Nikayla Hamill continued to show great promise for the future, and she impressed in all three her events in Scotland. She was 4th in her 200m heat (31.68), 4th again in her 800m race (2:46.69), which ranked her 8th overall, and cleared 1.15m for 11th place in the High Jump.

Martin McGrane and Liam Fussey both threw the 3.25kg Shot, where Martin finished 6th (5.88m) and Liam finished 9th (5.39m). Liam also recorded 1.15m for 11th place in the High Jump and finished 12th in the 800m (2:57.53).

The following day, Monday 14th September, the St Peter's AC athletes and coaches, well pleased after their good performances in the competition, travelled by train from Dunfermline to Waverley Station in the centre of Edinburgh. They spent some time sightseeing in the historic city and also availed of the opportunity to visit some of Edinburgh's excellent shops. Later that evening the group flew back to Dublin and then travelled home to the "Wee County", tired but happy after an enjoyable and successful trip to Scotland. They were also very grateful for the hospitality extended by Pitreavie AAC, and in particular by Norman Gardiner, the Meeting Convenor.