The Annual Inter-County track and field competition between Laois, Offaly and Westmeath took place on Friday evening 15th May at Tullamore Harriers’ excellent tartan track. The competition was for boys and girls from under 9 years to under 14 years. For many of the young athletes it was their first time on a tartan track and also their first ever track meeting. We had a total of 43 athletes, and most of them got into the medals. However, we must ask, where were the rest of our young athletes? The large numbers who turn up each Tuesday and Thursday and expect Club officials to look after them did not bother to turn up. One must ask why they bother joining the Club and then not compete?

Among those who did compete was a group from Wilson’s Hospital School and from Ballymore Community Games. A special thanks to Matt Glennon, Brid Leydon, Amanda Dalton, Tony Ennis, Noreen Cuffe and Andy MacEoin for giving a helping hand on the night and to the many parents who provided transport and valuable vocal support.

We had brilliant performances from Glen Gaffney, Oisin Quinn, Cormac Dalton, Linda Conroy, Victoria Harris, John Whitelaw, Rachel Glennon, Daniel Ennis, Niamh Quinn, Méabh McNulty, Maolíosa Ní Léannacháin, Liam O’Reilly, Patrick Leydon, Laura Whitelaw, Shauna Leydon, Eoghan Sheridan, Wenbo Cao, Charlton Muringani, Faye Walsh, Owen McCabe, Ellen Cronin, Edel Glennon, Sarah Glennon, Orla O’Rourke, Dorothy Bane, Conor Whyte, Samia Ennis, Lorna Moody, Megan O’Leary, Róisín Foley, Moya Leydon, Aoife Darby, Jack Kearney, Christopher Whyte, Holly Walsh, Kelly Ennis, Joseph Cronin, Aisling Moody, James O’Léannacháin, Sarah Sheridan, Claire Fagan, Hilary Harris and Mervyn Harris.

Many thanks to each and every one of them for turning up and competing so well.