Harvey and Hickey lead powerful Irish challenge at Newport

THE KitKat Irish Schools team will be back in action at the SIAB Schools’ International in Newport, Wales on Saturday.

This year’s KitKat Irish Schools’ team — captained by Jason Harvey, Campbell College, and Aoife Hickey, Loreto College, Kilkenny, have high hopes for success.

The girls team are in with a very good chance.

In the sprints Hannah Lewis, Bloomfield Collegiate, and Stephanie Creanor, Loreto, St Stephen’s Green, will be strong contenders. Sandra Lawler, St Mary’s, Naas, and Samantha Miskelly, Regent House, who have been in great form in the Irish Schools Championships, will relish the challenge offered by the English team in particular.

In the middle-distance events, Eimear Black, Dominican Fortwilliam and Ciara Mageean, Assumption Ballynahinch, have been involved in many close finishes but this time will have to rise to a greater challenge to take on their international counterparts.

In the field events, the girls have many stars. Cathriona Farrell, Athenry VS, in the High Jump, Hannah Lewis, Bloomfield Collegiate, in the Long Jump and Aoife Hickey, Loreto, Kilkenny, in the Hammer will all be looking to build on their success at

the KitKat Tailteann Interprovinical Championships’ earlier in the month.

Among the boys, Shane Quinn, DLS Waterford, having won the KitKat Tailteann Interprovincial in Tullamore and set an Irish Schools’ Junior record at the KitKat All-Ireland Track and Field Finals in June will be hoping to add the international title to his name. Another to watch will be the ever-improving Mark McDonald, St Aidan’s CBS, in the 800m.

In field events Jason Harvey, Campbell College, will do well in the High Jump if he can match his stunning performance at the Tailteann Interprovincial.

A big performance is expected from Dayle Kennedy, Abbey CC Waterford, in the Shot Putt and Discus.