Cussen hits the heights at Cork IT

The second day of the South Munster Schools’ Track & Field championships took place at the Cork IT track yesterday where a blustery wind against the sprinters didn’t augur well for fast times.

However, there were a number of impressive performances in the field events, where pride of place went to David Cussen of Coláiste An Spioraid Naoimh, who cleared 2.10 in his speciality event, the high jump.

This was just 3cms short of his best of 2.13, achieved last summer when the 17-year-old represented Ireland at the World Youth Championships where he finished ninth position.

Scott Gibson of Bandon Grammar School caused a stir when he easily won the intermediate 400m in an exceptional 49.80, a sub-50 minute clocking being a rarity at this level.

It was a good day for Carrigaline Community School who took the senior boys All-Round Cup for the first time. Sam Healy was their most impressive winner when taking the long jump with a leap of 6.68m.

Coláiste Chríost Rí again excelled in middle distances, Lucás Ó Horgáin adding the 1500m to the 800m he won on day one of the championship. His 4:11.47 saw him edge David Fox (CBC) who clocked 4:26.46.

Another Críost Rí pupil, Liam Ó hAonghasa, also showed fine form to take the senior 1500m in 4:09.21.

Amongst the girls, Maeve Aherne of Loreto, Fermoy, won the 1500m to add to her 800m win on Friday.

Kayleigh Cronin of St Brigid’s, Killarney had a shot and discus double in the senior girls with Aoife Hurley (Loreto) also notching a double in the junior discus and javelin.

The first three in each event go on to the Aviva/Munster Schools’ Championships which take place at the same venue next Saturday from 9.30am.