Cross Country gold for Patrician Secondary School Newbridge

It was back in 1993 when Patrician Secondary School in Newbridge last claimed an All-Ireland Cross Country title when the Walker twins, Andrew and Kevin along with Paul Archbold, Evan Dunne, Trevor Dempsey and Johnny Doyle won the intermediate title.

That long gap was bridged in brilliant style on Saturday last when the school's Junior team added to that success when they captured the All-Ireland Junior Cross-Country team event at Tymon Park, Tallaght.

The team traveled with high hopes last weekend following their success in the South Leinster final and their second place in the Leinsters which qualified them for the All-Ireland decider.

The team packed well in a very physical race to claim a very dominant Gold in the 3.5k race with 28 points to spare over St Colman's of Newry.

Ronan Keaney ran an incredible race to finish 9th overall and subsequently qualifies to compete for Ireland against England, Scotland & Wales in two weeks time.

In an amazing feat for the Keaney family, Ronan will be joined in the Ireland team by his sister Rachel who finished 8th in the Junior Girls race.

Matthew Grogan survived a fall and being trampled on at the start, to recover for 32nd place, closely followed by Robert Gleeson in 34th & Ryan Origan secured the medal with 49th. They were backed up by Ben Crampton and Shane Matthews.
A great performance by all the team and another great sporting achievement by Patrician Secondary
School.