Promising young Donegal athletes presented with John Carlin Awards

Two young athletes from Donegal have been named as the winners of the prestigious John Carlin Award, which has been reactivated this year.

Caoimhe McNeill of Dooish National School and Scoil Cholmcille Acres pupil Rosie Breslin were presented with awards.

The awards are presented for outstanding performances in the finals of the Primary Schools Athletics Challenge, held at Finn Valley AC.

Caoimhe McNeill, who also competes for Finn Valley AC, was an impressive winner over 800m and has been a consistent performer for Dooish NS over the years.

Rosie Breslin, who turns out for Rosses AC, excels in the long jump and high jump events and has been smashing her own personal bests in both disciplines.

The award is named in memory of John Carlin, the late Crossroads man who was a former Ulster champion and Donegal high jump record holder.

His son Sean Carlin, a former national senior champion who still holds the Donegal record in the decathlon (7,226), was on hand to make the presentations in the company of former Irish Athletics Team Manager Patsy McGonagle. Finn Valley AC Chairman Dermot McGranaghan, Vice Chairman Neil Martin and Ann Slevin, Finn Valley AC Schools Coach, were also in attendance.

The award was initiated in 2014 and there have been some notable former winners, such as Lauren Callaghan, Hannah Murray, Lucy McGlynn, Caolan McFadden and Riona Doherty.

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“It is a great honour for a school to get an award like this, due mainly to the sheer numbers involved,” McGonagle said. “Previous winners have gone on to win numerous national titles, vindicating the confidence shown by giving them the awards.

“The engagement from local schools is enthusiastic and positive,” McGonagle says.

“The club would not have been as successful without it. The school connection is absolutely key.”