Athletics

☘️ International Athletics • SIAB Championships Emerald Jersey Call-Up: Good Luck Bella Kearney in Derby! 18 July 2025 The ultimate dream for any young athlete is to trade their school singlet for the green jersey of Ireland. Tomorrow, that dream becomes a magnificent reality for Davitt College star Isabella (Bella) Kearney, as she lines out to represent her country at the prestigious SIAB (Schools International Athletics Board) Track and Field Championships! The international meet is being held at the Moorways Sports Village in Derby, England, featuring the absolute elite of school athletics from England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. The Road to the International Stage Bella’s international call-up is the crowning moment of a flawless, high-stakes summer campaign where her self-driven work ethic and elite focus have shone through at every turn: The Spring Statement (13 April): Bella ignited her season with a statement victory at the Templemore Spring Throws. Competing in the hammer circle, she launched the furthest throw out of both the U16 and U18 divisions, shattering her previous lifetime mark with a competition PB of 44.97m. The National Silver Medal (2 June): Carrying that explosive form into the All-Ireland Schools Track & Field Championships in Tullamore, Bella delivered a masterclass under pressure. She threw a superb new Personal Best to claim a magnificent 2nd place in Ireland (Silver)—an unbelievable achievement, especially with her Junior Cert exams kicking off just days later! The Tailteann Games Triumph (21 June): The definitive moment arrived at the prestigious interprovincial Tailteann Games. Representing Connacht Schools, Bella completely dominated the U16 Hammer field, taking the top spot on the podium to officially book her automatic qualification spot on the Irish international squad. Leading a Golden Generation of Davitt Athletes While Bella packs her bags for England, her success is the peak of a brilliant summer for our entire track and field department. Earlier in the season on April 10th, our athletes set the tracks alight at the North Connacht Championships, leading to a fantastic showing at the Connacht Schools Finals in Athlone (19 May). On that provincial stage, our squad proved they belong at the top flight, headlined by Ruairí Connor’s exceptional podium finish in the Junior Boys Long Jump and Benjamin Byrne-Dempsey’s brilliant bronze medal performance in the Intermediate Boys High Jump. The Whole School is Behind You, Bella! To climb into the top tier of international athletics takes thousands of hours of unseen, exhausting rotation work in the throw circles. Bella’s relentless drive to improve her sport is a true inspiration to the entire student body. The management, staff, coaches, and students of Davitt College want to send the absolute biggest roar of support across the Irish Sea. Bella, you have worked incredibly hard for this moment—stand tall, enjoy the international stage, and leave it all in the circle. We are immensely proud of you! Go n-éirí an t-adh leat! 🇮🇪✨ ×

🏃 Athletics Ireland • National Track & Field Championships National Podiums & Historic Records: Sizzling Summer for Kearney & Byrne-Dempsey! 21 July 2024 The summer track and field season has reached its absolute peak flight, and two of Davitt College’s most exceptional young athletes have spent the weekend rewriting the record books on the national stage. Competing at the National Outdoor Track & Field Championships, Isabella (Bella) Kearney and Benjamin Byrne-Dempsey delivered two masterclasses in elite execution, representing their school and Castlebar Athletic Club with immense distinction. Isabella Kearney Smashes the Connacht Record & Claims National Silver Isabella Kearney’s rise through the throw disciplines has been nothing short of meteoric, and this weekend saw her hard work pay off in historic fashion. Lining up in the U15 Girls Hammer Throw, Isabella went toe-to-toe with the finest technical throwers in the country. Launching a magnificent, explosive throw, Isabella secured a brilliant National Silver Medal! If that wasn’t enough, her performance put the exclamation point on a sensational multi-week run: ⚡ The Provincial Record Just last month on June 17th, Isabella completely shattered the long-standing U15 Connacht Hammer Record with a blistering throw. 🎯 The New Lifetime Mark She backed up that record-breaking form this weekend by setting another massive, lifetime Personal Best (PB) of 44.97m on the national stage. Isabella works away tirelessly on her circle rotation and release technique with her dedicated coaches at Castlebar AC, and seeing that relentless work ethic turn into a National Silver medal is an absolute joy for our entire school community. Benjamin Byrne-Dempsey Soars into the Top 6 in Ireland Not to be outdone, the phenomenal Benjamin Byrne-Dempsey put on a spectacular aerial display in the U15 Boys High Jump. Competing in his very first national track and field showcase, Benjamin showed absolutely zero nerves as the bar moved up, clearing height after height with brilliant technique and composure: 🇮🇪 National Top 6 Finish Displaying tremendous composure against the country’s best, Benjamin secured an outstanding 6th place in Ireland in the U15 Boys High Jump. 🚀 Debut Personal Best Making his debut on the national stage, he rose to the occasion by setting a spectacular new lifetime Personal Best (PB). Building on an Exceptional Season This weekend’s national triumphs are the perfect continuation of a highly successful school campaign that ignited back on May 16th at the Connacht Track and Field Finals in Athlone. On that day, our large school athletics panel did brilliantly across the board, with Isabella, Fiachra, and Alannah leading the charge to progress to the All-Ireland series. The entire management, staff, and student body of Davitt College extend our massive congratulations to Bella and Benjamin. To hit your absolute peak form, secure lifetime PBs, and claim national honours in the same weekend is a testament to your elite drive and dedication. You are an inspiration to every young athlete in our school! 🥈🏅🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️✨ ×

🇮🇪 Elite Gymnastics • Olympic Pathway Alannah Bourke Selected for Irish Olympic Start Squad 10 June 2024 A historic milestone for the wider school and sporting community! Massive congratulations to Alannah Bourke, who has been officially selected for the prestigious Irish Olympic Start Squad. This elite selection is a spectacular achievement for Alannah, reflecting her immense talent, alongside the relentless work of her coaches and club support network. Alannah kicked off this exciting new chapter last weekend, traveling to the National Gymnastics Training Centre in Dublin for her first intensive training session with the national squad. We wish Alannah every success as she takes her place on the pathway to the highest levels of international sport—we are all incredibly proud to follow her journey! 🤸‍♀️🇮🇪🥇✨ ×