Despite the absence of anything even resembling an Indian summer this month, the athletics track and ancillary field event locations were primed in preparation for Sports Day yesterday (Monday, 21st September). By lunchtime, however, the clear skies had opted to take up residence farther afield with local areas subject to flash flooding. Amazingly, Clongowes somehow managed to stave off the inclement weather for the second year in a row as ten houses laced up their runners, picked up their javelins and made ready for battle. It would be one big race with an awful lot of Citius, Altius, Fortius (as the Latin scholars would have it) to conclude every event before the inevitable showers and many an athlete went faster, higher and stronger in their quest for the much-coveted Aloysius Bowl for the victorious house.
With only two points separating Arrupe and Collins houses with one event left, the judges knew that if Collins finished one place ahead of Arrupe we would have a tie (possibly the first ever). Alas the panic subsided as Eimhin Ryan took the baton home on the final leg of the relay to the delight of the men of Arrupe House giving to Niall McDermott and Stuart Tyrrell the hard earned victory and of course the coveted Aloysius Bowl.
To mark the day, Ann Cooke and her team laid on a much-appreciated feast for the many tired limbs before Niall and Stuart led the members of their triumphant house into the refectory to much applause.
Congratulations to Mr. Pat Kenny on a successful afternoon and a huge ‘thank you’ to all who made yesterday a great success. From the members of staff who kept the show running smoothly to the gentlemen of Syntax and the Gappies, who were out at 09.00 preparing for the day’s events. But the biggest and most important accolade must go to the students, who made the occasion a competitive and – more importantly – fun day and to the House leaders, who deserve great credit for encouraging all to take some part.
Pat Kenny and Declan O’Keeffe (with a nod to Richard McElwee)
