Cushinstown end 23-year wait for Quinn silverware
CUSHINSTOWN AC rounded off a fantastic 2011 for the club by picking up two provincial awards at the recent Athletic Association of Ireland Leinster Star Awards held in Carlow.
For the first time in 23 years the club was awarded the Mick Quinn Perpetual Memorial Trophy for the best track & field club in Leinster in 2011 in the Under12 to Under-16 category.
Duleek athletes played a prominent role in helping Cushinstown achieve this award, with Jordon Leech, Keith Marks, Luke Mccabe and Zoe Mohan all contributing significantly to the award.
Other members of the club who were part of the successful group were Caoimhe Doyle, Shane Joyce, Elizabeth Morland, Alan Murtagh, Eoghan Reynolds, Orna Reynolds, Sinead Reynolds, Shannon Sheehy and Daniel Tully.
The club was also awarded the Shield for the best Under-9 to Under-11 team in Leinster track & Field in 2011. Duleek athletes played a part once again, with Katie Lenihan and Katelyn Mcmahon performing strongly during the year.
Club PRO Bernard Mohan commented: 'The dedication and commitment of the coaches along with the determination and talent available within the club have helped Cushinstown achieve these awards.
'Indeed one of our coaches, Aileen Quinn, was on the last team from Cushinstown to win this Mick Quinn Perpetual Trophy in 1988 and our Head Coach Dessie Gough was involved on both these occasions.
'It is a testament to everyone within the club that we have a strong group of young athletes coming through who are putting in such excellent performances. The future looks very bright for the club.'
The 2012 season got under way on Sunday, with the club hosting their annual Indoor Sports Day. Teams travelled from Louth and Meath to compete in a very entertaining day's athletics, which should help the athletes get ready for the Leinster Indoors in Nenagh which are being held in mid February.
In the Under-16 high jump Keith Marks (Cushinstown) needed to jump a personal best of 1.74m to achieve first place.
Boyne's Niamh Kelly pipped Shannon Sheehy of Cushinstown with a strong final attempt in the Under-16 long jump, and in the Under-13 long jump Zoe Mohan finished ahead of Emma Cheshire (Dunleer) and Daniel Tully (Cushinstown) beat Mark Joyce (Cushinstown) in the boys event.
Other events on the day included the shot putt, which saw some good performances from Shane Joyce and Luke Mccabe (Cushinstown), Kelly Brady (Bohermeen) and Aoife Lenihan (Cushinstown) and the sprint events which saw many a close race in the various age groups.'
