Kiltale stars the inspiration for local school’s athletics programme

Inspired by local Kiltale men such as Dessie McGann and Tommy Maher, Kiltale National School has set up an athletics programme which recently saw pupils take part in a multi-stage marathon. Dessie McGann has been a familiar sight training on the roads of Meath for decades. His career took him right to the top of distance running right through his senior career and on to masters glory. McGann's marathon efforts from the Munich Olympics in 1972 must have been an inspiration for another Kiltale man Tommy Maher (Dunshaughlin AC), who has been one of the top Irish marathon runners in more recent times and who last week took a bronze at the All-Ireland Masters Cross-Country. Last September, Rose Cullen, the principal of Kiltale National School, and Catherine McLernon, teaching assistant, set up an athletics programme at the school. The plan was for all the children to complete a marathon over a series of running sessions during the autumn and early winter. Every pupil in the school, from the infants class right up to sixth, completed their own multi-stage marathon and were honoured at a presentation following the final run-out. The enthusiasm of the entire school was obvious as pupils set out to complete the final leg of their run for marathon glory. They were buzzing with anticipation at assembly. For many of them, their first sports medal is the one they will most treasure. All the teaching staff came out to encourage and support their pupils and were full of praise for the initiative. Johnny Gorman, chairman of the parents' association; Ciaran Tobin, PRO, Meath Athletics, and Ms Cullen paid tribute to the packed assembly of happy children on their great efforts. The parents' association provided each young runner with a certificate of achievement and a medal. The school is now eager to send out its best team to the Meath Primary Schools Cross-Country competition in March. Kiltale may just have another long distance legend in the making.