Victorious West Mayo All-Ireland winning school teams to receive civic reception

WEST Mayo councillors have approved a civic reception for two victorious Sacred Heart Secondary School teams after the Westport school was crowned All-Ireland champions in two sports.

March proved to be a very successful month for everyone at Sacred Heart Secondary School in Westport with the U-16 girls crowned All-Ireland Champions in Gaelic football while the cross country team were victorious at All-Ireland Schools Cross Country Championships.

The achievements of the all-girls secondary school was acknowledged by local councillors at the monthly meeting of the Westport/Belmullet Municipal District who agreed to honour them with a civic reception.

Proposing the civic reception, Fianna Fáil councillor Brendan Mulroy said that the success of the school was great to see and it had to be acknowledged.

“The Sacred Heart School is really successful at the moment and I propose we have a civic reception to acknowledge both teams in the town hall,” he said.

Cllr Mulroy pointed out that the All-Ireland won by the U-16 girls football team was the first time it has been won by a Mayo school in 30 years. His proposal was seconded by Independent councillor John O'Malley.

The Sacred Heart cross country team included both Holly and Freya Renton who were honoured with a civic reception of their own on March 27 for their exploits in underage athletes at International level.

Members of the municipal district who attended this civic reception in Westport Town Hall for the Renton twins and local tennis star, Eoghan Jennings praised the three athletes for their dedication to their sport.

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Cathaoirleach of the Westport/Belmullet Municipal District, Cllr Peter Flynn thanked everyone involved in organising the civic reception and added the highlight of the evening was listening to the three athletes speak.

“We know how talented each of the three athletes are in terms of their own abilities but the way they handled themselves on the night and the way they spoke and mingled with the crowd was phenomenal. I am of no doubt that regardless of what happens with their future careers in terms of sport all three will become very successful people if what Friday night is anything to go by. They were a credit to their family and clubs and the schools they are part of,” he said.

Cllr Flynn also congratulated the Sacred Heart for organising the Relay the Nation Marathon which took place on the Mall in Westport on March 26. In a first of its kind initiative, up to 400 girls covered the 42km distance in 100 metres sprints with the baton handed over 422 times in a time of two hours and seven minutes.

“It was the first event of its type anywhere in the world,” said Cllr Flynn “It was such a novel event in that you had kids of all abilities taking part. Those who would not be normally associated with athletics and those who are superstars including the Rentons all taking part. Well done to everyone involved,” he said.