Big Day In
By Jimmy Purdy
My big day in
The opportunity arose when Mr Kavanagh, a new teacher at the school, introduced
hurling, football and athletics. So when he asked for names to take part in the
school sports, I was one of the first to do so.
Soon, he held trials for the different distances and we were sorted into what
he considered we were best at. I was selected for the 4 x 100 relay.
A great interest developed in the school and best of all, we would get little
breaks in the play-yard practising our running and baton-changing.
Mr Kavanagh decided we would need practice running on grass, so twice a week we
went to
It created a bit of a laugh to those looking on but Mr Kavanagh told me if it
happened in
I was looking forward to this day in Croker a lot and the excitement increased
when the new vest and shorts were given to us for the big day.
All the big schools were entered, schools legendary for winning at these
sports: Joey’s from
On the morning of the day I woke up all excited but it was raining very heavily
and I was determined to run my very best. As my father was already at work, my
mother wished me well and saw me off.
We assembled at our school for the bus to take us to
As the various events were run off, the stronger schools were winning most
races. I watched their supporters cheering and celebrating their victories. How
I wished our school had even a silver or bronze medal to celebrate. We did not
get as much as a finalist.
Just then the public address was calling for the relay teams to come on to the
running track. As I stepped on to the hallowed place I looked at the mostly
empty stands and thought what it must be like on an All Ireland Final Day.
The relays were all finals and after the Under 14 the Under 12s were called. I
was running from the second change-over and as I was placed in position by the
steward, I was sure I would run well.
The green flag was raised and the starter got the race underway. It was still
raining and the grass was slippery but our number 1 was running strong and in
second position. Just as they came to the change-over someone slipped and
caused a pile-up. When they sorted themselves my team-mate came up to me and
roared ‘Go! Go!’ and off I went in 2nd place and we held it to the finish.
As I celebrated with my team-mates with our second place, I was thinking of the
silver medal to go with it when an announcement was made that we had been
disqualified because we had no baton at the finish.
Our number 1 had not passed on the baton to me when they slipped and caused a
pile-up. So ended my dream of winning a primary school medal for athletics!
Back to the Front Page