The first IT Sligo College Races which took place recently were organised by the Institute’s year one students from the Bachelor of Business Studies in Recreation and Leisure. Competing for the Martin Sheridan Perpetual Trophy – kindly sponsored by the Bank of Ireland, were seven local teams.
Each team which comprised of three men and three women participated in events ranging from sprints, middle distance and relay to field events, shot putt, long jump and Javelin.
Martin Sheridan who was originally from Bohola, Co. Mayo left his native county in 1888, aged sixteen, emigrated to America where he joined the New York Police Department. He signed up in the local athletics club and quickly became a fine athlete, winning many American gold medals in discus throwing and other events. In 1908 he took three Olympic medals at the games in London, setting an Olympic record of 40.89 meters (134.2 feet). In his career Martin won nine Olympic medals in total. In recognition of his outstanding achievements, an athletics trophy is now awarded in his honour.
Martin Sheridan who was originally from Bohola, Co. Mayo won nine Olympic medals throughout his athletic career. The Martin Sheridan Perpetual trophy was awarded to the Summerhill College/Ursuline College team at the first ever IT Sligo College Races held recently
The inspirational statue and historical stand in Bohola, just 40 miles from Sligo is part motivation for choosing Martin Sheridan as patron of the first College Races in IT Sligo. The teams who took part were:
- Summerhill College/Ursuline College
- Sligo Grammar School
- IT Sligo International Students
- IT Sligo Recreation and Leisure Team 1
- MercyCollege/Summerhill College
The team with the highest accumulated points on the day was the Summerhill College/Ursuline College team who were presented with the Martin Sheridan Perpetual Trophy. Medals were also awarded to the top five teams. All prizes were presented by the staff of IT Sligo.
Members of the Summerhill College/Ursuline College team who won the Martin Sheridan Perpetual trophy at the first ever IT Sligo College Races
Organised and run by the first year Recreation and Leisure students under the tutorship of their lecturer Kerry Larkin, the meeting was a huge success and is expected to be an annual event. Martin Sheridan’s spirit lives on!
For further information please contact:
Mr. Kerry Larkin
Lecturer
Phone: 071 9155244
Email: larkin.kerry@nullitsligo.ie