Monday, 30 January 2012 13:28

Swords Judo Club swept the boards at the All-Ireland School Championships recently, proudly bringing home a total of nine medals to the North County. Seven Swords players finished on the podium at the National Dojo in Finglas, where Eddie McLoughlin was particularly outstanding. The Fingal Community College student won the under-55kg gold junior medal, winning all of his fights by ‘Ipon’ total knock-out, as well as a silver at cadet level. A member of the Irish national cadet and junior squads for the last 18 months, Eddie also earned 100 points towards his national ranking and is certainly one to watch in the future. Elsewhere, there were medals for four other Swords schools, with Ciara Carroll of St Finian’s Community College taking gold in the under-57kg category and bronze at under-63kg level. Two silver medals went to pupils of Holy Family National School River Valley, where Sanda Rusu and Aoife Kearns finished second in the under-33kgs and under-36kgs sections respectively. Also, Ivan Sidorv of Educate Together Applewood took a bronze in the under-31kg category and another bronze went to Philip Young from Sacred Heart Ballyboughal, who took bronze in the under-25kg section, while Alexi Sidorv finished fifth in the under-35kg competition. A huge congratulations to all who participated and took home a medal.