This year's ninth annual All-Ireland Schools Judo Championships attracted competitors from across Ireland, but it was Coolmine Community School who celebrated a magnificent feat in capturing their third successive schools title at last week's competition in Coláiste Eoin.

Albert Cherry, of Coolmine, expressed his delight after the win, saying: "It's our third year in a row and overall we got medals in every category -- their performance was brilliant."

He added: "They're very dedicated and all credit must go to their coach and former Olympian Ciaran Foley."

Under the leadership of team captain James McKeown -- who won both the senior boys' heavyweight title, defeating Synge Street's Aaron Brackett and his younger brother Conor in the open category, before taking the Senior Male Player of the Day title -- Coolmine's overall team performance was exceptional.

Other successes included gold medals for Radion Murtazin at U54kg, Gary Byrne U63kg and Carl Gallagher at senior U63kg, while Zoe O'Gara at U52kg, Keith Rogers U63kg and Oisín O'Neill won silver.

Under the guidance of PE teacher and judo coach Barry Finn, Synge Street CBS walked away with two gold, three silver and eight bronze medals in addition to the runners-up spot in the schools' competition.

outstanding

One of the individual successes of the day went to Dylan Donnelly, of Hartstown Community School, who took gold at U50kg. But it was his outstanding performance in the open category that excited the watching crowd.

Facing competitors almost double his weight in some cases, the student deservedly claimed the runners-up spot. "I did well. It was hard and I went up in the weights and I did the open. I was half their weight and it was great to win the silver medal," remarked a modest Donnelly.

His school colleague, Luke Kelly, won a gold and bronze medal, while Luke's younger brother Adam, at U41kg, and Anthony Dixon, at U63kg, took silver, with James McCauley adding bronze to the collection.

Ion Rosu, of St Marnocks, Portmarnock, made an excellent impression on his first All-Ireland appearance, winning all of his five fights by Ippon to capture the title at U41kg.

The junior event threw up some fantastic judo matches, including the final of the open categories between school friends Ian Byrne and Garrett Madden, of Ashbourne Community College, Meath. Byrne won with a superb Ippon throw in the last minute of the match.

In the senior girls' section, Kaylee Cherry was once again dominant, taking the U63kg and open titles. She defeated junior U63kg gold medalist, Polish-born Alexandra Radomska, of Ballinteer Community School, in both finals to pick up the Senior Female Player of the Day award.

Bogdan Tsukanov, of St Josephs CBS Fairview, totally dominated the junior event, winning the heavyweight and open titles as well as the Junior Player of the Day title.

Tsukanov said: "It was far more than my expectations and I'm overwhelmed by all of it."

Kelly Smyth, of Ratoath College, defended her title against Coolmine's Zoe O'Gara and took the Junior Female Player of the Day title.

Hosts Coláiste Eoin's Colm Ó Loinsigh won silver at U56kg with Macdara MacSean and Caoimhin MacGearrai taking bronze at U70kg.

Fr Richard Enjii's, team from St Michaels College, brought home four silvers and a bronze medal, while Blackrock College's Christopher Butler at U54kg and Daniel Hickey U56kg won bronze medals.

- Louise Browne