Ayr Seaforth athletes Andrew Murphy and Louise Hill-Stirling star for Scotland

Oct 1 2010 by Mike WIlson, Ayrshire Post (main ed)

AYR Seaforth athletes Andrew Murphy and Louise Hill-Stirling, both from Girvan, brought their seasons to an end by competing for Scotland.

Andrew, 15, took part in the under 17 age group Home Countries Combined Events International at Stoke against England, Wales , and Northern Ireland.

Andrew was second overall with 5511 points with team-mate Ian Coghill (Inverness) fifth on 4884.

This result caps an excellent year for Andrew who had already won the Scottish Indoor Combined Championship (under 17 men) in January in Glasgow, then was third in the English UK heptathlon combined indoor events at Sheffield in March.

Andrew was then second at Stoke in the English UK under 17 combined events championships with 5612 points.

His results at Stoke were: 1500m (5.07.11), 100m hurdles (14.92), pole vault (3m 28 pb), discus (34.98 pb), javelin (36m 89), 100m (12.30), 400m (55.97), high jump (1m 63), long jump (5m 97) and shot putt (13m 29).

Meanwhile, 17-year-old Louise competed in Ireland, near Dublin’s Wicklow Mountains in the British and Irish Junior Hill Running International where she was part of a three women (under 18) team for Scotland, finishing sixth over 5.6k in 28 mins 51 secs.

The under 18 team were third with 18 points behind winners England and Ireland with Wales fourth.

The international included under 16 teams and the overall winners (under 18 and under 16 teams) winning the City of Edinburgh Trophy was Scotland with England second, Ireland third Wales.

Former Seaforth outstanding young athlete Laura McGawn, also competing at Stoke, in the senior women’s heptathlon, was fifth on 4851 points.

As a youngster with Seaforth, she was a talented all-round athlete both on track and field events, particularly hurdles.

A former Wellington School pupil, Laura is presently serving in the RAF and competes in England with Windsor Slough and Eton Athletic Club.

Last year, she told Seaforth secretary and coach Glen Harrower that her ambition was to compete for Scotland in the heptathlon in the Commonwealth Games. She competed well at Stoke for Scotland in the Home Countries International.

Glen said: “Let’s hope her ambition can be fullfilled in the 2014 Games in Glasgow.”

lSeaforth hold their AGM in the Citadel on Monday, October 11 at 7.30pm. It is open to all fully paid up members (active and supporting).