Derry St John Ambulance teams clean up at All-Ireland competition in Dublin

St. John Ambulance Northland Cadets Senior team winners of the All Ireland Youth First Aid Competition held in Tallagh, Dublin. From left, are Linda Heaney, coach, Kelsey Burke, Jude Kerr, Chloe McCallikon, Caiden Morrison, Glen Wray, Callum O'Hagan and Kayla Casey. | Tom Heaney (nwpresspics)

placeholder image — St. John Ambulance Northland Cadets Senior team winners of the All Ireland Youth First Aid Competition held in Tallagh, Dublin. From left, are Linda Heaney, coach, Kelsey Burke, Jude Kerr, Chloe McCallikon, Caiden Morrison, Glen Wray, Callum O'Hagan and Kayla Casey. | Tom Heaney (nwpresspics)

Northland and Belmont youth squads clinch top honours

Youth volunteers from St John Ambulance Derry are celebrating a historic double victory after dominating the podium at the prestigious All-Ireland Youth First Aid Competition held in Tallaght, Dublin, over the weekend.

The highly competitive annual tournament brings together the finest young lifesavers from across Ireland to test their emergency response skills, diagnostic speed, and teamwork under intense pressure in simulated real-life casualty scenarios.

The Derry delegation secured a spectacular clean sweep across both major categories: Senior Competition Winners: St John Ambulance Northland Cadets Senior Team; Junior Competition Winners: St John Ambulance Junior Northlands & Belmont Team.

The exceptional results showcase the elite standard of first aid training, leadership, and dedication maintained by the young cadets and their volunteer leaders at the Northland and Belmont divisions.

St. John Ambulance Junior Northlands & Belmont team winners of the All Ireland Youth First Aid Competition held in Tallagh, Dublin. From left, are Denis White, coach, Grach Lough, Caolán McKnight, Lucie Wray, Hannah McGahey and Sophia Kelly. | Tom Heaney (nwpresspics)

Faced with complex medical emergencies and trauma simulations, both teams demonstrated technical proficiency and calm reassurance, earning top marks from the panel of national adjudicators.

The double triumph cements the local divisions' reputation as a premier hub for youth development and community first aid excellence in the North West.

Following their national success, the trophies were brought back to the Derry headquarters, where family, friends, and fellow volunteers gathered to congratulate the newly crowned All-Ireland champions.