Season Closes with Final Weekend of All Ireland Championships
The track and field season is coming to a close as last weekend we had the final two days of All Ireland Championships. It has been a long as successful season with our athletes who first took to the track on Easter Monday at St Senan’s Open Sports and followed up with County Munster and All Ireland Schools and Club championships. Our athletes and coaches will now take a well deserved rest and regroup ready for the cross country season in August.
First All Ireland Medal for Sophie Beresford
Sophie Beresford has really taken to the racewalking this year and with success in the Munster championships under her belt she headed to Tullamore for her first All Ireland track and field championships. From the start of the under 14 girls race Amy Walsh St Joseph’s set a fast pace as she took up the lead. She was followed by Sophie who set off at a steady fast pace. Within a short time it was clear where the medals would go as long as the athletes didn’t fall foul of the judges. Sophie held her technique well and was well clear of the chasing bunch as she strode to the finishing line in second place. Her time of 11.05 was almost half a minute faster than her winning time in the Munster. Sophie has benefitted from the mentoring of Kate Veale over the past few weeks and it showed in her performance on Saturday.
Bronze Medal for Eabha Hickey in under 17 Event
The Hickey sisters Eabha and Doireann are no strangers to Tullamore and to podium finishes in the race walking events where over the past five years one or either and sometimes both have made the podium at the All Ireland Championships. This year it was Eabha’s turn to step onto the podium having just missed out last year. In a very competitive walk that included under 17,18 and 19 athletes. Eabha finished third behind Maria Coone DMPAC and Ciara Gilmore Tuam. Eabha’s time of 18.16 took almost a minute off her Munster winning time. In the under 18 girls Doireann had to settle for 5th place despite walking faster than her winning time ion Munster. The winner was Sinead Maher South Galway who had the walk of her life beating last years under 18 champion Aisling Lane for the first time.
Good Run by Fia de Paor in under 16 3000m
After the excitement of the walks we had to wait for several hours for our next competitor to take to the track as Fia de Paor lined up for the under 16 girls 3000m. Fia qualified for this event by finishing third in the Munster Championships but on Saturday she upped her game and held her form well in the chasing pack to come home in 6th place in a time of 11.13.37 which wasn’t far off her personal best. She had the satisfaction of being the first Munster girls home finishing ahead of Munster Champion Rachel O’Flynn and second placed Emily Singleton.
5th place for Noah in the 1500m and Saoirse in the Hammer
Noah Commins found himself in a very competitive under 15 boys 1500m. He started well as he got up with the leading bunch and held his place through the first 700m however when the pace hotted up in the third lap he found himself adrift from the leading group and they he chased them all the way to the line the gap was just that too wide and he had to settle for 5th place in a time 4.31.41.
In the hammer Saoirse Quinn is inching her way towards the 40m mark with another personal best of 38m.42 in the under 18 girls hammer which was good enough for 5th place on the day.
In the girls under 15 shot Michalina Goclik competed in only her fourth ever shot and it was a big step up to compete at national level. Her best throw was her third throw a distance that would have got her in to the last eight but it clipped the sector line and unlike tennis where if its on the line its in at this event if its on the line its out. It was a big achievement for Michalina to reach the All Ireland in her first season and she will benefit from more competition and be back again next year.
This completes the track season for most of our athletes so well done to Kate, Jamie, Suzie, Bro. Lennon, Greg, Shane, Tony and Mary who coached and mentored our older athletes all season long and Antoinette, Michelle, Slyvia, Silvia, Rosemary, Ravis, Brian, Pat, Debra, Lorna and Linda who worked with our younger athletes all season. We are lucky to have such dedicated coaches and mentors.
Templemore Throws Festival
Saoirse Quinn,(Hammer and Discus) Michalina Goclik (Shot and Discus) and Lily Burke (Discus) will finish out their season by competing in the Templemore Throws Festival on Sunday August 6th and Sophie Beresford will compete in the 2k walk. Best of luck to them all.
