It was back to the home base of Tullamore for the Irish Life Health National Juvenile Championships last weekend. The event commenced Friday evening and ran through Saturday and Sunday. It concludes next Saturday (August 14).
Dannan Long of Enniscorthy was the star performer of the first weekend, winning both the under 17 200m and high jump and coming second in the pole vault. His high jump of 1.91 metres was a massive PB and the highest jump in any age group over the weekend. He jumped 2.85 metres in the pole vault and ran 22.87seconds for 200m.
Moving down to under 15, Michael Kent of DMP also had a winning weekend, taking gold in both triple jump, with 11.50 metres, and high jump with a best of 1.80 metres.
Jack Forde of St Killian’s AC capped a fine track & field season with wins under 19 in high jump (1.85 metres) and shot put (13.38 metres).
Kara Morrissey from Enniscorthy, competing for St Laurence O’Toole AC, collected gold in the under 15 pole vault with a best of 2.70 metres as well as taking bronze in a competitive 100m.
Ciara Mooney of Adamstown took silver in under 17 3,000 metres walk in a time of 17.03 minutes. Aisling Kelly of Taghmon was back in form to take a good second place in the under 19 100m running 12.75 seconds. Elizabeth Gahan of Enniscorthy made the final of the same race but was unable to run.
Shannon Codd of DMP was second in the under 15 hammer with a best of 47.97 metres and 5th in the shot put with 10.01 metres. Orlaith Byrne SBR ran well to take bronze in the under 17 100m running 12.62. Grace Donohoe of DMP was third in the under 16 javelin throwing 29.31 metres.
Eimear Halpin of Menapians took 4th spot in the 400m hurdles under 18. Judy Sinnott of DMP was 4th in the under 12 long jump. Bree hurdling duo of Katie Doyle under 15 and Abbie Doyle under 16 made the finals of the 250m hurdles both placing 5th.. Aisling O’Brien DMP was 6th in the under 18 discus. Triini Jurisoo of Menapians was 5th in under 18 hammer throwing 31.51 metres. Myles Hewlett of United Striders picked up an injury in the under 17 800m and did not finish. His team mate Aidan Shannon ran a good 3000m running 9.11 to finish 7th. Joe Byrne of SBR ran 9.04 in the under 19 race to take 8th place. Claragh Keane DMP found the going rough in the under 18 3k which was combined with the under 19. Despite being spiked she still finished in 6th place.
Other good performances were Chloe Reck (St Killians) 7th in the under 15 javelin, P J Breen (Bree) 7th in under 13 high jump, Conor Hancock (Kilmore) in his first nationals 7th in under 13 shot, Cian Doyle (Kilmore) 7th under 19 shot, Rayna Thompson (Kilmore) also competing in her first nationals 13th in under 14 long jump and Jack Halpin Menapians 10th in under 16 discus.
Well done to all athletes who represented the county with such pride and distinction on the national stage, and good luck to those competing on the final day of the championships at the weekend.