It was an action packed few days with records tumbling and our six squads and individual participants experiencing the highs and lows of Indoor competition on Saturday & Sunday.
Day 1:
Our two U12 squads were tasting competition at this level for the first time and whilst they didn’t get out of their heats it was still great to see the athletes performing well. Isabel, Sarah, Simone and Abby were joined by Denis, Oliver, Doug and Ciaran in the boys team, well done to both squads.
The U13 girls squad had a very competitive battle with GCH in both the heat and final and on both occasions were just shy of repeating their outdoor success last July. Having said that the silver medal was a fitting reward for their efforts in both races and the team of Emma, Laura, Audrey and Sarah are now consistently performing on the National stage. GCH recorded a National record when beating BAC in to second place.
Our U14 team were always up against it and weren’t helped with an injury to Kristina in the warm up and a muscle injury to Emma on the first leg at the 150m mark. The girls showed the fighting qualities and whilst they finished fourth in the heat, it was by far and away the fastest with the top three times qualifying and BAC marginally missing out before a technical DQ due to the Indoor markings for changes. The team of Ellen, Kristina, Emma and Laura will have better days. Winners Donneen AC won a pulsating final.
Our U15 team of Sinead, Sarah, Jennifer and Lara were also up against it and again the competition was fierce with a National record by SLOT in the final. The girls actually ran a PB in their heat but the technical DIS put paid to any chances of outside qualification for the final. However, a gallant run by the four.
Our U16 squad closed proceedings with an emphatic heat victory and securing qualification with ease. In the final they were tracking the Nenagh Olympic all the way and finished in a triumphant second place. Well done to Sarah, Robyn, Natasha (first outing for us in some time) and Anna. A great way to finish our participation in this years Indoor relays.
Day 2:
We had only a handful of athletes competing on Sunday:
– Isabel O’Brien had a great run in the U12 600m and finished in the middle of the pack in a race which saw a CBP by the winner from GCH. Isabel can be very happy with her time and performance. Well done Isabel
– Emma O’Brien and Laura Gallagher were competing over 60m in the Girls U13 and probably a little disappointing for both girls in terms of their expectations with only Emma making the final and finishing out of the medals. A long few days for both girls after their relay efforts in the U13/U14 yesterday.
– Doug Walshe and Ciaran Patchell were competing in the Boys U12 long jump and Shot Putt respectively and will have gained a huge amount of experience from his fellow competitors with some excellent performances from the top 3 in those events. Again, great to see the lads flying the flag for the club in the Field Events.
– Finally, Robyn O’Brien did extremely well to qualify for the Girls U16 60m final and was up against it in the final where she finished in 6th place in a very quick race. Again, a great two days for Robyn on the back of the podium finish on Saturday with the relay squad.
Well done to all the athletes and I am sure they are looking forward to a well deserved few weeks off.
