Tir Chonaill athletes competing in the Irish Age group c/ships in Tullamore on the 6/7th July recorded a number of outstanding and podium finishing performances.
Katie Hoad, from Frosses, on Saturday morning, cleared a PB of 2.30m to win the U17 Pole Vault. This very popular victory was followed shortly by another of David Doherty’s coached group, Hannah Campbell,Ardaghey, who went clear at 2.60m – narrowly missing at 2.70m – for a bronze medal in the U18 age category.
Kelly McGrory, Laghey, on Sunday morning was in a class of her own when winning the U18 400m Hurdles – this was an addition to a bronze won on Saturday morning in the short 100m hurdles .Kate McGowan had a busy weekend –competing and winning silver medals in three disciplines/events. In the U17 100m Hurdles final on Saturday morning she recorded 14.61secs –all Tir Chonaill supporters thought she had won the race but the electronics gave identical times and victory to Kate Anne Doyle from Carrick on Suir.
In the Long Jump Kate recorded 5.41m and on Sunday in her first attempt at the 300m Hurdles was again involved in a closely contested race. Kate recorded a very good time of 44.14secs – six hundredths of a second behind the winner.
Caolan O’Callaghan,St Ernan’s, a relatively new comer to the sport, also had a hectic competitive weekend and recorded three PB’S in the U17 High Jump/5th 1.75m, Triple Jump/5th 1-1.60m and Long Jump/7th 5.67m. Emma Brady,Old Golf Course Rd., U18 Triple Jump, recorded 10.60m, for a very popular silver medal.
Mark McGuinness, Dunkineely, ran the race of his life to finish 4th in the U19 – 3,000m.This performance is the more noteworthy when it becomes known that Mark suffered severe blistering during the race to his right fore foot –necessitating a visit to the A&E in Tullamore Hospital.
Julie McMullan wins North Leitrim Glens Half Marathon
Julie McMullan, from Creevy, finishing in 12th overall position, was the first female finisher at the well organised North Leitrim Glens Half Marathon on Saturday. Congrats and well done to Julie who recorded an excellent time of 1hr 42mins34 secs. for the 13 miles plus distance. Also to hubbie Brian 1hr 51mins 11secs and to Claire Flood, 1hr 53mins 6secs.
The Erne Gaels 10k at Belleek also had numerous Tir Chonaill AC athletes involved. The race was won by Conan McCaughney from Enniskillen. Conan, a regular and welcome visitor to Tir Chonaill races, posted a good time of 34mins 20secs.
Sixteen years old Ryan Gormley finished 8th overall in a time of 42mins 29sec, Maurice Kane, 42mins 42mins 58secs, Philomena Gallagher, 44mins 26secs,Linda Ward, 45mins 7secs, Gerard McCafferty, 46mins 3secs,Caroline Spratt, 48mins 20 secs,Loretta Cullen, 48mins 29secs, Bernie McNeely, 51mins 1 secs, Paul OLoughlan, 51mins 42 secs and Carmel Gormley, 52mins 4 secs.
International Duty
Congratulations and best wishes to Karl Griffin, Kelly McGrory and Kate McGowan who have gained selections on Irish teams to compete in major championships during the next few weeks
Karl Griffin, via a number of very good performances achieved the required time/standard to compete in the European Junior U20 c/ships. The Ballydevitt man will contest the 800m where heats, semi-finals and final will be the order of the day as he toes the line in Reiti, Italy, against the top junior in Europe on 18th -21st July. Kelly and Kate have also been hitting the headlines nationally during the past few months and have gained selection onto the Irish schools Under 17 versus England, Wales and Scotland.
The club and the community support all three on this magnificent achievement.
Summer Camp
On Friday evening last the clubs annual five days summer camp concluded at the cubs HQ a the Abbey Voc School. One hundred and ten young athletes plus twenty leaders/coaches enjoyed a week of varying activities and challenges – including coaching the fundamentals of major games, sean nos dancing, art, gymnastics,sporthall athletics, athletics-including Long Jump, High Jump, Pole Vault, Hurdles, Turbo Javelin, Shot Putt, mile challenge and a sports/jamboree to finish. Thanks to all the young athletes for attending – no doubt many will join the athletics club in September – and to the coaches/leaders that ensured the programme was well planned and delivered in a safe and fun filled environment. Thanks to Jackie Harvey, Camp Co-ordinator, Mark Boyle,Katie Hoad, Jessica Quinn, Ciara Crawford, Niamh McGrory, Pauroc Harvey, Patrice Rooney,Louise Harvey, Anne McGowan, David Doherty,Paul O’Gara, Kelly McGrory, Ellen Doherty, Emma Brady, Eamon Harvey, Kate McGowan and Brenda Morris
Upcoming events
Team leaders David Doherty, Men and Jackie Harvey, women report full quads for Round 2 of the national League which takes place at Sligo IT on Sunday next. The women Premier and Men Div 1 have realistic chances of a top eight and qualification for the prestigious finals which takes place in mid-August
Best wishes to the numerpus club athletes who will partake in various road races during the next few weeks. A date for the calendar is the August Monday when the club hosts the Gathering 5k in Donegal Town –more information next week
From: http://www.donegaldemocrat.ie/sport/local-sport/tir-chonaill-ac-success-in-tullamore-1-5263962
