Munster Schools T&T
Date: 16/5/08
Togher athletes headed for the University of Limerick this weekend for the Munster Schools T&F championships. The weather was pleasant with light winds and all the athletes produced some superb performances. First into action were the walkers and here Douglas CS had a clean sweep of the medals in the Junior boys 1200m race. Robert O’ Neill had a fine win with James Kelleher 2nd and Cillian Fleming 3rd.
David O’ Keeffe lined up in the senior boys 2000m steeplechase looking for a spot in the All-Ireland championships. He produced a superb effort with a time of 6.23 and a new personal best by 20 seconds however he finished 4th in a photo finish and was denied a place in Tullamore. Dave was very disappointed with the outcome but can take solace in the fact that his time would have given him the bronze medal at last years All-Ireland schools championships. The 800m races proved to be very successful for the club and coach Steven Macklin. In the minor race Eoin Bourke came a great 6th running a new PB in the process. In the inter race Michael O’ Sullivan won in a new PB of 2.01 with Conor O’ Brien a superb 2nd in a PB also with 2.04. The senior 800m was a real head to head battle between Ronan Duggan and Keith Maher of Thurles. Ronan lost concentration at a critical point in the race and Maher kicked for home after a slow opening lap of 60.5 secs. Ronan tried to catch him but to no avail. Maher won in 1.57 with Ronan timed at 1.57 also, a new seasons best. Alan O’ Brien ran a new PB to finish in 5th place.
In the u16 mile Peter Hanrahan won his first ever Munster schools title with ease running out front showing lots of confidence. Cullen Lynch had a super race to finish 3rd in a new PB. In the 1500m races there were some cracking races. The junior race was fast from the start with Emmett Bracken Douglas CS staying with the leaders. Emmett eventually finished in 5th place a superb result considering it is his first ever Munster championship on the track. In the inter race Brian Murray lined up along side the super talented Shane Quinn from Waterford. Shane attacked Frank O’ Mearas 31 year old record from the gun and eventually came within 0.1 of a second of the record winning in 4.00. Brian battled well against the very fast pace set and finished in 4th place.
The senior 1500m was a real cracker with nobody willing to take on the pace. The leaders came through 800m in 2.11 with Craig Murphy, Kevin Cooper, Niall McCormack and Gavin Downey all in attendance. At the 800m point Craig Murphy Douglas CS shot to the front and increased the pace. He battled all the way to the finish holding off a late challenge from Kevin Cooper to win in 3.59. Richard Quirke took to the line in the senior boys 5000m his first ever attempt at the distance. He ran a wonderfully controlled race coming 3rd in 16.58 and qualifying for the All-Ireland championships in two weeks time. Cormac Lehane representing Colaiste Chriost Ri also had a great run coming 4th in a new PB. A great days racing from all the clubs athletes and best of luck to all those competing at the All-Ireland Championships being held in Tullamore on May 31st.
Two Togher athletes took part in the BHAA 5km road race held in Ringaskiddy last Thursday. Shane Coffey finished a very good 10th place and Donal Coakley ran a big new personal best of 17.30. Well done to both athletes.
Photos from Limerick
Togher athletes headed for the University of Limerick this weekend for the Munster Schools T&F championships. The weather was pleasant with light winds and all the athletes produced some superb performances. First into action were the walkers and here Douglas CS had a clean sweep of the medals in the Junior boys 1200m race. Robert O’ Neill had a fine win with James Kelleher 2nd and Cillian Fleming 3rd.
David O’ Keeffe lined up in the senior boys 2000m steeplechase looking for a spot in the All-Ireland championships. He produced a superb effort with a time of 6.23 and a new personal best by 20 seconds however he finished 4th in a photo finish and was denied a place in Tullamore. Dave was very disappointed with the outcome but can take solace in the fact that his time would have given him the bronze medal at last years All-Ireland schools championships. The 800m races proved to be very successful for the club and coach Steven Macklin. In the minor race Eoin Bourke came a great 6th running a new PB in the process. In the inter race Michael O’ Sullivan won in a new PB of 2.01 with Conor O’ Brien a superb 2nd in a PB also with 2.04. The senior 800m was a real head to head battle between Ronan Duggan and Keith Maher of Thurles. Ronan lost concentration at a critical point in the race and Maher kicked for home after a slow opening lap of 60.5 secs. Ronan tried to catch him but to no avail. Maher won in 1.57 with Ronan timed at 1.57 also, a new seasons best. Alan O’ Brien ran a new PB to finish in 5th place.
In the u16 mile Peter Hanrahan won his first ever Munster schools title with ease running out front showing lots of confidence. Cullen Lynch had a super race to finish 3rd in a new PB. In the 1500m races there were some cracking races. The junior race was fast from the start with Emmett Bracken Douglas CS staying with the leaders. Emmett eventually finished in 5th place a superb result considering it is his first ever Munster championship on the track. In the inter race Brian Murray lined up along side the super talented Shane Quinn from Waterford. Shane attacked Frank O’ Mearas 31 year old record from the gun and eventually came within 0.1 of a second of the record winning in 4.00. Brian battled well against the very fast pace set and finished in 4th place.
The senior 1500m was a real cracker with nobody willing to take on the pace. The leaders came through 800m in 2.11 with Craig Murphy, Kevin Cooper, Niall McCormack and Gavin Downey all in attendance. At the 800m point Craig Murphy Douglas CS shot to the front and increased the pace. He battled all the way to the finish holding off a late challenge from Kevin Cooper to win in 3.59. Richard Quirke took to the line in the senior boys 5000m his first ever attempt at the distance. He ran a wonderfully controlled race coming 3rd in 16.58 and qualifying for the All-Ireland championships in two weeks time. Cormac Lehane representing Colaiste Chriost Ri also had a great run coming 4th in a new PB. A great days racing from all the clubs athletes and best of luck to all those competing at the All-Ireland Championships being held in Tullamore on May 31st.
Two Togher athletes took part in the BHAA 5km road race held in Ringaskiddy last Thursday. Shane Coffey finished a very good 10th place and Donal Coakley ran a big new personal best of 17.30. Well done to both athletes.
Photos from Limerick
