Memorial Leon Buyle
Date: 27/7/08
Craig Murphy was the sole Togher competitor this weekend taking part in the Memorial Leon Buyle meet in Oordegem Belgium. This was Craig’s last race of the season but unfortunately things didn’t go to plan. After being switched at the last minute to the ‘B’ race with only seven other competitors, the pace proved to be very slow with nobody willing to take the pace. Craig didn’t feel good on the night and eventually finished 4th in 8.30. Although disappointed with his run Craig can be very happy with his season having had a very hard year with the Leaving Cert exams. Craig has run personal bests for 1500m, 3000m and 5000m this season and his 3000m time of 8.20 ranks him 7th on the European Junior rankings. Craig is also the number one Irish junior athlete over 3000m and 5000m by a good margin. He now takes a well-deserved break before planning towards the European Cross-Country championships in December.
Also competing in Belgium were Ronan Duggan Bandon AC and Michael O’ Sullivan West Muskerry AC. Ronan had the misfortune of missing most of his warm up and having to take to the start line with one spike tied. He struggled to a 1.57 run but has lots more in him. Mike brightened up the night with an outstanding run. His PB this season was 1.59.80 and after coming through the bell in 58 secs he looked very relaxed. Mike stormed through the last lap finishing in an outstanding 1.57.59. This time ranks him number one Irish u17 athlete and is a qualifying mark for the AAI high performance youth achievers panel. Mike now has his sights set on attaining the 1.56.00 standard for next years European Youth Olympics.
Congratulations also to our good friends, Ferrybank athletes Kevin Cooper, Shane Quinn and Gavin Downey who all had superb runs at the weekend.
Photos from Belgium
Craig Murphy was the sole Togher competitor this weekend taking part in the Memorial Leon Buyle meet in Oordegem Belgium. This was Craig’s last race of the season but unfortunately things didn’t go to plan. After being switched at the last minute to the ‘B’ race with only seven other competitors, the pace proved to be very slow with nobody willing to take the pace. Craig didn’t feel good on the night and eventually finished 4th in 8.30. Although disappointed with his run Craig can be very happy with his season having had a very hard year with the Leaving Cert exams. Craig has run personal bests for 1500m, 3000m and 5000m this season and his 3000m time of 8.20 ranks him 7th on the European Junior rankings. Craig is also the number one Irish junior athlete over 3000m and 5000m by a good margin. He now takes a well-deserved break before planning towards the European Cross-Country championships in December.
Also competing in Belgium were Ronan Duggan Bandon AC and Michael O’ Sullivan West Muskerry AC. Ronan had the misfortune of missing most of his warm up and having to take to the start line with one spike tied. He struggled to a 1.57 run but has lots more in him. Mike brightened up the night with an outstanding run. His PB this season was 1.59.80 and after coming through the bell in 58 secs he looked very relaxed. Mike stormed through the last lap finishing in an outstanding 1.57.59. This time ranks him number one Irish u17 athlete and is a qualifying mark for the AAI high performance youth achievers panel. Mike now has his sights set on attaining the 1.56.00 standard for next years European Youth Olympics.
Congratulations also to our good friends, Ferrybank athletes Kevin Cooper, Shane Quinn and Gavin Downey who all had superb runs at the weekend.
Photos from Belgium
