All-Ireland Schools T&F championships
Date: 31/5/08
Togher athletes headed for Tullamore on Saturday for the All-Ireland Schools T&F championships. This annual spectacle always proves to be a superb day of racing and this year didn’t disappoint. With the weather being very warm and humid at times it proved difficult for the distance athletes. First into action for Douglas CS was Robert O’ Neill in the junior boys 1200m race-walk. Robert had previously won the Munster schools championships and was a part of the Douglas CS junior boys cross-country team that finished 4th in the All-Ireland Cross-Country championships in March. Robert showed huge determination and good technique in walking his way to victory in a PB of 6.13. This was a brilliant display of race-walking from Robert and maybe one day he can follow in the footsteps of another club legend in Robert Heffernan. James Kelleher also took part in the junior race-walk and finished a superb 4th having only recently taken up the event. Both these athletes will do well in the clubs championships in July.
The boys 800m races proved to be some dramatic viewing. In the inter race Michael O’ Sullivan and Brian Murray lined up in great form of late. Mike ran a strong race and was unfortunately pipped on the line for the bronze medal but he did however have the satisfaction of a new PB of 2.00. Brian had a good run also, leading the race through 400m and eventually finishing in 5th place. In the senior 800m Ronan Duggan coached by Steven Macklin produced an outstanding run finishing in 4th place in a new PB of 1.54. It was a blanket finish with five athletes separated by 2 secs. Ronan found himself boxed at 200m to go and was also clipped at 150m to go so a superb run from him.
In the u16 mile Peter Hanrahan and Cullen Lynch represented their school Douglas CS. Peter has had a cold of late but battled well to a 5th place finish and Cullen ran a great race to come 8th in a new PB. In the senior 1500m Craig Murphy had the gold medal in his sights. Unfortunately it was one of those days he’d rather forget with lots of bumping and pushing, slow early pace and he also got boxed in 2-3 times throughout the race. Craig finished in 4th place but no doubt he will be back to his best once he finishes his Leaving Cert exams next week. Last into action was Richard Quirke competing in the senior boys 5000m. Richard ran very well in a competitive race finishing in 8th place and no doubt the experience will stand to him for next year. Congratulations to all the athletes on a superb days racing.
Also competing at Tullamore on Saturday was Kieran Ryan who took part in the mens 1500m Irish Milers Club race. Kieran had a great run finishing in a time of 4.09.
Marian Andrews competed in Bedford on Sunday taking part in her favored event the 400m. Marian finished in 2nd place narrowly losing out on first place. She has had a very stressful week moving house and didn’t feel at her best during the race. She will no doubt be back to her best very soon.
Best of luck to all our athletes taking the Junior & Leaving Certificate exams that start next Wednesday.
Photos from Tullamore
Togher athletes headed for Tullamore on Saturday for the All-Ireland Schools T&F championships. This annual spectacle always proves to be a superb day of racing and this year didn’t disappoint. With the weather being very warm and humid at times it proved difficult for the distance athletes. First into action for Douglas CS was Robert O’ Neill in the junior boys 1200m race-walk. Robert had previously won the Munster schools championships and was a part of the Douglas CS junior boys cross-country team that finished 4th in the All-Ireland Cross-Country championships in March. Robert showed huge determination and good technique in walking his way to victory in a PB of 6.13. This was a brilliant display of race-walking from Robert and maybe one day he can follow in the footsteps of another club legend in Robert Heffernan. James Kelleher also took part in the junior race-walk and finished a superb 4th having only recently taken up the event. Both these athletes will do well in the clubs championships in July.
The boys 800m races proved to be some dramatic viewing. In the inter race Michael O’ Sullivan and Brian Murray lined up in great form of late. Mike ran a strong race and was unfortunately pipped on the line for the bronze medal but he did however have the satisfaction of a new PB of 2.00. Brian had a good run also, leading the race through 400m and eventually finishing in 5th place. In the senior 800m Ronan Duggan coached by Steven Macklin produced an outstanding run finishing in 4th place in a new PB of 1.54. It was a blanket finish with five athletes separated by 2 secs. Ronan found himself boxed at 200m to go and was also clipped at 150m to go so a superb run from him.
In the u16 mile Peter Hanrahan and Cullen Lynch represented their school Douglas CS. Peter has had a cold of late but battled well to a 5th place finish and Cullen ran a great race to come 8th in a new PB. In the senior 1500m Craig Murphy had the gold medal in his sights. Unfortunately it was one of those days he’d rather forget with lots of bumping and pushing, slow early pace and he also got boxed in 2-3 times throughout the race. Craig finished in 4th place but no doubt he will be back to his best once he finishes his Leaving Cert exams next week. Last into action was Richard Quirke competing in the senior boys 5000m. Richard ran very well in a competitive race finishing in 8th place and no doubt the experience will stand to him for next year. Congratulations to all the athletes on a superb days racing.
Also competing at Tullamore on Saturday was Kieran Ryan who took part in the mens 1500m Irish Milers Club race. Kieran had a great run finishing in a time of 4.09.
Marian Andrews competed in Bedford on Sunday taking part in her favored event the 400m. Marian finished in 2nd place narrowly losing out on first place. She has had a very stressful week moving house and didn’t feel at her best during the race. She will no doubt be back to her best very soon.
Best of luck to all our athletes taking the Junior & Leaving Certificate exams that start next Wednesday.
Photos from Tullamore
