Another successful day at the Connacht Track and Field on Saturday in Athlone with many impressive performances across a range of events. There were a number of medal winners in the Longford singlet who also achieved qualification to July’s National finals.
Emma Brennan won the opening championship race of the day when crossing the line first in the Under-17 2000m Steeplechase and followed it up later in the morning with gold in the 1500m. Emma’s brother Conor continued his good form with victory in the U14 2000m Walk. Robin Óg Murphy claimed her first Connacht title in the U17 3000m Walk while sister Molly showed more progression in the event when winning bronze in the U13 1000m Walk.
John Fitzpatrick won gold in the U14 Long Jump and High Jump and claimed silver in the 75m Hurdles. There was double gold for our 100m sprinters Holly Rogers (U19) and Seán Grealy (U17). Sarah Connolly took home silver for U14 80m and bronze in the 200m. A busy day for Marc Galligan who won gold in the U16 High Jump, silver in the 100m Hurdles and placed fourth in the 250m Hurdles.
Rian McCaffrey paced it well to finish strongly for silver in the U15 1500m and tied-fourth in the High Jump. In a competitive U15 800m race, Oisín Dillon showed good running form to take the bronze medal spot. Darcey Brady’s fourth place in the U15 800m booked her place at Nationals while Max Gallagher narrowly missed out on a medal in the U17 800m.
In the U14 age group, Leah Waters placed close to the medals in each of the Long Jump, 80m and 200m while also performing well were Sarah Taitt in the 1500m and Sam Davis in the 75m Hurdles. A long day at the track but good competition experience for our athletes with many new personal bests recorded.
Some of our athletes got to meet Sean Doggett (Athenry AC) who was back from the European Championships where he became the youngest Irish man to ever compete in a senior major championship. Sean was a member of Ireland’s 4 x 400m relay team and was presented in Athlone with the baton used by the team in Rome.
