SEVEN MEDALS IN ODYSSEY WEEKEND

Juvenile Athletics

February 2010

Four gold and three bronze medals plus two relay medals, a tremendous achievement at the Ulster age groups juvenile indoor championships at the Odyssey Arena in Belfast (Sat/Sun) for the young Letterkenny squad who travelled both days to this magnificent venue.

But perhaps the pride of the coaches over the years was deservedly directed at the fact that three outstanding young athletes who came through the juvenile ranks took their place in the senior 800 metres final. This was a great moment in the clubs history as a tremendous final saw Mark English (1.53.4) take bronze on the line from club mate Darren McBrearty (1.54.2) with Daniel Mooney in sixth place.

There will be plenty more honours for these lads over the next few years so it’s all paid off for the coaches who gave and give their time to develop such talent.

MORE TO COME
The present crop of juveniles must take note of what can be achieved and seven medals at this year’s Ulster’s are indicative of the new talent emerging. The conveyer belt continues to turn them out and none more so then Ruari Finnegan (U16 800m), his gold medal performance blew all opponents away and there is no doubt this young man can follow English, McBrearty and Mooney into the Irish Junior network.

Likewise Natasha McArdle (U/14) who took her second 800 metres Ulster Indoor title with a terrific (2.31.3) performance giving her a great chance of National honours next month in Nenagh.

U/13 national cross country champion peter Gibbons took his winter form into U/14 800 metres and again underlined tremendous ability in taking gold on his Odyssey debut (2.25.1), again a prospect of medals in Nenagh.

With all the emphasis on these middle distance prospects it’s another bonus to have two young ladies take their place on the medal podium at field events.

Lisa Gibson (U/15) has developed into a top class shot putter and has improved her P.B over the past two years with every competition; this dedicated young athlete proudly took her place on gold medal position on the podium (9.70). not to be out done Roisin Ni Chuarainn threw (9.57) to take joint second place (U/16) shot putt, again Roisin has improved in this event and after a season with injury problems it’s great to see the young Falcarragh athlete back in action.

Two new kids on the block have surfaced and seeing these lads take their place in sprint finals is another bonus for the club.

Ciaran Lynch (U17) certainly has got the ability to concentrate on 200-300 and 400 metre distances and the bronze medal (U/17) from his 200 metre final will give him the confidence to have a good track season.

Luke Bonner (U/16) just recently recruited can also look forward to a credible athletic career. Making his first appearance at club level in Ulster championships he was certainly not over awed at taking his place in the 60m and 200 metres. Reaching the 200 final Luke took his first ever medal and bronze medallist certainly sets him up for more honours.

Another debutante Eimear Walsh (U/14) also displayed a great attitude in her 60 metre heats taking second place and her fifth position in the final will propel her confidence.

Rose Boyle (U/16) 200- 800 metres, Lauren O`Connell (U/16) 60- 200metres kept the flag flying for the girls with good performances, while Sean Boyle (U15) (2.34.7) and John Gibbons (U17) 800 metres (2.11.0) new P.B , both won their heats just missing out on medals in these time trials. Eoin Farrell (U/15) also made his debut at this level (60 and long jump) like John Russell (U/15) (60 and L J) competed well and will learn from this experience. Odhran Doherty (U/16) battled bravely in his 800 metres heat and will also benefit from his Odyssey appearance.

RELAY MEDALS
The clubs two relay teams also qualified for Nenagh U/14 girls Natasha McArdle, Sarah Boyce, Ciara Finnegan and Eimear Walsh taking silver in 4x200 metres. Silver also for the U/15 boys John Russell, Eoin Farrell, Peter Gibbons and Sean Boyle.