Ulster track and field championships

Tullamore next stop for L.A.C juveniles.

June 2009

Two days of intense competition at the Antrim Forum where the Ulster track and field championships took place at the weekend saw Letterkenny competitive juveniles (U14/U19) battle their way to qualification for the National finals in Tullamore during July.

Saturday saw U/14-U/15 action while Sunday U/16-U/17 talent provided more enjoyable action as the athletic season now reaches its climax.

SATURDAY GOLD FOR GIBSON
Lisa Gibson (U/14) shot putt was LAC star of the day. Holder of a bronze medal at indoor level in Ulster, Lisa took her first Ulster gold with an 8 metre plus putt and now heads to Tullamore as Ulster champion.

With the club presently having great success at middle distance level it’s great to see a young athlete progress at field events and Lisa could be on her way to be a top shot putter.

Conor Morrison just missed out on the bronze medal in his U/14 800 metres (2.31.3) however his gallant fourth place qualifies him for the Tullamore finals also. Conor later took on the 1500 metres but just missed out on qualifying.

Odhran Doherty (U/15 1500m), Emma Horgan (U/14 800m), Sean Boyle (U/14 800m), Rose Boyle (U/15 200m and long jump), Lauren O`Connell (U/15 100m and 200m), Clodagh Brennan (U/14 800m and long jump) and Catherine Doherty (U/15 100m and 200m) gave of their best and continue to give the club great commitment .however Gibson stole the honours and we wish her well in A.A.I finals.

SUNDAY DOUBLE GOLD FOR ENGLISH
Mark English (U/17) followed his great performance at the Irish schools finals last month by competing in the 800 and the 1500 metres double gold success. His 800 metres victory in a top class time of 2.02.3 was later surpassed by a runaway victory in the 1500 metres (4.16.3) and on this showing looks a class act at the moment. Unfortunately Ruari Finnegan (U/16) didn’t get the chance to follow up his Irish schools gold success (800m).

When despite attending the Ulster’s, a sudden bout of tonsillitis and a high temperature prevented this very talented athlete defending his titles in these championships.

Hopefully he can recover and compete at the A.A.I finals.

Ciaran Lynch (U/16) emerged from this talented young squad as the new kid on the block by taking an impressive gold medal in the 250 metre hurdles. This was quite an un-heralded victory and hopefully young Lynch can maintain his sudden rise to prominence at Tullamore. Cliodhna Timoney (U/17) took silver in the 200 metres to also set her up at a championship final next month.

Monica O`Connor (U/17) 800 metres was a popular podium newcomer when her first bronze medal at 800 metres (2.33.6) was her first individual medal. Another diligent attendee at training, Monica deserves this moment of recognition.

John Foley (U/17) took up the challenge of his first attempt at 400 metres event and his silver medal in a very competitive final should give him encouragement for Tullamore.

Catherine Boyle (U/17 100/200 metres), Emily Greenan (U17 1500 metres), Gearoide McGeehan (U17 200/ 800 metres) all competed bravely in their respective events.

Athletes who have qualified for the National Finals should use the next two weeks in an effort to attain peak condition for the National finals.

BIG WEEKEND FOR U9-U10-U11 ATHLETES
Again the club should be commended for their work with the younger element that hopefully can progress to the class of the present set of talented juveniles. This week end the A.A.I children’s games (9/10/11) takes place in templemore Co. Tipperary and the club are giving the qualifiers from the recent Ulster games the opportunity to travel, stay overnight and compete in their first national finals. With a team element in events the travelling athletes of Ronan Frain/Oisin Bradley (U9 300m), Conor O`Donnell /Brendan Horgan (U10 long jump), Oisin Purdy/Michael McGory (U/11 long jump), Sean Curran/Michael McGrory (U11 60 metres), Eoghan Bradley/ Michael McGrory (U11 600 metres) and relay teams at U10 (O`Donnell, Horgan, Frain, Bradley) at U11 (Curran, Purdy, McGrory, Bradley). Then this trip should be a forerunner to further success for this newest crop of young athletes. The club wish them well for the weekend.