NATIONAL CHILDRENS GAMES

MEDALS FOR O`DONNELL AND DEYOOLA

June 2010

It was a “long way to Tipperary” for the national childrens games (U9-U11) held in Templemore last weekend. But never the less Letterkenny A.C were represented by ten young athletes who had qualified through the Ulster Championships and who knows the next big name in athletics could come from this bunch as they made their debuts at National level against other very dedicated youngsters in these team events.

Conor O Donnell and Umar Deyoola brought home bronze medals from their combined long jump efforts. Conor (3.54)and Umar(4.07) gave their best and finished third. Umars jump of 4.07m was the leading jump of the competition which will leave him in good stead to continue to compete in the long jump at U12 level in the individual event next year.

Hopefully these will be the first of many national medals to come their way. They were both members of the U11 4x100m relay team who qualifed for the age group final and fifth place will encourage these youngsters to continue in the sport following this great experience. Peter Mc Eniff and Oisin Bradley joined Umar and Conor as they came throught the morning heats qualifing in third place. Oisin Bradley, Nial Diver, Cian Harkin and Ronan Frain just failed to make the U10 relay final but again the experience gained here will be of great beneift to these youngsters.

Diver and Harkin can count themselves unlucky not to make the medal rostrum as they finished fourth in the ball-throw while Cormac Doherty and Frain gave their best efforts in the 600m.

Jennifer Kilcoyne and Laura crossan U11 took their place in both 60m and 600m and again these girls can look back on this debut experience at National Level. The club would like to thank Sharon Bradley, Neil Cullen and the young athletes parents for their support on this exciting venture.

This weekend, July 3rd -4th sees the first of the two weekends in Tullamore at the A.A.I finals and again the club supports the squad over the weekend. Good luck to U12 - Arlene Crossan (60m, 600m & L/J), Jordan Ryan (60m & 600m) Michael McGrory (60m & 600m). U13 - Oisin Toal (80m & 600m) Darragh Toal (80m & L/J), Lochlan Purdy (80m), Ethan McCroosan (600m) U14 – Natasha McArdle (800m) U16 - Rose Boyle (250m hurdles) Luke Bonner (100m) U17 - Ciaran Lynch (300m hurdles) Ruari Finnegan (800m) U18 - Monica O`Connor (300m) and Catherine Boyle (100m)

BUS LEAVES CHARLIES CAFE AREA 7.30AM SATURDAY MORNING