Dunleer ace sets a new 1500m best

DUNLEER clubman Tomás Cotter had an impressive run in the Furman Elite 1500m in South Carolina on Saturday night, posting a PB of 3:41.66.

This follows Cotter’s recent European qualifying time of 8:37.12 in the 3,000m steeplechase.

Back home, Dunleer AC had four members in action in the All-Ireland Schools competition on Saturday in Tullamore - Niamh Connaughton, Emma Cheshire, Garry Campbell and Liam Connaughton.

While all did extremely well to qualify for this prestigious event, it was the boys who shone on this occasion as Garry won the Senior Boys 800m and Liam was a clear winner of the Intermediate Boys javelin.

On Friday night the younger juveniles had a great time at the local Blackrock AC Beach Races, with great performances.

Conor Brennan and Declan Mc Entee were first and fourth respectively in the Under-8 age group, Dáire Matthews (U-10) was third, and in the U-12 races there were podiums for Vanessa Brennan (1st), Matthew Fitzpatrick (2nd) and Matthew Mc Entee (3rd). At U-14 level Grace Fitzpatrick finished second in the girls race and Tiernán Rowley and Patrick Farrell were first and third respectively for the boys.

At the Leinster Seniors and Masters on Sunday, Pat Fitzpatrick had a great silver in the 5,000m Over-40, while Grace Foley medalled in her sprint events Over-45. Grace is in fantastic form, having run 1:12.7 for 400m and 15.6 for 100m recently.

Bank Holiday Monday saw the Leinster Team Event for juveniles take place in Tullamore. Dunleer had five teams competing, with the Girls Under-11s finishing a brilliant third thanks to their brilliant relay run.

Likewise, the Under-13 girls were in bronze medal position, with the relay again making the difference. The boys and girls Under-9 teams and the Boys Under-13s finished fourth. •Dunleer AC would like to extend their sympathies to the family of Mick Slevin, a great friend of Dunleer AC who sadly passed away last week.