Speedy Boyne teams eye National joy
BOYNE AC enjoyed a ‘relay’ successful weekend on the final two days of the Athletics Leinster Indoor Championships, held at the impressive new Sport Ireland Indoor Arena in Abbotstown.
Recently opened, this superb facility played host to an action-packed programme of competition where, yet again, Boyne AC well and truly made their mark.
In the individual events, Cliodhna Nolan got things off to a great start with an eighth-place finish in the very competitive U-16 Girls 1500m while, moving up to the Junior Men’s category, Ruacan O’Gibne was just pipped at the post as he settled for fourth place in the 800m.
Niamh Kelly showed a fine return to competitive action following injury when winning a silver medal in the Junior Women’s long jump and finishing fourth in the 60m hurdles, while Sally Clarke ran well in the Master Ladies 200m.
The highlight of the weekend, however, came in the relays where both Boyne AC teams entered scooped silver medals.
An exciting round of heats in the 4x100m relay saw the U-12 Boys team of Amitesh Bala, Paddy Price, Aaron Fennell and Leinster sprint champion Killian Ekhator blast their way through to the final with the second fastest overall time from 20 competing teams.
The final then saw this talented foursome pit themselves against the best in Leinster, running a fantastic time of 56.76sec to finish in second place overall.
The Girls U-14 team finished second in the heat of their 4x200m relay against a competitive field of at least 24 teams, securing them a place in the final.
As Anna Faulkner took to the blocks to start the tension and excitement was palpable throughout the stadium and a superb baton changeover to Sophie Gartland saw the Boyne girls move up to second.
Saran Meite held their position strongly and it was going down to the wire as the baton was exchanged to Siofra Devine. However, a gutsy run from this young lady saw her move swiftly from third to second as the finish line approached, securing silver for the team in a time of 1:55.60.
Both teams now qualify for the Nationals on March 25th.