Gold and silver for combined duo Forde and Byrne
THE IRISH Life Health indoor combined events championships took place in Athlone on Saturday.
The county’s top two under-age multi-eventers, Saidhbhe Byrne (Enniscorthy) and Jack Forde (St. Killian’s) were in action in the five-event pentathlon.
Saidhbhe, competing Under-15, placed second with a total of 2,800 points. In doing so she notched up a P.B. of 10.23m in shot putt (2.72kg).
She ran 10.09s in 60m hurdles, jumped 1.45m in high jump, 4.67m in long jump, and finished with 2.44.55m in 800m.
Saidhbhe really is a class act in so many ways - consistent, competitive and cool under pressure. She couldn’t ask for a better start to her year.
Jack went one better when he took the national Under-16 title. Notwithstanding the fact that Jack has just enjoyed his most successful year yet, it is probably fair to say that most would have expected Leevale’s Reece Ademola to come out on top.
Indeed, with two events down - 60m hurdles and long jump, it certainly looked as though that would be the case: Reece 1,263 points, Jack 1,106 points.
The next event was shot putt. Up stepped Jack and launched that sphere out 14.71m.
Reece managed a respectable 12.12m. Reece was now on 1,877 points, with Jack on 1,878 points.
Fourth event was the high jump. Jack cleared 1.76m to Reece’s 1.79m. Reece: 2,496, Jack 2,471.
And so to the final event - 800m. 400m into the race Jack was looking majestic as he built up a strong lead.
Did he know that Reece had retired from the race? It didn’t matter as it transpired.
He had a race to run and that’s all he was thinking about.
His winning 2.16.13m time gave him a grand total of 3,348 points and the gold medal.
Gavin Kelly of United Striders came second in national combined events M50.
Slaney Olympic’s John O’ Connor placed fourth in the Masters on 2,242 points, just 18 points behind the bronze medal winner.
The A.G.M. of Wexford Athletics takes place at The Athenaeum, Enniscorthy this Wednesday, January 24 (7.30 p.m.).
If you want to play a part in shaping the future development of athletics in Co. Wexford, you are encouraged to attend.
Mr Oil will continue its sponsorship of Athletics Wexford for 2018.
This will be the company’s fifth year as main sponsor.
Fixtures: January 24, Wexford Athletics A.G.M., The Athenaeum, Enniscorthy, 7.30 p.m.; January 27, Irish Life Health National Indoor League round two, Athlone; January 28, Irish Life Health National Indoor Junior and Under-23, Athlone; February 3, Irish Life Health National Indoor League final, Abbotstown; February 4, Irish Life Health A.A.I. Indoor Games, Abbotstown.