‘More joy for St Peter’s crew at nationals
ST Peter’s AC had five athletes competing at the National B Championships which took place in Tullamore on Saturday last.
The sun shone bright but not as bright as some of the young St Peters stars as two of them found themselves on the podium and one was heartbreakingly close to it.
Ronan Deery who unfortunately missed the Leinster Shot Putt competition put that disappointed behind him and showed that he really belongs in the A Championships when he threw a massive PB of 10.13 to win the gold medal in the U14 Shot Putt and he stood proud on the top podium position.
The ever improving Cian Gorham got his just deserts for his dedication to training when he won bronze in the under 14 800M. Cian ran this race very bravely and got involved in the business end of proceedings from the start.
The finish of the race was at a frantic pace and Cian battled really hard to claim the bronze medal. Lucy Brennan who has been very impressive at Long Jump this year continued to impress and was very unlucky not to medal as her best jump was the same as the girl who won bronze but Lucy lost out on count back with a leap of 4.14. Lucy also took part in the High Jump were she finished 5th.
The Allen siblings Sean and Dearbhla both ran in their respective middle distance events with Dearbhla running strong in the girls U12 600M and Sean having a below par run out in the boys U14 800M.
The St Peters Club was once again well represented on the Louth teams that competed in the National League at the weekend in Santry.
The Rogers family had three competitors with Emily winning the women’s High Jump with a best of 1.72M and was 5th in the Hammer with a best of 19.02M, Catherine was third in the women’s 1500M walk and Brendan was 2nd in the Weight for Distance with a best of 4.03M and having finished really strong in the men’s 3000M walk only to be disqualified after he had finished 2nd.
Conor Durnin was first in the men’s triple jump with a jump of 12.44M and Tom McGrane who also doubles up as team manager was third in the men’s Shot Putt with a throw of 3rd in the men’s shot with a throw of 8.94M.
Niamh Fussey also made her welcome return to athletics when she took her place in the women’s 4 X100 team, running the third leg with the team finishing in fourth.
After the two rounds it looks like both of the Louth teams will make the final with St Peters playing their part. DUNDEALGAN AC enjoyed a successful week on the track, not least at the European U-18 Championships in Hungary, but also nearer to home at the Louth Junior, Senior and Masters Championships at the Lourdes Stadium.
Israel Olatunde did the club proud again showing great maturity as part of the Irish team in Hungary when he came through his 100m heat in 3rd place in a time of 10.77 to qualify for the semis where he finished fifth.
On the previous weekend before leaving for Europe, he became the National Junior 100m Champion in a time of 10.73 at Tullamore. He now faces a quick turn-around on his return from Hungary as he sets off for Finland as part of the Irish team for the U-20 World Championships.
Meanwhile on the home front, other club members were competing at the Lourdes Stadium in the Louth Championships. Emma Conway, in the Women’s Senior Section, collected a gold in the Shot, and silver in both Long Jump and Javelin. Miranda Maguire won gold in the Javelin and Long Jump, as well as silver in the Shot.
In the Junior Shot, Connor Mc Carron won gold and Seamus Boyle collected the bronze. To finish off the Shot, Gerry McArdle won gold in the Masters Section.
In the Junior Women’s Section, Sharon Olatunde maintained the high standards of her brother Israel by winning both the 100m and 200m sprints.
In the Junior Section, Destiny James, won silver in both the 100m and Long Jump. Ronnick Achum won gold in the 200m and bronze in the 100m. Destiny Ohenhen, in his first ever 800m, gave his all and collected the bronze Medal. He followed this up by winning silver in the Javelin. Meanwhile Kevin Oladunnjoye moved up to compete in the Senior Men and was rewarded with silver in the 100m and 200m. To finish off the evening, Azeez Yusuf, made a return to competition and took the bronze in the Long Jump.
The next outing for the club is the National Juvenile Track and Field Championships on Sunday next at Tullamore.