Bowler claims silver to finish as Kerry’s top performer at Juvenile Indoor Championships

THERE was a great weekend of action in Athlone for days 1 and 2 of the Irish Life Health National Juvenile Indoor Championships with Kerry athletes battling for positions on the podium and places in the final eight of their events. Tralee Harriers AC had a strong contingent of athletes in competition with top performer being Rachel Bowler, claiming a silver medal in the U-19 long jump, she also finished 5th in the U-19 60m.

Cillian Griffin U-16 finished in 4th place in the long jump and also 4th in the 60m with new pb of 7.41. Luke O’Carroll jumped well in the U-17 long jump, finishing in 5th place with a new PB of a 5.77m. Jordan Kissane finished 6th in the U-15 High Jump. Orla O’Reilly achieved a new PB in the U-18 60m, with 7.99. Bobby Byrne and Basit Oyebanji equipped themselves well in their 60m heats and just fell short missing out by one placing to get into the final.

Gneeveguilla AC’s Shona O’Brien ran a great U-18 1500m, keeping in contention from the gun and finished strong claiming a silver medal for her efforts. Gary Cronin ran in the U-18 400m, he performed well in the heats, just missing a place in the final. Darragh Courtney of St. Brendan’s AC competed in a highly competitive U-17 high jump which drew a large crowd and he finished in 4th with a height of 1.88m.

Killarney Valley AC’s Elizabeth Stack finished 6th in the U-17 high jump with 1.50m. Kenmare’s middle distance runners took on the 1500m this past weekend. Shauna Doellken O’Shea finished 5th in the U-19s with Alyce O’Connor taking 8th in the U-17s Elinor Dennison took part in the U-17 long jump and Christine McCarthy was in action in the U-18 high jump.

Lios Tuathail AC’s athletes were in action in several events, Aoife Mahony ran in the U-19 1500m, finishing outside the medals, Sinead Hunt ran well in the U-18 60m heat, and was just outside the top eight, Michael Tony and Ben Sheehan competed in the U-17 60m and long jump. Both boys ran well in the 60m heats and they finished 7th and 8th respectively in the long jump.

Some of the above return this coming weekend to compete in the third day of competition and are joined by several others from clubs across the Kingdom. Kerry Athletics wish one and all the very best in their events.

The Kerry Athletics 5km road race championships took place in Beaufort last Sunday and was expertly organised by Star of the Laune this year. There was a good turn out of runners and the fine weather no doubt helped to give the athletes a boost. The event was dominated by An Riocht with Tim O’Connor winning the men’s title in 15.55 well ahead of club mate Sean O’Sullivan who completed the course in 16.12. Cian Murphy from Iveragh was third in 16.21. Riocht A won team gold, Riocht B silver and bronze team medals went to Lios Tuathail. Top three winning spots went to An Riocht in the women’s race wit Shona Heaslip taking gold in a new personal best time of 16.09. Second was Niamh O’Sullivan and third Suzanne Neilen. Riocht won gold and silver team medals with bronze going to Star of the Laune.

Full results will be posted on the Kerry athletics website.