Cronin’s bout in England cancelled

Tessa Denison

KERRY’S high jumpers stole the show on the last day of the Irish Life Health national juvenile indoor championships on Saturday April 7 at the AIT Arena in Athlone.

First up was Ciara Kennelly from Killarney Valley who took the Under 17 girl’s title with a leap of 1.68m. Christine McCarthy (Kenmare) took the Under 19 title on the count back, the only jumper in the competition to clear the winning height of 1.55m at the first attempt.

This was Kenmare’s first national title and fitting that Christine should win it in her last year of juvenile competition.

In the Under 18 girl’s event there was silver for Killarney Valley’s Elizabeth Stack with a clearance of 1.55m. Not to be outdone by the girls, Darragh Courtney (St Brendans) won gold in the Under 18 boys with a jump of 1.90m, once again triumphing on the all-important count back.

The final high jump medal of the day came courtesy of Jordan Kissane (Tralee Harriers) who took bronze in the Under 16 boy’s competition, his third medal of the championships, but more of that to follow.

The county’s other gold medal came from Conor Commane (Tralee Harriers) when he leapt out to 6.09m on his last jump in the Under 16 boy’s long jump. Team mate Jordan Kissane added to his medal tally, finishing in bronze medal position in the same event.

Also competing were Ruth Courtney (Killarney Valley) who threw a massive PB of 9.47m in the Under 18 girl’s shot to finish in fifth place, Gary Randles (Kenmare), who claimed a fifth place spot in the Under 17 boy’s shot and Rebecca Falvey (Tralee Harriers) who took part in the Under 16 girl’s long jump.

The relays, as always, provided high quality entertainment and competition. Lios Tuathail had three teams taking part. First up were the Under 15 girls in the 4 x 200m, who really upped their game and took over four seconds off their Munster time to cross the line in 1.54.4 and in third position in there heat.

They just missed out in qualification to the final as the top two from each heat went through. Their Under 12 boys team also ran well in their heat, but missed a spot in the final. Pride of place went to their Under 12 girls team of Mollie, Saoirse, Orla, Emma and Eimear who won bronze medals in a very exciting final of the 4 x 100m, running in a time of 57.9 seconds with less than half a second between the top three at the end.

The 48th International Race Walk Meeting of Podebrady in Czech Republic was held on Saturday, April 7.

Farranfore Maine Valley’s David Kenny was part of an Irish team competing in the Junior 10km Race Walk distance.

With over 40 competitors, David had a great race finishing in ninth place overall and was the first Irish man home with a personal best time of 45:23. The Irish team finished 4th. Whether this is a world qualification time is awaiting confirmation.

The Kerry Athletics Awards Night Banquet and presentation takes place on Friday April 13 at the Kenmare Bay Hotel.

Congratulations to all the athletes who will be recognised on the night. AT the Bowlers Exhibition Centre in Manchester last weekend, there was disappointment for Cashen Vale’s Kevin Cronin, who was to compete in the Heavyweight Senior class of the International Golden Gloves Box-cup as the event was cancelled.

An official statement from UK Golden Gloves Box Cup read: “It is with deep regret and disappointment that the second day of the event has been cancelled. The intention of the UK Golden Gloves Box Cup was to provide young boxers with a platform to compete in an exciting and sustainable tournament.

“Unfortunately, due to circumstances beyond our control and in the interests of the safety of the participants, officials and staff, the collaborative decision of all stakeholders to cut short and cancel day two, regrettably had to be taken.”

The Milltown native will be returning to London in June for the Haringey box cup. Following his bronze medal win in that event last year, Kevin will be hoping to bring back the gold this time.

Elsewhere. Cashen Vale’s Donacha Sayers bid for a second National Schoolboy crown was unsuccessful as he lost on a split decision to a former national champion, Bernie McDonaghy from the Dunfanaghy club in Donegal.

The 13-year-old Kilflynn star will return to the Stadium this Friday for the start of the Junior Cadets Championships. The winners in these championships will represent Ireland at the EUBC Schoolboys and Schoolgirls European Boxing Champions in Albina Bulgaria from May 21-May 30.