Masters athletes break records at National Indoors

THE Irish Life Health National Masters Indoor Championships took place last Sunday at the Athlone International Arena. The Kerry Master men and women provided another enjoyable spectacle and age defying performances with records tumbling and new PBs created.

Kevin Lynch of Lios Tuathail AC was a double gold medallist, claiming the top spot in the O-40 200m and 400m – missing the national record in the 400m by just 0.2 of a second. An Riocht AC had a strong group attending the event.

Ger Cremin took the O-35 60m Hurdles title in 9.21, Jer O’Donoghue was the gold medal winner in the O-35 60m Sprint in 7.29, and Anthony Greaney was second in the O-40 sprint in 7.60. John McGlynn was third in the O-40 200m.

Castleisland AC’s Patrick Murphy walked his way to gold in the O-55 3K walking race, with Michael O’Connor of Farranfore Maine Valley AC taking gold in the O-65 age group in same event.

Maria McCarthy, Farranfore Maine Valley, was victorious in the 3,000m, a great return to the indoor events for Maria. Her team mate Sean O’Shea took 4th place in the O-45 Long Jump.

Patsy O’Connor (Tralee Harriers) was champion and record breaker again in the O-60 shot with a winning throw of 13.85, breaking the existing record of 12.12m by a huge margin.

There were also two medals for Iveragh AC’s Colm Lynch who won gold in the O-35, 200m and silver in the 400m. Ursula Barrett of St. Brendan’s AC took silver in the O-40 200m and there was silver also for Gneeveguilla AC’s Anette O’Brien in the O-40 high jump. Robert Purcell was the bronze medallist in the O-45 3,000m.

Great results by these seasoned athletes, proving results can be achieved with hard work and training no matter the age.

Shona Heaslip was in flying form at the Irish University Athletics Cross Country Championships in Abbotstown on Saturday 4th March, taking gold a full 26 seconds ahead of Michelle Finn in second place.

The Kerry Athletics Awards banquet was held at the Dromhall Hotel in Killarney last Saturday. This annual event honours club and county athletes from juvenile to master.

The Club awards went to: An Riocht – Stephanie Reid and Robyn Cahill. Farranfore Maine Valley – Siofra Foley and Patrick Kearney. Gneeveguilla – Jack Greaney and Sarah O’Connor. Iveragh – Donagh O’Sullivan and Brianna O’Sullivan. Kenmare – Abby Littlejohn and Michael O’Reilly. Killarney Valley – Alex Hennigan and Darragh O’Leary. Lios Tuathail – Michael Tony and Nathan Wright. St Brendan’s – Daisy Nowak and Aaron Malik. Star of the Laune – Patrick Galvin and Luke Diggin. Tralee Harriers – Aoife O’Carroll and Nikolia O’Connor.

County Track & Field awards: Senior Men – Denis Finnegan (An Riocht); Junior Men – Adam King (Iveragh AC); Juvenile Men – Conor Commane (Tralee Harriers); Master Men – Patsy O’Connor (Tralee Harriers); Senior Women – Clare Fitzgerald (Tralee Harriers); Junior Women – Aoibheann O’Brien (Tralee Harriers); Juvenile Women – Aoife Mahony (Lios Tuathail); Master Women – Ursula Barrett (St. Brendan’s).

Cross-Country awards: Senior Men – Tim O’Connor (An Riocht); Junior Men – David Kenny (Farranfore Maine Valley); Juvenile Men – Cian Spilliane (Farranfore Maine Valley); Master Men – Tony Harty, (Killarney Valley); Senior women – Shona Heaslip (An Riocht); Junior Women – Shauna Doellken O’Shea, (Kenmare); Juvenile Women – Shona O’Brien (Gneeveguilla); Master women – Maria Mc Carthy (Farranfore Maine Valley).

International awards were presented to Ger Cremin (An Riocht); Rachel Bowler (Tralee Harriers) and Laura Crowe (An Riocht). Merit Awards went to Anthony Greaney (An Riocht); Sheila O’Donoghue (Gneeveguilla) and Ciara Kennelly (Killarney Valley).

Patrick O’Shea from Iveragh AC was the very popular winner of the Hall of Fame Award.

Two teams were recognised on the night - the Gneeveguilla Ladies 4 x 100m Masters Relay team who have been unbeaten for the last five years and hold the national record. Collecting medals were Catherine O’Sullivan Moynihan; Elaine Cronin; Annete O’Brien; Brid Stack; Sheila O’Donoghue; Norma O’Connor; Jennifer Walsh and Eileen O’Riordan.

The second team was the Kerry Ladies Cross-country team. From An Ríocht – Shona Heaslip; Laura Crowe; Niamh O’Sullivan; Sharon Cahill; Suzanne Neilan; Mary O’Connor; Deirdre Enright and Catherine O Sullivan; Farranfore Maine Valley – Bernie O’Mahoney and Maria McCarthy. Iveragh – Grace Lynch.