Road race finals staged
THE Athletics Ireland spring throws event took place in Athlone last weekend.
Sonia Mooney (Adamstown) placed fifth in the 500g javelin while Kate Jackman was seventh in the same event.
Emma Owens (St. Paul’s) finished up fifth in the 1kg discus. One place behind her was Adamstown’s Marguerite Furlong. Emma also placed fifth in the 4kg hammer.
Pádraig Hore of Taghmon took silver in the 1.5kg men’s discus with a P.B. of 43.25m.
Thomas Furlong (D.M.P.) was runner-up in the men’s hammer (7.26kg.) with a throw of 55.37m.
Amy Forde (St. Killian’s) was ninth in the 3kg. hammer
Joshua Hewlitt of United Striders had a fantastic fourth round throw of 49.63m, a P.B., to win the 700g javelin. D.M.P’s Peter O’Shea got the 800g javelin out to 44.17m to place sixth.
The Mr Oil county Intermediate road race championships took place in Craanford recently. Hosted by Croghan A.C., it was a perfect day for running with glorious sunshine and little wind.
In the women’s 4k race, Sinéad O’Brien of Kilmore opened an early lead and comfortably held that right to the finish. She was followed by Kelly Long (Slaney Olympic) in second and S.B.R’s Louise Gregan nine seconds further back in third.
Slaney Olympic, with four athletes in the top ten, took the team title with S.B.R. in second and Slaney Olympic’s ‘B’ team in third.
In the men’s race Conail Cooper took an early lead in lap one of the two-lap 8k race. Cooper was gradually reeled in, and passed, by county Novice road race winner Alan O’Connor (United Striders). O’Connor went on to take the title with Cooper holding on for second from the fast-finishing David Kehoe (Slaney Olympic).
The team race was an extremely close affair with Slaney Olympic the champions on 31 points. They were followed by S.B.R. who, despite having four in the top ten, still ended up two points adrift on 33 points.
However, it is at this point that nails really were bitten to the quick as hosts Croghan also finished on 33 points! When the placings were studied, the silver medals went to S.B.R. and Croghan settled for bronze.
Menapians held a multi events challenge for young athletes in Rosslare last weekend. The aim of the event was to encourage everyone to try a new event and, on the competition side, to prepare athletes for the upcoming county track and field championships (May 7 and 14).
Participants got the chance to step outside the comfort zone by trying a new event, learn the rules and enjoy expert coaching. Most importantly, all had a fun and enjoyable morning of athletics.
Outdoor training for Bree A.C. takes place in Bree field on Monday and Wednesday at 7 p.m. Children aged four to eight years are in the top field with all others in the middle field.
Athletes must be registered to train with the club in 2017, and the registration fees will be taken at training sessions.