Double walking gold at A.I.T.

Brídín and Ryan bring the medals home to Wexford

THE FIRST of three days of national Juvenile indoor championship action took place at Athlone Institute of Technology on Sunday.

The return of the Siberian weather conditions meant that numbers were down. That does not take from a number of good displays by Wexford athletes.

Gorey athlete Corrine Kenny, now running in the colours of D.S.D., was edged out of the gold medal spot in the Under-17 1,500m by talented Westport athlete Saoirse O’Brien. Corrine’s silver medal-winning time of 4.50.76m was just 0.72s behind Saoirse.

There were two golds for Wexford in the walks. Brídín Doyle of Craanford won the Under-14 1k walk in 5.41.70 minutes, while Ciara Mooney (Adamstown) was tenth in the same race.

Ryan Kielthy of United Striders won the Under-17 1.5k walk (8.10.55 minutes). Jack Byrne (S.B.R.) was fourth in the Under-15 1k walk.

Tríona Mooney (Adamstown) placed fifth in the Under-19 1.5k walk. Ciara Murphy (United Striders) was seventh in the Under-15 1k walk.

Elaine Oladiran of Enniscorthy A.C. won a silver medal in the Under-15 shot putt (11.18m).

Orlaith Deegan (S.B.R.) placed fourth in the Under-14 high jump. Her best of 1.45m was actually the same height as cleared by all athletes from second to tenth! The places were sorted on countback.

Orlaith’s clubmate and namesake, Orlaith Byrne, was sixth in the Under-14 60m sprint.

In the Under-12 boys’ 60m, D.M.P’s versatile Kevin O’Mahony placed fourth in 8.57s, just 0.03 off second and third places!

Dannan Long (Enniscorthy A.C.) placed twelfth in the Under-14 high jump.

The Wexford Novice road race championships, due to be held yesterday (Monday), were called off as a result of there still being no Senior competition Secretary in place.

This follows discussion of the matter at the recent A.G.M. and a decision by the Board not to proceed with events should the position remain unfilled. As of now the Intermediate road race championships scheduled for Easter weekend are also called off.

In last week’s piece submitted for publication, it was mentioned, in error, that Conn Mernagh (D.M.P.) placed fourth in the Under-13 600m final.

Conn, in fact, took a bronze medal in that race. He set off at a blistering pace, aiming to put as much daylight as possible between himself and the rest of the field.

While a couple of his chasers managed to reel him in, he was still strong enough to up the tempo on the last lap and cruise home in third place in a race that, thanks to Conn’s hot pace, saw a new championship best performance. Conn is now looking forward to competing in the All-Irelands in Athlone on March 25.

In other news, the Co.Wexford Sportshall athletics finals took place in the Astro Active Sports Centre, Enniscorthy, on March 13.

The hall was packed with hundreds of enthusiastic children cheering each other on. The atmosphere was electric and a good time was had by all.

Under the watchful eye of Athletics Ireland’s Regional Development Officer, Colin Byrne, athletes from schools all over the county sprinted, hurdled and jumped their hearts out over the course of a frenetic and fun-filled morning.

Sportshall athletics is a fun-filled and action-packed version of athletics that is held on a basketball-sized court whereby the athletes, from third, fourth, fifth and sixth class, take part in six different relay events, including an obstacle course and endurance relay.

The athletes then separate and partake in six different field events, including indoor javelin, standing long jump, vertical jump and triple jump.

The victory spoils went to two teams from Adamstown (boys’ third/fourth classes, girls’ fifth/sixth classes), and two from Crossabeg (girls’ third/fourth classes, boys’ fifth/sixth classes).

These teams will represent Wexford at the All-Ireland finals in Athlone International Arena on March 21. Best of luck to those taking part.

Thanks to Wexford Sports Active and the Wexford County Board for making this a success. If any primary school within the county would be interested in taking part in the event next year, please contact colinbyrne@athleticsireland.ie or Wexford Sports Active on 05391-96557.

Fixtures: March 24, S.I.A.B. schools cross-country championship, Nottingham; March 25, Irish Life Health national Juvenile indoor championships day, Athlone; April 1 (11 a.m.), Mr Oil Wexford Intermediate road race championships, Enniscorthy, hosted by Slaney Olympic A.C.; April 2, Leinster 10 mile road championships, Raheny; April 7 (re-scheduled), Irish Life Health national Juvenile indoor championships day one, Athlone; April 8, Irish Life Health national spring throws, Templemore.

The Crossabeg girls, winners of the third and fourth class section at the Sportshall athletics finals.

Adamstown boys, third and fourth class Sportshall athletics victors.

Crossabeg boys, winners of the fifth and sixth class Sportshall athletics event in Enniscorthy.

D.M.P’s Conn Mernagh and Kevin O’Mahony, both of whom will be competing at the national indoors on March 25, Kevin in Under-12 600m and Conn in Under-13 600m.

Brídín Doyle on the podium after her success.