Combined win for golden girl Saidhbhe

ENNISCORTHY A.C. brought four athletes to Kilkenny for the Leinster combined events.

First up, competing at Under-15, was Saidhbhe Byrne. She started her campaign with a runaway victory in the 80m hurdles in a time of 13.01s.

She followed this with another win in the high jump, clearing 1.50m. She then placed second in both the shot putt and 800m. Saidhbhe took the gold 175 points ahead of her nearest rival.

Margaret O’Connor and Emily Waldron, both new to Enniscorthy A.C. and novices to combined events, had fantastic performances to take silver Over-45 and gold Over-35 respectively.

Maggie had a best of 1.10m in the high jump and 5.80m in the 4kg shot. Emily had a best of 1.15m in the shot, 4.10m in the long jump, and she won the 800m comfortably in 2.40 minutes.

John O’Connor, a combined events veteran, had a fantastic day, taking gold Over-50. John produced two P.B’s, the first in the 100m sprint in which he clocked 13.34s to finish a very close second; he then got the shot out to 9.02m, another P.B. He wrapped up his series with an easy win in the 1,500m to take the gold.

Deirdre Kavanagh of Slaney Olympic, despite being a novice to the event, was delighted to win a gold medal Over-50 despite carrying an injury going in to the shot putt and 800m. Steely determination!

Aine Cullen of United Striders placed third Over-40.