Killian thrust into spotlight after hat-trick

BOYNE AC are guaranteed strong representation in the upcoming National Juvenile Indoor Championships after a great performance by the club in the Leinsters at Athlone IT Arena over the weekend.

The young athletes were fortunate not to have to contend with the wintry weather conditions outside and could focus on the task at hand, and in the Under-12 boys events Killian Ekhator did just that as he swept the boards with a podium finish in all his events.

Competing in his first Indoor event, this talented young man made easy work of the 60m sprint, taking the gold medal, and followed up on day two with an outstanding win in the 60m hurdles and second place in the long jump.

In the same age group, Aaron Fennell proved unbeatable in the shot putt, taking the gold medal, and was unlucky to finish fourth in the 60m hurdles. Both Paddy Price and Amitesh Bala ran well in their heats of the tough 600m, both qualifying for the final, while in the girls race Ella McLoughlin also made a great indoor debut.

No stranger to the podium, Neil Culhane won his heat of the U-13 600m and was just pipped at the post in the final, finishing in an impressive second place overall. Adam Byrne ran a super heat in the U-13 60m sprint, while Max Kingston also competed well in the 60m hurdles, high jump and shot.

Saran Meite ran well in a huge field to qualify for the final of the U-13 Girls 60m sprint and 600m races, while Eimear Doyle had a good PB in her heat and competed well in the long jump also.

Cathal Monaghan competed well in his U-14 events, the 60m and shot putt, as did Sophie Gartland, Pelumi Fanfosi, Lily Cummins and Caer Ni Ghibne in their 60m and 800m races, while Anna Faulkner just missed out on qualification for the 800m final despite a super run in her heat.

Euan Canniffe had a tough battle on his hands in the U-15 Boys 60m hurdles and shot putt, but competed well nonetheless, as did Calum Sheedy and Killian McLoughlin in the 800m. Kate Kelly took part in the U-15 Girls shot putt, competing well.

In the U-16 boys events, Tom Cummins gave great performances in the 60m and 800m and finshed a super fourth in the 200m final, while Cliodhna Nolan ran a superb race to finish just shy of a medal in fifth place overall.

Also competing at U-16 level, Tara Meier proved she is making a superb return to competitive action following a serious injury last year, with a fantastic win in the 60m hurdles and a silver medal finish in the 200m.

Tadgh Everitt Thompson ran a solid race in the U-17 Boys 800m, as did Eva Cummins in the U-18 Girls event, while a great time of 2:00.47 saw Ruarcan O’Gibne secure victory in his 800m final.

In Athlone on Thursday last, Amy McTeggart showed no signs of slowing down, as she took yet another win, this time in the Combined Events in the Irish Universities Indoor Championships, amassing a total of 3,321 points and a new PB in the 60m hurdles.

Meanwhile, in not so comfortable weather conditions, Boyne AC newcomer Derek Boylan took on the gruelling challenge of the Donadea 50k race in Kildare, finishing the 10-loop course in an impressive 5hr 13min.

A little closer to home, members of Boyne AC’s Fit4Life group took part in the Erins Run 5k in Termonfeckin. Undeterred by the bitter wind, Sally Clarke was first lady home in 20:06, while Danny Nugent was first junior male in 21:11. Just behind, Catherine Tiernan Bell was the second lady home with a new PB of 21:26, while Nicola Veale was sixth lady in 24:25. Karen Fairclough, in her first race for Boyne AC, ran a super 25:32, with Edel NiGhabhann just behind in 26:09. Ruth McCabe secured a new PB of 27:09, with AnneMarie Garcia crossing the line in 27:53. Sandra McGuinness pushed hard to secure a time of 28:38 and Lisa Faulkner clocked 31:22.

Also in action on Sunday, as the weather continued to challenge the hardiest of souls, Rebecca Carolan took on the hilly Dune Cross-Border Half-Marathon from Newry to Dundalk, crossing the finish in a super time of 1hr 41min.