Team results ‘relay’ tough on Boyne AC
BOYNE AC’S top juvenile athletes tested themselves on the National stage over the weekend when competing in the Indoor Championships at the superb Athlone IT Stadium.
Day 1 saw the National Relays take place, where Boyne were represented by two teams who had qualified through their provincial championships recently. The U-12 Boys team were the first to take to the track, where the dynamic quartet of Aaron Fennell, Amitesh Bala, Killian Ekhator and Paddy Price finished second in their heat to easily qualify for the final.
After an anxious wait they were back in action, but despite superb performances from these talented young men, a mere fraction of a second saw them beaten into an agonising fourth place overall. However, with heads held high, these fine athletes will definitely be back for more in the upcoming outdoor season.
The Girls U-14 team ran a strong heat to finish second, but tough opposition in the remaining heats saw them miss out on a place in the final event, again by just .4 of a second.
For all that, this fantastic team of Anna Faulkner, Siofra Devine, Saran Meite and Sophie Gartland will not let this deter them as they too make plans for the outdoor season.
Day 2 saw the individual events get under way, with Killian Ekhator contesting the U-12 60m, having taken gold in the provincial competition.
A fine run of 8.61sec saw him qualify for the final, but against some against fierce competition a faster time than the heat - 8.60 - saw him finish outside the medals in fifth place overall.
In the field events, Kate Kelly threw a fine 9.81m to finish ninth in a highly competitive U-15 Girls shot putt.
A little further west, Bryan Curry took on the third race in the Run Clare Race Series, this time tackling the 10k distance, and he was delighted with his 47:37 finish.
Also in action on Sunday, four Boyne AC ladies forfeited the obligatory Mothers Day lie-in for a 10k underground run in Dublin’s Port Tunnel.
Marking the 10th anniversary of the opening of the tunnel, and in aid of Focus Ireland, almost 2,500 runners made their way along the 5k stretch of each tunnel, completing the 10k distance.
The sunny over-ground conditions added to the hot and humid conditions underneath, but the ample water stations and cooling fans eased the discomfort somewhat and coach Rebecca Carolan crossed the line in 44:04, placing third female overall. Nicky Veale took a break from her recent long-distance runs to finish in a fine 53:37.
Competing in her first 10k race, Edel Mhic Ghabhann was delighted to go sub-60, finishing in a super 56:08, while Julie O’Shea was thoroughly delighted with her four-minute PB, crossing the line in 1:04:55.