Impressive Meier clears latest hurdle
FRESH from her Schools International bronze medal less than 24 hours earlier, Boyne AC hurdler Tara Meier returned to club duties and bagged All-Ireland gold on the final day of the National Track & Field Championships in Tullamore.
Competing in the Under-16 250m hurdles, the Colin McHugh-coached Forest Park native again proved that she is fast becoming one of Ireland’s best hurdlers as she topped the podium once more.
Competing at senior level was high jumper Amy McTeggart and she cleared 1.70m to finish in second place in her event.
Anna Faulkner might be one to watch as an up and coming middle distance runner after she clocked 5:09.10 in the Under-14 Girls 1500m, finishing eighth overall in a tough field of 17 athletes.
Kate Kelly continued her fine run of form in the field events as she finished fifth overall in the Under-15 Girls javelin, with a super throw of 31.74m. In the Under-15 Girls 250m hurdles, Lilli O’Connor was unlucky to just miss out on a place in the final.
The All-Ireland B Championships were also held in Tullamore recently, where athletes who did not finish in the top three in their provincial competition were given the opportunity to compete on the National stage.
Neil Culhane stole the show on the day with a fantastic performance in the Under-13 Boys 600m. Clocking 1:42.08, he not only won the race by a clear 1.5-second margin, but also set a new championship best record in the process.
Clubmate Danny Nugent also had a great run in the same event, as he crossed the line in a time of 1:47.06, finishing just outside the medals in fourth place.
There were great performances too in the Girls Under-13 600m from Meadhbh Nolan, Eabha Cosgrove, Saran Meite and Katie Oluwasinaayomi. Saran also qualified for the final of the 80m, finishing fourth overall, as did Lily Cummins in the Under-14 sprint.
Sophie Gartland also ran well in the 80m sprint, as did Ella McLoughlin in her Under-12 600m, and she also contested the long jump, finishing ninth overall.
Tom Cummins ran well in the Under-16 800m, while in the field events Max Kingston finished ninth in the shot putt and fifth in the high jump.