123.ie National Masters Indoor Championships Masters magic produces medals at indoors meet
Sligo competitors excel at the TUS International Arena
SLIGO athletes excelled at last Saturday’s 123.ie National Masters Indoor Championship in Athlone. Fourteen medals were claimed by seasoned Sligo competitors at the TUS International Arena – three gold, six silver and five bronze.
There were two medals each for Mari Johnston (Sligo AC), Eamon Murphy (North Sligo AC), Brian Kinsella (Sligo AC) and Jurate Jucyte (Sligo AC).
Johnston’s double gold came in the Women 55 age group – she won the 800 metres and 1500 metres races in her category, clocking 2:38.93 and 5:26.81 respectively.
Eamon Murphy, a Male 55 competitor, won the 800 metres race and was second over 1500 metres. Murphy’s time for gold over 800 metres was 2:16.34.
Brian Kinsella of Sligo AC was in the top three in the long jump and triple jump. Competing in the Male 35 age category, Kinsella claimed silver (long jump) and bronze (triple jump).
Sligo AC’s Jurate Jucyte was a medal winner in the throwing events. She was third in the Masters Women Shot Put (W40 age group) and took silver in the WFD (weight for distance) thanks to a throw of 5.06 metres.
The remainder of Sligo’s 14-medal haul was shared by six others – Michael Carney, Patricia Lee, Mary O’Meara, Geraldine McKenzie, Marita McMorrow and Mattie Coleman.
One of the true legends of Sligo athletics, North Sligo AC’s Michael Carney, was second in the Masters Men 1500 metres (Male 70 age group). Carney’s silver time was 5:56.11.
Patricia Lee, North Sligo AC, was third in the 3,000 metres distance (W50 age group).
Mary O’Meara, representing West Sligo AC, took silver in the Masters Women Shot Put event (W40 age category).
Geraldine McKenzie, also of West Sligo AC, posted a PB (personal best) when throwing for second place and silver in the shot put (W45). Marita McMorrow, a member of North Sligo AC, was another of Sligo’s medal winners – she ran 5:23.69 for bronze in the Masters Women 1500 metres (W45).
Enniscrone’s Mattie Coleman, who runs for Ballina AC in Co. Mayo, was third in the 800 metres race for Male 65 competitors.
Also competing for Sligo clubs last Saturday, but not amongst the medals, were Bill Carty (Sligo AC), Conal Sexton (Sligo AC), Philip Steels (Sligo AC) and Peter Gallagher (North Sligo AC).
One of the main highlights last Saturday – from a non-Sligo perspective – was Shane Healy (MSB AC) setting a new indoor record for 800 metres in the Male 55 age group. He ran 2:02.46, beating the previous record by over three seconds.
RESULTS
123.IE NATIONAL MASTERS INDOORS CHAMPIONSHIPS
Held at the TUS International Arena, Athlone, on Saturday, January 13.
M50: 6, Bill Carty (Sligo AC) 9.30 seconds.
M45: 5, Conal Sexton (Sligo AC) 28.92 seconds.
M50: 5, Bill Carty (Sligo AC) 29.91 seconds.
MASTERS MEN 800 METRES
M35: 7, Philip Steels (Sligo AC) 2:22.36.
M55: 1, Eamon Murphy (North Sligo AC) 2:16.34.
M65: 3, Mattie Coleman (Ballina AC) 2:45.42.
MASTERS MEN 1500 METRES
M35: 5, Brian Kinsella (Sligo AC) 4:52.42.
M40: 5, Peter Gallagher (North Sligo AC) 4:34.19.
M45: 7, Conal Sexton (Sligo AC) 4:57.37.
M55: 2, Eamon Murphy (North Sligo AC) 4:41.73. M70: 2, Michael Carney (North Sligo AC) 5:56.11.
MASTERS MEN LONG JUMP
M35: 2, Brian Kinsella (Sligo AC) 4.80 metres.
MASTERS MEN TRIPLE JUMP
M35: 3, Brian Kinsella (Sligo AC) 10.30 metres.
MASTERS WOMEN 800 METRES
W50: 4, Patricia Lee (North Sligo AC) 2:43.23. W55: 1, Mari Johnston (Sligo AC) 2:38.93.
MASTERS WOMEN 1500 METRES
W45: 3, Marita McMorrow (North Sligo AC) 5:23.69. W55: 1, Mari Johnston (Sligo AC) 5:26.81.
MASTERS WOMEN 3,000 METRES
W50: 3, Patricia Lee (North Sligo AC) 11:54.35.
MASTERS WOMEN SHOT PUT
W40: 2, Mary O’Meara (West Sligo AC) 8.89 metres; 3, Jurate Jucyte (Sligo AC) 8.38 metres. W45: 2, Geraldine McKenzie (West Sligo AC) 7.93 metres.
MASTERS WOMEN WFD (WEIGHT FOR DISTANCE) 28LB
W40: 2, Jurate Jucyte (Sligo AC) 5.06 metres.