National Indoor Championships in Athlone
After a hiatus since 2019, the Irish Life Health National Indoor Championships kicked off in Athlone Technological University of the Shannon. TUS has a world class facility, a taste of the future for some of the athletes present I’m sure.
The action was over two days, Saturday and Sunday, with the juvenile competition to continue on April 2nd. Sean Riordan was first up on Saturday for the boys U13 shot putt. He threw his longest throw on throw five, 9.38m, to get a silver medal. A fantastic achievement. Micheal Quirke won his heat in the boys U12 60m sprint in a time of 8.69s, 0.10 faster than his Munster qualifying time, and second fastest heat time overall. He had a great run in the final to secure a silver, but due to an appeal made, it was re run and he won the bronze.
Huge credit to Micheal on his attitude during the uncertainty around the race results.
He displayed a level of maturity and sportsmanship far beyond his years. Louise Mullins was a qualifier in the girls U15 60m sprint with a third place finish in her heat at 8.24s. It was a fast final, and Louise did not medal but ran a confident race. Elsewhere, Orla MacCallum came in fifth place on pushbacks in the girls U15 high jump with a jump of 145cm.
Day two saw Micheal Quirke first up in the boys U12 long jump. This is a great event for Micheal, with his speed and technique. Unfortunately things did not go his way on the day but the experience he gained will stand to him. Sean Riordan left the competition in his wake in the U13 600m, making winning an All-Ireland title look very easy. He has made this race his own and has extra gears when the competition is tiring. David Towey Junior is doing very well in the high jump. He was just outside the bronze medal on pushbacks with an equal best jump of 1.40m in the boys U13.
David also competed in the sprint hurdles and qualified for the final with a time of 11.18s. He ran faster in the final with a time of 11.06, but the competition was fierce.
Louise Mullins, won her heat in the U15 hurdles with a time of 9.47s., which was the fastest qualifying time. In the final, her two Munster rivals had the same finish time of 9.45s, pushing Louise into bronze with her time of 9.50. She was delighted with her medal and is looking forward to challenging the girls again in the Outdoors.
All in all a successful weekend. It was great to be back in full competition with high energy and loud cheering. Well done to all athletes from Fanahan McSweeney and beyond, and the AAI for a well-run fantastic weekend of sport.