Final weekend of the 2022 All Ireland Indoor Championships
Hard to believe it, but last weekend was the final one of the 2022 All Ireland Indoor Championships in the TUS Athlone. The changing of the clock and a few fine days turns the thoughts to fields and outdoor tracks, and everyone is already looking forward to the outdoor season. Day 3 of the Indoor Juvenile Championships saw a small but determined crew travel to the centre of Ireland, to the world class facility in the former Institute of Technology. Kotryna Pacerinskaite showed her mettle in the U18 3kg shot put with a best throw of 13.32m and a silver medal.
This is an event that Kotryna has dominated in recent years. She found a great competitor in Northern Ireland’s Paige Stevens who threw 14.48m to get the gold. Paige has a pb of 14.55m which she threw in the provincials in March 2022, and will no doubt give Kotryna the competition she is looking for.
Elsewhere, the boys U13 4x200m relay team were on the track. These boys have had great success over the years, and were lining up with a silver Munster medal in their pocket. They came second place to Midleton in Nenagh last month. There were 13 teams on the card, run in three heats. Fanahan Mc Sweeneys team of Eoin Toland, Sean Riordan, David Towey Jr and Oran Hegarty ran a fantastic time to put them in second place behind Newbridge AC. Unfortunately, the race referee called the two top teams and their coaches aside following the race, and disqualified them both on a technical infringement. Despite appeals, the medals were awarded to the number 3, 4 and 5 teams. It was a very difficult decision for the young athletes involved, but this sport is governed by very strict rules in all age groups. No doubt the lads will be back to demonstrate their strength and speed in the outdoors.
Elsewhere on Sunday the AAI held their Spring Throwing competition in Templemore. Diarmuid Towey took gold in the U16 hammer and Kotryna took bronze in the U18 hammer. Another great day for Fanahan McSweeney AC.
Next weekend it’s the Avondhu Championships in MTU. Big numbers are expected from the divisional clubs and there is lots of excitement amongst athletes and coaches alike.