Heaps win national Gold
by Kieran Carlin.
Tullamore the venue for the combined National Junior and Under 23 championships, the warm but sometimes blustery conditions made it difficult for those hoping to gain standards for the various European championships up coming. A number of Finn Valley and indeed Donegal athletes from various clubs in the county making the long track, an exciting day's athletics with Nemours records broke and titles won.
The out standing performance of the day coming from Jason Smyth in the 100m, Jason brought Irish sprinting forward another notch when he became the fourth fastest Irishman over 100m. And for the second time this season he lowered Mark Howard's Irish U-23 record when he won the 100m in a legal 10.42 – a time that qualifies him for next year's European senior championships. Jason the double gold medallist in Beijing easing through the heat effortlessly with a hand held time of 10.48. His time sent training in Florida paying off.
Clive Heaps back in training winning the 35 for Distance with a throw of 8.33, Ian ward getting 3rd in the 1500m, having a disappointing run Ian will now travel to Belgium or Cork next weekend to try and get the standard. Pauric Mc Laughlin not being able to replicate his performance in the 3000m Steeplechase eventually finishing 4th, whilst Daren Mc Glinchey started out with a strong pace over the first mile with the leaders, the pace eventually over coming Daren, having to pull out in the last kilometre. The 4x400m quartet of Ryan Mc Daid, Ian Ward, Lorcan Mc Menamin and Pauric Mc Laughlin gaining silver piped by Leevale AC.
Other notable Donegal performances were Darren Mc Brearty LKAC in the 800m Darren looking comfortable pulling away with ease in the last 200m to win in a time of 1.53.68, Darren having raced earlier in the week and getting a new county record 1.51.77 taking the record from Gary Murray. Mark English also in the Junior 1500m coming through to take an excellent 2nd spot in a time of 1.54.25. In the under 23 800m Danny Mooney getting 2nd whilst Dennis Healey making the trip from London will be disappointed finishing 5th in a time of 1.58 Hand held. Karen Crossan Inishowen finishing 3rd in the U-23 5k 18.58.80. Patricia Boyle Cranford AC competed in the 100m and Long Jump, Patricia will be please to get Bronze in both events.
At the National Children's games in Templemore Co Offaly 4 Finn Valley athletes Charles Mc Daid, Denver Kelly, Ryan Finn and Danny Browne travelled with their parents. In the boys 600m both Charles and Denver as a team won Silver medals. Qualifying through the Ulster Games held in Letterkenny, having the grit and determination to return to his feet after falling just 30m into the 600m race in Letterkenny Denver made his way through the field to get 3rd that in turn qualified the team for the National in Templemore. Danny and Ryan just missing out of the medals in the long jump competition.
Results.
Results.
Pictures.
A load of pictures by Kieran Carlin.
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