A rain free day in Santry! Today`s North Leinster School`s brought a welcome change in the weather, while needless to say there wasn`t any sunshine there wasn`t any rain either. The Clonliffe athletes put in another successful shift with safe passage negotated to the Leinster finals for several athletes but great efforts from all. The middle distant lads really shone today. Aaron O`Hanlon was excellent in the inter 1500 with a gun to tape victory by some margin in a sub 4 minute time of 3.59.1, only a fraction slower than his PB. An excellent run also by Ian Guiden in the senior 1500 finishing 2nd in 4.02.9, a PB by a massive margin. Conor King also impressed running 2.07 for 3rd in the senior 800 after a blistering 60 second opening lap.
Shauna Reilly was dominant in the inter girls 300m, winning both her heat and 90 minutes later winning the North Leinster title. A very good run also today from Roisin Leahy in the senior girls 1500 finishing second but impressing with a superb final lap closing the gap significantly on the leader.
The junior 1500m featured several Clonliffe lads. In this one top of the pile today was David O`Hanlon running an agressive 2nd and 3rd lap to claim silver (4.33) from Cathal Doyle (4.40) bronze with Adam O`Brien (4.52) 7th. Five minutes later and Adam was back on track running the U/16 mile, once again brave but wise? A tired 5th place.
In the girls U/16 Mile Laura Tuite ran a very mature race and was just over hauled for 3rd place on the last lap. Laura finishing in that unlucky 4th position in a PB of 5.43.
Joseph Hession was back in form today with a really good win the the minor boys 1,100. In the minor 800 Sean Carrig was 2nd with Greg Hessonny 3rd. Paddy O`Hanlon had a busy day. First off qualifying from his junior 800 heat, then finishing 2nd in the long jump with a 5m plus jump and then lining up for the 800 final. All of which took it`s toll as Paddy finished a tired athlete in 8th place.
In the minor girls 1,100 both Alannah Cooley and Amy McGrath progessed to the Leinsters finishing 3rd and 4th.
A word also about Thomas Ward who had his first ever encounter with hurdles and surprised all in finshing 4th and still able to walk!
Day 2 of the North Leinsters in on Friday.
Meanwhile south of the Liffey at the Irishtown stadium in Ringsend Elaine Begley won the East Leinster senior 400h. On Friday for day 2 Elaine comes down in distance for the sprint hurdles.