Eugenia Bateson Reports
Friday 2nd July
On a dull and breezy night in Tallaght Fogo’s army took to the track in the 3000m. The U16 and U17 Boys ran together making the race competitive and enjoyable. Sean Cronin, Oran McGowan and Devan Morrissey ran U16 with Sam Murray running U17. The Clonliffe lads packed in well in the opening laps showing strength in numbers and good team work. As the race started to thin out Sean Cronin held in tight to the two DSD U17 boys not even remotely intimidated by the age difference. Sean ran a strong race sitting on the shoulders of the U17 1st and 2nd place till about 200m to go. Letting them off to compete their own race Sean added to his Gold 1500m from the previous week, taking the U16 Dublin Championship 3000m title in 9:19 proving his talent in these middle-distance events. Staying with the U16 boys, Oran McGowan fell off the pack mid race but put the head down showing focus and determination and made up about 60m to put him back with the 2nd group. Oran sprinted the last 100m to earn 5th position with a steady and consistent run from Devan Morrisey to finish 6th.
Sam Murray ran the same race in U17 and had a very impressive strong run, showing great maturity and development finishing 4th. Great days ahead for Sam and one to watch!
Next up was the combined U18 and U19 Boys also taking on the 3000m. Sean Boyne and Ronan Donohoe ran U18 with new comer Cian Murray running U19. Sean Boyne ran a fantastic race looking strong throughout, Sean ran hard and was rewarded with a Silver for 2nd place. Ronan Donohoe let the race get away on him in the early laps but pulled out the same strong finish he displayed in the 1500m the previous week, earning him a 4th place in his 3000m race. Cian Murray ran a solid 3000m in his first race at this distance finishing in 5th place.
Also, out in Tallaght on Friday night were our Sprinters. Our only female on the night was Natalia Gill. While Natalia unfortunately did not make it through to the final of her 100m she certainly made up for it in the U18 High Jump taking the Gold Medal in this event.Kharl Balero having decided to specialise in Sprints was unlucky not to make the final finishing 4th in his heat. Keith Burke ran in the 100m and having run a very impressive heat was our only sprinter through to the final. The last race of the night saw a very close final. On this occasion Keith finished 6th, to be confirmed.
Saturday 3rd July
On a wet wintery Saturday in July!!! the Championships moved to Irishtown for the 800m events. The Boys U15 ran a straight final and was well represented by Clonliffe. Matei Ursachi added to his collection of Dublin Championship Titles and Gold Medals taking the U15 800m. Rory Quill finished in 4th position, Jake Kane in 8th followed by Cathal O’Neill and Jack McDonnell. The U15 Girls 800m was ran in heats with Rebecca Walsh, Sarah McDonnell and Cadhla Nifhloinn. Rebecca was unfortunate to have run in the fastest heat missing out by a second. Unfortunately, the girls did not make the final.
U17 Boys 800m saw JD Kelly take the silver adding to his Nationals qualification having finished 3rd in the 1500m the previous week. Other 800m results from Micks group are U16 800m, 9th for Christian Finn, U18 Boys – Jack Woods 8th and Andrew Gaffney 9th.
Katie Halpin takes the U19 800m title with a fine gold. U18 Ladies 800m saw Amy Sheehy who continues to improve and progress with a solid run taking 5th position with a tired Naoise Cullen, looking forward to the summer break finishing 8th.
Sunday 4th July
The U15 Girls and Boys were back in Tallaght for 200m. Rebecca Walsh and Ava Usanova both won their heats with Sarah McDonnell taking the 2nd spot in hers. Ava Usanova Claimed the U15 Dublin Championship 200m Title in a very close finish, with Ava kicking in to take the Gold and Sarah McDonnell taking a well-deserved bronze. Jaydon Carroll also took a bronze in the boys U15 200m, all through to the Nationals.
Keith Burke was our only U18 Sprinter out today. Keith reached the final on time but was disappointed to finish 7th. Fine runs also in the 200s from Daniel Ahern 6th U/17 and Natalia Gill 5th U/18.
Well done to all the Juvenile Athletes and the best of luck to the top 3 in each event who will progress to the National Championships.