Cathal Doyle claimed his 3rd national 1500 title, and his 1st indoor title, at the NIA Abbottstown this afternoon. To say that this race was a bit ‘messy’ would be an understatement, from the off there was bumping and boring throughout the field, the usual slow early pace of course didn’t help, the prerace favourites, Cathal and Nick Griggs spent most of the race watching one another with neither prepared to make the 1st move, in the end it was the black and amber vest that bolted for home with coming down the straight with a lap remaining. The Clonliffe man led off the final bend but Griggs closed fast and edged slightly in front, in the drive for the line both crashed to the ground, Cathal landing awkwardly on his left hand, and as both recovered the result was announced 1st Cathal Doyle 3.49.11, 2nd Nick Griggs 3.49.15. In 3rd place was Lughaidh Mallon ( Lagan Valley) 3.50.91. A 1st national indoor title for Cathal, to go with his national 1500 outdoor titles of 2023 and 2022.
In the sprints Leo Morgan ran very well indeed, he won his heat in 6.94, was 3rd in the semi-final in 6.82, a big season’s best and in the final went even faster clocking 6.80 in 5th position. Kenji Miyauchi was 4th in his 60 heat in 7.18 and Michael Deady 4th in his heat, 7.27, his fastest time in some 8 years.