Eugenia Bateson reports: Day 1 of the Juvenile Dublin Track and Field Championships got underway in Tallaght today with a small but impressive group of Clonliffe athletes competing.
The day started with a cloudy and cool morning with U14 Boys, Shane McDermott and Cuan Higgins competing in the 800m. Both boys are showing signs of improvement in their racing technique and are progressing nicely. On this occasion they didn’t get out of their heats but there is nothing more definite than, there are good days ahead for the boys. U16 Girls was a straight final in what was a fast race with Sandy Rose Kivlehan finishing 6th
U17 Girls was also a straight final. Rebecca Walsh continues her fine form and was unfortunate to suffer a case of heavy legs on the last 150m finishing 6th. Ciara Sheedy finished a fine 7th place as she looks ahead now to the 1500m.
U18 Boys and a very relaxed and impressive win by JD Kelly. JD controlled from the gun and made the art of an 800m look easy. JD took Clonliffe’s first Gold and Dublin Title of the day. Zoe Mulligan and Sophie Rattigan competed in the U15 Long Jump. Sophie jumped a pb of 3.88. Zoe Mulligan jumped her way into the final where see also was rewarded with a pb of 4.19. Well done girls!
Staying with the Long Jump was the 2nd gold of the day with Kate Faherty winning the U18 Long Jump. Caoimhe del Bello finished 6th in the U17 competition. Young Ava Cosgrave took part in the U13 Javelin. Fantastic to see the throws starting to come through. Ava finished 5th and was rewarded with a pb of 15.21m.
In the 3000m Matei Ursachi took the title in the U17 Boys with a very well-deserved gold. Jack Quinn had a tough race today but finished well in the afternoon heat and will have his sights firmly set on his 1500m event in two weeks.
U18 Boys was won by Thomas Bolton (Donore) with Leon Brady hot on his heels to take the silver. A fine run by Leon. Oran McGowan took 4th position. The race was a combined U17, U18 and U19 which became very spread out and challenging to fight for podium places.
U18 Girls was also part of a combined race from ages U16 to U19. Hazel Kenny was our only participant and represented the club well. Despite getting caught up in a group further back that she would have liked, she found her way out and, with a very strong finish, took the bronze.
A great opening to these Dublin Juvenile Championships.
Day 2 will be held on Friday 9th in DSD with U16 – U19 1500m. Entries close this Friday, 2nd JuneDay 3 will be held on Saturday 10th in DSD with U16 to U19 events including 400m, 200m and Steeple Chase. Field events close high jump. Entries close Friday 2nd JuneDay 4 will be held on Sunday 11th in DSD with U16 to U19 100m. Entries close Friday 2nd June