March 30th: This weekend saw some fantastic results from the National Juvenile Indoor Championships
in Athlone. From seasoned athletes to some of our first timers, the Juveniles did not
disappoint. For some the highlight was getting their personalised hoddie which at times is
more important to the athletes than the medals – it is worn proudly as a badge of honour.
That said, when it came to the business on hand, these young athletes certainly showed
great focus and determination and were keen to do themselves and their coaches proud.
And that they did!
Lots to report on so we will start with the Medals.
U13 Boys Long Jump – Bronze saw Rhys Daly take the bronze in a jump of 4.60 on his 6 th
Jump of the day, literally jumping his way to secure the podium position in his final jump.
Rhys has been working very diligently on his Long Jump technique and his hard work as
afforded him a National Bronze medal.
U15 Boys 800m – Silver. Two heats run on times saw Braxton O’Shea take a comfortable
win in heat 1. He then had an anxious wait for heat 2 to see if he would make a well-
deserved podium position. Darragh Whelan from Limerick A.C had a stormer of a run taking
the championship record and gold position in a time of 1:59.96 and the gold give Braxton the
silver with his time of 2.08.32. An amazing result for Braxton, again showing the hard work
and commitment to his training paying off.
U18 Girls 1500m – Gold. – Emily Bolton had a fantastic run in this tactical race before she
made her move to a convincing lead, taking the title in 4.48.55. There was a strong field in
this race and Megan Brunt of Blackrock A.C had her sights firmly set on Emily for this race.
She moved with Emily as Emily tried to break. A very good race between these athletes
however, Emily proved too strong athlete today taking her win ahead of Megan who finished
in 4.51.83 and Naomi Wall taking the bronze in 4.55.63.
U19 Boys 1500m – Bronze – Rory Quill had an excellent run in Heat 1 of the 1500m. All
heats on times, and Rory was not leaving it to chance. Following a year of injury it was
fantastic to see Rory back on form as he re-enters competition. He won his heat in 4.01.94.
Caolan McFadden from Cranford A.C had a dominant performance in Heat 2 taking the win
and overall title in 3.54.45 with Shea O’Donnell from Ace A.C taking the silver in 3.55.76.
Rory’s time of 4.01.94 gave him a very well deserved bronze.
Aidan Benjacar and Jack Quinn were both drawn in Rory’s heat. Aidan pushed strong to the
finish to take 3 rd on the line in a time of 4.11.72 with Jack Quinn finishing 8 th .
U13 Boys – Issac O’Neill ran in heat 2 in the 600m finishing in 5 th position in a time of
1:43.08. The 600m was based on times with two heats. All three medallists came from
Isaac’s heat.
In the 60m Hurdles Isaac was in heat one and took a q to the final in a time of 10.25.
Channing O’Shea had a fantastic heat in heat two taking the Q in 10.18 and into the final. In
the final Isaac finished 5 th in 10.17 while Channing took 6 th in this National U13 60m Indoor
final. A new event to both boys, it must be said, outstanding results!
Channing O’Shea also competed in the U13 Boys Long Jump finishing 7 th overall with a
Jump of 4.28
U13 Girls – Maeva Edo Czechowska ran in heat 2 of the 60m sprint. She came 2 nd in 8.56
earning her automatic qualification to the Final. Maeva ran an impressive National Final
finishing 6 th in 8.52. Well done to Maeva, who has had an excellent indoor season.
U14 Boys – Andrew Low finished 8 th in the Long Jump with a best jump of 4.40
U15 Boys – Eoghan Thompson in the 1000m Walk went over the finish line in 3 rd . However,
there is some controversy on results so we will need to await the outcome.
He also took part in the High jump finishing 6 th with a best jump of 1.45
U17 Boys – Sam O’Reilly finished 2 nd in heat 5 of the 200m spring in 24.01, unfortunately
with only 1 st from each round with 1 fastest from all heats, he didn’t progress to the final on
this occasion.
Joshua ran in heat one in the U17 800m finishing 4 th in his heat in 2:08.98. All heats were
run on times. Unfortunately a lane infringement saw him DQ in the 400m
U19 Girls – Emily Jachna finished 2 nd in heat 1 of the 200m final in 26.22, unfortunately not
enough to progress. In the 60m she finished 3 rd in heat 2 in 8.03 and Q to the final. She
finished 8 th in the final in 8.08
Caoimhe Del Bello finished 12 th in the Long Jump with a jump of 3.85
Next week is Day 3 and the final day for Clonliffe with Issac O’Neill in the High Jump.
Well done to all our Juvenile National Indoor finalists. A very exciting outdoor season ahead
starting with the Juvenile League for up to U16 Day one in Tallaght on 27th April. Entries are
not open on the Entries4Sport portal. Graded Meets are open on the same portal for U17’s
up.
Well done to all our Juvenile athletes and to their dedicated coaches.
