Indoor league: men 1st, women 5th/6th

The 1st round of the national indoor league took place at the NIA this morning. After the 8 events on the programme today the Clonliffe men topped the table on 115 points with the women’s team in 5th/6th position on 87 points.

The men’s team got off to a very positive start Marcus Lawler winning his heat in the 60 in 6.87 and finishing 2nd fastest overall, bagging 15 points. Later in the day in the 400 Marcus basically time trialed his heat winning in 48.01 to take maximum points as the fastest 400 of the day. In the 1500 Fintan Kerins was drawn in the 2nd heat where he finished 2nd in 3.58.50, the 3rd fastest time of the event to take 13 points. It was 3rd also for Greg Hossenny in the 1500 race walk. Likewise in the 4 x 200 relay, despite some drama, the team of Craig Duffy, Aaron Tierney Smith, Christopher Lynch and Jonny Fitzsimons won their heat in 1.34.11 finishing 3rd overall.

In the field events Eoin Sheridan contributed maximum points in the shot put winning with a best of 14.18. Eamon Fahy was 4th in the long jump (6.01) and Rolus Olusa likewise was 4th in the high jump (1.80).

Heading into the 2nd and final round on February 8 the men’s team lead on 115 points from DSD with 107 points and Ratoath AC 3rd on 92 points.

Batten charge: Ava passes to Rachael

Emily Bolton contributed maximum points to the women’s team as she was a runaway winner of the women’s 1500 clocking a time of 4.31.05. Emily Jachna was 2nd in her 60 in 8.14, 9th position overall. Rebecca Walsh finished 2nd in her 400 heat (5.38), 14th overall. Niamh Whyte took a fine 6 position in the 1500 race walk. The 4 x 200 relay team of Emily Jachna, Rebecca Walsh, Ava Usanova and Rachael Ogundimu ran very well indeed in their heat placing 2nd in a time of 1.48.19, 6th overall.

Edel Maguire set an Irish Masters W65 record in the high jump as she cleared 1.35m whilst taking 11th position. In the shot Vivian Okafor took 6 position with a best of 8.48 whilst Caoimhe Del Bello with a best of 4.01m finished 12th in the long jump.

The team currently places 5th/6th tied with Tullamore Harriers on 87 points. The table is topped by Ratoath AC on 128 points, DSD are 2nd on122.5, with St Laurence O’Toole 3rd 106.

The 2nd round events are: 60 H, 200, 800, 3000, WFD, pole vault, triple jump and 4 x 400 relay.

There were also guest events on the programme following the league. Craig Duffy ran 6.93 in series 1 and then an excellent 6.85 in series 2. Anthony Dillon – 7.20, Sam O’Reilly 7.44, Evan Storey 7.49, Adam Festus 7.64 and Sean Sinopluoglu 8.09. Emily Jachna ran 2 further 60s – 8.14 and 8.13. Rachael Ogundimu also ran 8.14 and Caoimhe De Bello 8.85.

In the guest 200 Christopher Lynch ran a pb of 23.34. A big pb also for U16 athlete Sam O’Reilly of 23.86.