The Juvenile track and season came to an end today in Tullamore with the final day of the Nationals. It was also a final track outing for Sean O`Leary in the juvenile ranks as he moves on now to junior and soon senior…only seems like yesterday that a tall young boy with a GAA back round wandered into the Morton Stadium more concerned with how to be quicker in Division 22 hurling than training to be a runner, and look at him now….going home this evening as the 3d best U/19 1500 athlete in the country, goes to show!
So starting off fittingly on the day that`s in in with the U/19 1500 where Sean O`Leary was 3rd in 4.04.76. In the U/18s after heats in the morning Craig Giles was 4th (4.08.94), he had ran 4.23.38 earlier, Daniel Lacey was 10th 4.22.58, after a 4.16.52 heat. A tired Jordan Byrne ran 4.33.08 in his heat. U/17 Aaron Cullen was also a tired looking athlete today placing 6th in the U/17 (4.14.32). In the U/16s again the Clonliffe lads were tired after a long season Dermot Buckley was 12th (4.34.01) with Daragh Carter 16th (4.42.39).
Girls U/16 Sarah Bateson was 11th in 5.19.51. In the U/15s Alana Fitzsimons was best of the Clonliffe trio 11th in 5.21.23, with Katie Halpin 5.35.43 and Aoife Hession 5.43.88.
In the 200s Sally Sumola took national U/14 bronze with a 27.04, after a 27.53 in her heat. Emma McDonnell was 4th U/15 26.68. There were three Clonliffe girls n this final, Emma was 4th with Holly Roche 7th (27.10) and Alex Toomey 8th (27.36). U/17 where both Rebecca Fitzsimons and Rapha Diamond-Ebbs made the final, 6th Rebecca 26.81 (earlier Rebecca had ran 26.30) and Rapha 7th 27.20, after a 27.19 in her heat. U/18 where Caitlin O`Reilly went out in the heats, with injury in 26.91.
Alexandra Lapiy was 4th in the U/17 Javelin (28.10m)
So the season comes to an end. Thanks to all our athletes for the commitment shown throughout the year, thanks in particular to the coaches and thanks to the parents for your support.