The Leinster schools track and field championships got underway at a sun-drenched Morton Stadium today. The prize at stake for the athletes a coveted starting place in the All Ireland schools track and field in Tullamore on June 2nd.
Day one of the Leinsters is for the younger athletes in the minor and Junior categories. Demonstrating how tough it is to medal at a Leinster schools championships is the fact that the clonliffe athlete in today’s event although all performing to the best of their abilities managed to gather in a total of four medals and nearly all in field events. Jonas Norvaisas took junior boys shot gold, Michael Coleman was second in the junior boys high jump competition whilst Sally Sumola was third in the junior long jump with a best of 5.13m, a PB, and only 1 cm of silver and indeed gold. Such are the margins in this competition. Sally also placed 4th in the 100, fractions away from a medal.
In the middle distance races Orla O’Sullivan was a fourth place finisher in the junior Girls 800 in a new PB of 2.28. Jack Woods was 7th in the junior boys 800. Naoise Cullen battled away in the U/16 girls mile to finish in seventh place, likewise a battling performance from Cian Hill in the boys U/16 race saw him place 9th. Sean Boyne was 8th in the junior 1500.
The senior boys 2000sc, the only senior race of the day, saw Daniel Stone out sprinted to finish 2nd with Jordan Byrne 6th.