The national indoor league got underway at the NIA, Abbottstown today. The Clonliffe men’s team enjoyed a good day finishing round one on top on 77 points with Ratoath AC 2nd on 67 and Nenagh Olympic on 61. Rolus Olusa got the day off to a very positive start winning the 60 H in a time of 8.44 for maximum points, Rolus also contributed maximum points in the pole vault winning with a best of 4.30M. Pascal Touche also concluded maximum points winning the triple jump with a best of 12.73m and then stepped into the breach in the 200, with little or no warmup, to take 2nd place in his heat in a time of 23.49 taking 5th place overall. Fintan Kerins was 2nd in the 800 in a time of 2.00.00 and Stephen Cashin was 6th in the 3000 (8.49.30). The 4 x 400 relay team of Aaron Tierney Smith, Conor Wilson, young Christopher Lynch and Jonny Fitzsimons battled to 2nd place overall (3.29.57) and finally in the WFD making his club debut Niall Allen took 3rd with a best of 6.38m.
Unfortunately things did not go to plan for the women’s team, illness and injury taking its toll as the team ended the day in 10th position overall on 42.5 points, leaving the team with work to do next week to progress to the February 3 final. Snezana Bechtina was 6th in her 60H heat, 12th overall (11.69) and 7th in both the pole vault (1.80m) and triple jump (9.37). Ciara O’Regan competed in the WFD finishing in 12th position with a best of 3.66m.. The 200 Emily Jachna was 2nd in her heat (27.65), 9th overall. Julie Larkin ran a 3000 pb of 10.41.45 to take 4th place whilst the 4 x 400 relay team of Rebecca Walsh, Sarah McDonnell, Edel Maguire and Emily finished 9th overall.
Following the league there were a number of guest races, in the 60 heat 1 there was a great Clonliffe battle with Chris Sibanda placing 4th (6.93), Leo Morgan 5th (same time) and Craig Duffy 7th (7.04). In series 2 Leo ran 6.99 and Craig 7.02. Aaron Tierney Smith won heat 1 of the 400 in a time of 50.43. In the 60 H Rolus was 4th in 8.43. Edel Maguire also round the guest races running 9.18 in the 60 and 30.47 in the 200 Sarah Bateson ran an 800 pb of 2.22.61 in finishing 4th. Rory Quill was 3rd in heat to of the 800 in a time of 1.59.08. Finally Matei Ursachi in a stacked 3000 was 9th in 9.09.31.
Round 2 of the league is in Athlone next Sunday the 14th featuring 60, 400, 1500, race walk, 4 x 200 relay, shot, high jump, long jump. There are also guest races however entry for those guest races closes tomorrow January 7.