Jenny Johnston and Gerry Cullen report: Both men’s and women’s squads travelled to TUS Athlone on Sunday 31st July, on a drizzly bank holiday weekend. Thankfully the rain passed early and a sunny day with very little breeze made for a fine day of competition.
The men’s squad were hit by some late withdrawals and injuries. Strong performances by those who travelled earned 125 points for 2nd place on the day.
The women’s team, although small in number, showed guts and versatility in abundance. Scoring a fantastic and well-earned 109 points for 4th place.
Final results are not available yet but early calculations suggest that both teams have possibly made the final. TBC
In the women’s competition, maximum points courtesy of Leah Bergin, running her 2nd fastest 400m ever in 56.27.
Grace Casey joining the league squad for the first time added 9 points to the tally with a throw of 38.38m.
Greta Streimyte ran a great front running race in the 1500m in 4:37.14 for 1st place.
The 4x400m relay captured the team spirit of the day with Lauren Carr storming into a fantastic 2nd place and 7 points. Anna Heavey hot off the individual 100m (13.41 for 4th place) led the team out and had a fantastic 400m debut, also joined by great runs by Leah Bergin and Sarah Hawkshaw.
This was a fantastic team performance after difficulties in the changeover zone lead to a DNF in the 4x100m relay.
Snezana impressed in the 400mH narrowly missing out on the top spot with a time of 1:08.32 and 7 more points for 2nd place. Moving on almost immediately to the pole vault with 1.70 for 2nd place and 7 more points. Snezana was back on track for the 200m and 5th place in 27 secs flat.
Jenny Johnston added 7 points with a 2nd place in the shot put of 8.88m and a further 6 points with 3rd in the discus, 25.97m. Jenny also adding 4 points with 5th place in the 1500m Walk in 9:47.05.
After a mid-week introductory hammer session courtesy of Frances Mansfield, Kate Connell took to the new event like a duck to water. Looking confident and comfortable in the cage, Kate threw 14.39m for 2nd place and 7 points. Kate also threw 3.24m for 5th place in the 28lbs WFD.
Sarah Hawkshaw took a fine 2nd place in the 800m with a new PB of 2:22.53 and 7 points.
Lauren Carr competed in the unfamiliar triple jump, leaping 8m for 4th place and 5 points.
Laura Tuite took 4th place in the 3000m with a time of 10:41.84 and 5 points.
With the early rain, Edel Maguire competed in the 2 jump events indoors, with 3.83m for 6th place in the long jump and 1.35m in the high jump for 5th place.
In the men’s competition, the first points of the day came from Greg Hossney, in the 3000m walk, with a fine 1st place in 18.01.90.
Maximum points were gained from Fintan Kerins in the 800m with a time of 1.58:69, Chris Sibanda with 10.61 in the 100m and Keith Marks doing the double with 6.7m in the long jump and joint first place in high jump with 1.8m.
Smooth baton changes in the 4x 100 relay by Pierce Friel, Keith Pike, Leo Morgan and Chris Sibanda ensured another 9 points in the bag.
Eoin Sheridan threw 12.75m for 1st place in the shot and added to that immediately after with 51.64m for 1st place in the discus.
Rory Gunning, carrying an injury, answered the clubs call and scored max points in the Javelin with a throw of 46.95m, and a further 6 points by doubling up in WFD with 4.1m for 3rd place.
Fine performances from Jarlath Jordan in 400m (53.83), Mark McDonald in 1500m (4:20.16), Stephen Cashin in the 5k (15:45.43) and Cillian Keegan in 3000m SC (11:19.06) all earned valuable 2nd place points.
Pierce Friel stepped in as a last-minute call up and scored a valuable 5 points in the 200m (25.75).
The last event of a long day, the men’s 4 x 400 team of 4 very tired athletes, Jarlath Jordan, Keith Pike, Stephen Cashin and Fintan Kerins still toed the line to add a further 6 points to the tally.
Well done to all athletes and both teams on a great day of competition.