It was pretty surreal at Morton Stadium for a national track and field championship like no other. The championships for well documented reasons were taking place behind closed doors. With other safety measures in place it was fairly challenging and different from the norm not just of course for the athletes but also for the hard-working officials. The weather conditions needless to say were also challenging a swirling wind and intermittent showers.
Session 1 saw several Clonliffe athletes in action with Simon Galligan excelling in the hammer throwing a new PB of 62.28 to take a thoroughly deserved bronze. Simon put an impressive series of throws in today with three 60+ metre efforts. A very good showing also in the long jump by Shannon Sheehy saw her take U/23 silver with a best of 5.56. In the women’s hammer Caoimhe Morris placed seventh overall in her comeback nationals with a best of 43.06. On the track Efrem Gidey was a comfortable qualifier in heat three for tomorrow’s 5000 final winning at ease in 15.26.09. Stephen Cashin ran very well to record a PB of 15.53.12. In the junior 5000 final a tired looking Ben Guiden finished well off his best in 16.30.57.
Session 2: Unfortunately neither Niall Counihan or Keith Marks made the start of the long jump competition. In the men’s 400 heats Fionn Carroll was 2nd (50.19) but did not progress and Emer Treacy ran 66.43 in the women’s 400 and likewise bowed out.
Session 3: This evening saw John Fagan safely negotiate his was into tomorrow’s 400H final after qualifying with a 54.33. Likewise Jonny Whan into the 1500 final winning his heat in 4.02.44. Greta Streimyte although not progressing into tomorrow’s final impressed with a 4.38.54 1500 for 6th place only a fraction off her PB.
Tomorrow will see Shannon Sheehy in both the high jump and javelin and both Stephen Rice and Rory Gunning in the men’s javelin. On the track Efrem Gidey in the what will be a cracking 5000 final, likewise Jonny Whan in what should be a brilliant 1500 final and John Fagan in the 400H final.