On April the 9th the Irish University track & Field championships made a welcome return to the calender after a lapse of two years this weekend in the fantastic facilities at Carlow IT. Aaron Tierney Smith (our 110m hurdler) in the colours of WIT ran a solid heat of the 400m breaking his PB to gain an automatic qualifying spot for the final. Good to see Aaron back in competition, now focusing on the longer 400m event. In the final he made a conservative start, going into the last 200m at the back of the field. He relaxed into his running and drove on strongly coming off the final bend gaining ground to get up to 6th place in 50.30 breaking his PB again.
Roisin O'Reilly racing in the colours of her college UCD had a solo run in the 3k steeplechase event. She put in two very fast opening laps building up a big lead on the chasing pack and was rewarded handsomely as she took the title in a new PB of 10.43. Roisin was delighted to get her season under way in such fashion. Work in progress for both athletes who continue to improve on their personal performances. Well done to both
Clodagh Dunbar fresh from posting her recent 200m PB a week ago has only gone on to post a new 400m pb by 0.44 seconds.
She attended the midweek NIA live event and showed her ability finishing 3rd in heat 3 posting 1.01.44
Beast mode well and truly activated !
A different event today for a determined Roisin O'Reilly as she ran in UCD colours at the annual Trinity v UCD Cross country event. A well earned 2nd place was her reward as she continues a dedicated training plan carefully managed by her club coach Mick McKeon.
Winter League
On Friday night last we witnessed the return of the hugely popular Wexford Winter League. The venue was the track at Enniscorthy Sports Hub and although the weather was not ideal it did not dampen the spirit of our enthusiastic young athletes. First race of the night was the Tots race and then the program of age groups ran smoothly and quickly with some excellent performances all around.
We were well represented on the night with the following all giving it everything :
Laoise Dwyer, Faye Carthy, Cuan Monaghan, Conor Donovan, Nico Losak, Max Gilhooley, Calum Redmond, Aobhin Dwyer, Amy Conde, Sophie Fortune, Lauren Jones, Abbie Donovan, Zaira Healy, Jack Kinsella Rory Henderson, Laragh Walsh, Elijah Redmond, Lucas Redmond & Liam Berry
There are 2 more nights of this league and we encourage as many as possible to attend if available. Thanks to all who made the event happen and all helpers on the night
Enniscorthy 10km
The Enniscorthy 10k hosted by Slaney Olympic was the place to be on Sunday. After a horrible night of rain the morning rain clouds gave way to a nice morning for running. Great to see this race back on the racing calender. Well done to our 5 members who were on a lads day out as they enjoyed the 2 loop course on offer.
Dermot Foley, Gavin Hayes , Michael Kinsella, Eamonn Foley & John Dier all acquitted themselves well and were happy with their finish times.
Thanks to host club Slaney Olympic who again pulled out all the stops with a top class race. by Slaney Olympic
AAI Games
The AAI Games took place at the National Indoor Arena in Blanchardstown today.
In the 1500m today we saw the huge efforts in training pay off for Roisin O'Reilly as she reaps the benefits of her recent training plan. A PB of 4.36.80 over 1500m was her justified reward as her dedication paid off and plenty more to come from this ever improving athlete.
Over 200m Clodagh Dunbar has never broken 27 seconds. Until today. Another dedicated athlete who puts so much into her training today saw the results of all that effort claiming a huge PB over 200m in 26.87 seconds.
The 60m sprint saw Michael Deady suffer an unfortunate DQ in his first 60m, then in his second 60m he crossed the line in 7.44 for 5th in his heat.
John Treacy 10 mile Dungarvan
John Treacy 10 mile in Dungarvan is a long established race on the road race calender and after a covid enforced break the race returned for 2022 and it didn't disappoint.
A cool and breezy start saw approx 2500 athletes start the 10 mile route and enjoyed good weather until the end when some rain cooled everyone down.
The first club vest over the finish line was Dermot Foley 1:10:48 and was followed next in by Gavin Hayes in 1:12:47. Paul Donovan was our next man in 1:18:49 with new recruit Eamonn Foley 1:23:35 , Fran Power 1:27:04. Enda O'Sullivan in 1:30:44 & Darren O'Grady in 1:31:28 completed the club members efforts on the day. A really well organised event on a good course and well worth the journey down.
We will be back !
Leinster Juveniles
Day 1 of the Leinsters Juveniles took place in athlone today. Our first competitor of the day was Ailbhe White in the U18 400m heats, where she placed 3rd in heat 2, while also securing the 3rd fastest time of the 2 heats heading into the final. She was unfortunate to get the draw of Lane 1 for the final, none the less it didn't stop Ailbhe having a phenomenal start to the race Ailbhe held onto 3rd place after the cut in and held her own onto the third position to take home the bronze medal. Next up was Eimear Halpin in her last juvenile Indoor competition in the U19 400m. It was a straight final, from the tough lane of lane 2 and with a competitive field, Eimear held strong running a great race coming in 4th position. Finally we have Liam Berry competing in his first and last Juvinile Indoor in the U19 400m. Liam took on the race and with all his training paying off and his commitment to the event he was well rewarded with a bronze medal. Well done the Ailbhe and Liam as they progress to the Nationals in March.
Raheny 5 mile
The Raheny 5 Mile has long been an established race attended by athletes from all over the country. Hosted by Raheny Shamrocks AC today was the 38th edition of this race. A recent recruit to the club travelled up to Dublin to run this morning. Eamon Foley comfortably ran a 42.52 on the 5 mile course.
Well done Eamonn.
IUAA Roisin
The IUAA Intervarsity Indoors took place today in the AIT Arena. A who is who of Irish athletes representing their colleges and universities. Our own Roisin O'Reilly competed in the colours of UCD in the 1500m. It was a very tactical race and Roisin used her race craft to stay in contention and she was rewarded with a 3rd place finish. A great result for Roisin who us one the hardest working athletes we know.
Congratulations Roisin.
Indoor League Day 2
Today Day 2 of the National Indoor League brought our athletes to AIT Arena in Athlone. Starting off the team competition was Ailbhe White in the high jump, next up was Roisín O'Reilly in the 1500m followed by Catherine O'Connor taking on a new event in the weight for distance performing well. Back on the track was Eimear Halpin taking on the 400m and to finish off the league competition Eimear Halpin, Grace White, Clodagh Dunbar & Ailbhe White took on the 4 X 200m relay finishing a good performance all round by the ladies team.
Guest races were a also part of the day where Michael Deady ran the two series of 60m's, Clodagh Dunbar had a busy day first in the 200m and then the 400m. Roisín O'Reilly had a good run in the fast paced 800m. Ailbhe White continued her consistency with another good run in the 400m race. Well done to all who competed today taking on events outside their comfort zone.
Thus week it's back to more training for the upcoming indoor season and with the govt. announcement it looks good for the upcoming season for athletes and spectators alike.
