Paris Olympics
Huge congratulations to all members of the Irish team which has just returned from the Paris Olympics in particular the Dublin club members - Tallaght’s Rhasidat fourth in the women’s 400m and the 4x400m, Sophie Becker of Raheny Shamrock, start leg for both the mixed 4x400m and the women’s 4x400m, Clonliffe’s Cathal Doyle who thrilled the nation when winning his 1500m repechage, 20-year-old Nicola Tuthill of UCD who gave of her best in the women’s hammer, Sarah Healy of Blackrock AC, Brian Fay of Raheny Shamrock and siblings Jodie and Luke McCann of DCH/UCDin the middle distances and Eric Favors in the shot. Here’s to the World Championships next year!
ROADS
On Friday evening, at the Kells 5km Heritage Run in Co Meath Eoin Flynn (Rathfarnham WSAF AC, M40) finished second in 15:18, while third in 15:25 was Sean Doran (Clonliffe Harriers). Fourth and first junior was Conor McGuirk (Lusk AC) in 15:31. In the age categories, Patrick O’Grady (Clonliffe Harriers) was first M60 and Carol Dempsey and Sharon McGrane, both Civil Service AC, first and second W50. Winning the men’s team category was the Clonliffe trio of Doran, Eoin Maguire and O’Grady.
Elsewhere,Noeleen Brouder (Sportsworld AC, W45) was first woman in 64:59 at the Monaghan 10-Miler on Sunday.
TRACK AND FIELD
A large group of Irish athletes travelled to Bury in the north of England on Saturday for the British Milers Club Grand Prix final in Bury. Among them were David Scanlon (Rathfarnham WSAF) who finished ninth in the B 5000m race in 14:40.11. Carla Sweeney (Rathfarnham WSAF) finished ninth when running in the women’s A 1500m in a personal best 4:13.22, with Amy O’Donoghue (DSD) 14th in 4:23.82. In the B race, Ellie Hartnett (UCD) finished third in 4:25.14. In the men’s A 1500m Philip Marron (DCH) clocked a personal best 3:42.49 for fourth in the C race. Nadia Power (DCH), who is slowly returning to full fitness, won the the B 800m in 2:06.05.
At the NI and Ulster Track and field Championships at the Mary Peters Track, Belfast on Friday and Saturday, Orla Duffy (DCH) finished second in the women’s 5000m in 17:26.35.
In London, Marcus Lawler put injury woes behind him at the BFTTA Open Meet in Lee Valley on Sunday. Some two weeks after setting a new Clonliffe Harriers 100m record in the National League final in Tullamore, Lawler improved on his own club record when winning the men’s 200m in 20.63 (-0.4) secs. Earlier in the meet, Lawler he had finished fifth in both rounds of the 100m clocking times of 10.41 and 10.48.
CATCH-UP
At the NI Athletics open meet held on Thursday August 1 at the Mary Peters Track, Belfast Mark Milner (UCD) won the men’s 800m in 1:48.37 with Finn Woodger (Metro St Brigid’s, U23) second in a personal best 1:48:95. Carla Sweeney (Rathfarnham WSAF) proved fastest in the women’s 800m with a time of 2:05.07. Amy O’Donoghue (Dundrum South Dublin) was second fastest in 2:07.37 and Zoie Ritchie (Rathfarnham WSAF, U20) third in a personal best 2:07.89. In the women’s 1500m, Ellie Hartnett (UCDAC) was quickest in 4:29.12.
