Kate Veale wins a ninth National Indoor title in style
Kate Veale celebrates winning the Senior Women 3000m Race Walk at the National Indoor Championships. Photo: INPHO/Morgan Treacy
At the 123.i.e., at the National Senior Indoor Championships in Abbotstown, Dublin, on Saturday, February 28th, two Waterford athletes made it through to the semi-finals of the 400 metres. Eoin Kenny won his heat in 48.82 seconds, and Ellis McHugh Ferrybank finished 2nd in her heat in 57.19. The semi-finals were on later the same day. In the semi-finals, Eoin Kenny of Waterford was 2nd in his 400 metres semi-final in 48.18. and is through to Sunday's final, but Ellis McHugh Ferrybank lost out in her semi-final of the 400 metres. On Saturday, Callum Hurley Ferrybank won his heat of the 800 metres and automatically qualified for Sunday's final, also in 1.55.26. Luke Savage Waterford didn't make the final. Two other athletes from Ferrybank and Tramore, Petra Igwe (Ferrybank) and Caoimhe Murphy (Tramore), in the 60 metres hurdles, did not progress. On Day 2 of the 123. of the National Senior Indoor Championship on March 1st in Abbottstown the day started off very well from a Waterford viewpoint as Kate Veale West Waterford won her 9th Indoor 3000 Metres Walk Championship comfortable and confidently in 13 minutes 50.48 seconds,2nd was Aisling Lane Mullingar Harriers in 14.07.13 and 3rd was Ciara Wilson Bowen Dundrum South Dublin 14.21.79, Méabh O'Connor Waterford was 9h of the 16 that competed in the race in 15.58 .11.In the 400 metres final Eoin Kenny Waterford finished 5th in 50.37 well outside his best time of 48 seconds, Taiwo Aderini also Waterford was 9th in his long jump with 6.29 metres. Then came the second medal of the Championships for Waterford through Callum Hurley Ferrybank in the 800 metres final in his best time ever over the distance of 1.48.37, just behind Cillian Kirwan Raheny, Dublin, who won in 1.47.68. Well done to all the athletes from Waterford who competed very. Another winner who did all of her running with West Waterford over the years, but left last year for Dublin City Harriers, Lucy Holmes won the 1500 metres in 4.31.10.
The 123.ie All Ireland Schools’ Cross Country Championships will take place in Mallusk Playing Fields, Park Road, Newtownabbey, Co Antrim BT36 4RH on Saturday next at 12 Many athletes from Waterford schools will compete on a long journey from their homes. Athlete Registration will open at 10am. Bib Number Collection: All athlete numbers will be collected in the changing room area before the event. There is only one entrance to the event.
On Saturday next in Abbotstown, the Irish University Indoor Championships will take place, and any athletes from Waterford Clubs will compete with various Universities and Colleges around the country. The start time is around 11am.
On Saturday and Sunday next, the Munster U14 to 19 Indoor Championships are in Nenagh at 10 am on both days. Lots of athletes from Waterford will compete on both days.
Athlone will be the venue for the National u 20 and u23 Championships, with a 10 am start on March 14th, and the National Masters are also in Athlone on March 15th, again at 10am.
Last week, in my report on the Munster U14 to 19 Championship, I omitted to mention Isabelle Gaffney, West Waterford, for her two U-17 Championship wins in the event. the 800 metres and 400 metres in championship best times.
