Waterford Athletes star at National Championships
Niamh Mc Grath of Tramore A.C., Waterford competes in the U16 girls Pole Vault during day one of the 123.ie National Juvenile Track and Field Championships at Tullamore Harriers Athletics Club in Tullamore, Offaly. Photo: Sportsfile/Paul Phelan
At the 123.ie All-Ireland U13 to U19 Championships in Tullamore, athletes from Waterford enjoyed a highly successful weekend, winning titles across both Saturday and Sunday.
Gold medals were won by Eddie Raicevic (U18 110m hurdles) and Lucy Raicevic (U17 pole vault), both of Finisk Valley, along with clubmate Anna Cullinane (U15 discus) and Chloe Landers (U15 hammer). Ciara Rohan of Waterford AC took gold in the U18 800m, while Arwen Mulligan of Tramore AC won the U17 400m. Cora Miller (Ferrybank) also claimed gold in the U18 100m hurdles.
There were several strong second-place finishes. Lucy Clinton (Waterford AC) placed second in the U18 3000m, while Eddie Raicevic added a second-place finish in the U18 long jump. Isa O’Brien (Ardmore) was joint second in the U13 high jump. Ferrybank athletes performed strongly, with Louis Smith securing second place in both the U14 hammer and shot put, and Sheila O’Donovan finishing second in the U15 80m hurdles and 80m.
Bronze medals were also plentiful. Emily Power (U17 shot put) and Ruby Stockwell (U17 100m hurdles) both reached the podium, while Niamh McGrath (Tramore) placed third in the U16 pole vault. Leah Queally (KCK) took bronze in the U16 triple jump, and Anna Cullinane added a second medal with bronze in the U15 shot put. Clodagh Scanlon (Finisk Valley) was third in the U13 shot put. In the boys’ events, Eoin Campbell (Tramore) and Michael Oakley Nolan (Finisk Valley) both secured bronze in the U17 100m hurdles.
On Sunday in Prague, at the World Masters Mountain Running Championships, Joe Gough of West Waterford AC (O70) finished joint sixth in a time of 1:11:23 alongside fellow Irish athlete Alexander Matthews.
The Irish O70 team, consisting of Joe Gough, Alexander Matthews and Joe Lawlor, claimed the silver medals. Also competing was Waterford’s Ian McHardy, who ran strongly in very hot and humid conditions, although he did not feature among the medal winners.
A total of 137 runners completed the Doocey’s Oriel Bar 5-Mile Road Race in Ballymacarbry on Friday last, the latest event in the West Waterford AC Summer Series.
Aidan Connell (West Waterford AC) was first home in 26:03, followed by Pawel Hoc (Clonmel AC) in 27:58 and Mikey Coleman (West Waterford AC) in 28:27.
In the women’s race, Michelle Kenny (Leevale AC) led the way in 29:24. Angela Tobin (West Waterford AC) was second in 32:58, with Kate Veale (West Waterford AC) finishing third in 33:13.
Category winners included Jamie Byrne (Clonmel AC, M40), Robert Speer (Clonmel AC, M45), Eugene O’Keeffe (Carrick-on-Suir AC, M50) and Ray Hahesy (West Waterford AC, M60).
In the women’s categories, winners were Céire Barry (F35) and Elaine Langley (F40), both West Waterford AC, Elaine Horgan (Clonmel AC, F45), and Andrea Gaffney (West Waterford AC, F50). Jessica Grigor (West Waterford AC) was the junior winner.
The annual Roscommon 10-Mile Road Race took place last Thursday and was won by Sean Tobin (Clonmel AC) in 49:29. David McGlynn (Waterford AC) finished second in 50:32, while Jake Regan (St John’s AC) was third in 51:14.
The National U20 and U23 Championships will take place this weekend, July 4th and 5th, in Tullamore, where Waterford clubs will be well represented.
Events get underway on Saturday with the women’s U20 100m hurdles, while Sunday’s programme includes the women’s U20 5000m steeplechase, starting at 11:30am.
The next race in the West Waterford AC Summer Series will take place in Ballinameela on Friday next at 7:30pm.
Number collection will be held at Ballinameela Community Centre from 6:15pm to 7:00pm (Eircode X35 D280), with refreshments and prize-giving afterwards.
Online entry is €12, while entry on the night costs €15 and closes at 7:00pm.
Prizes will be awarded to the first three male and female finishers, first junior male and female, and the following category winners:
Male – O40, O45, O50, O60 Female – O35, O40, O45, O50 Race entry is available at: https://eventmaster.ie/event/JpLmhpvHRk
