European U23 Championships
Four of Galway’s top athletes travelled to Bergen in Norway to last weekend’s European U23 championships held between 17th and 20th July. Emma Moore of Galway City Harriers ran a strong race to place seventh in a competitive heat over 800m individually, and later in the championships was instrumental on the Women's 4 x 400m team, which set a new national U23 record in their heat. The quartet of Moore, Kate O'Connell (Lucan Harriers), Victoria Amiadamen (Dooneen AC), and Jenna Breen (City of Lisburn AC) clocked a time of 3:34.81 to dip under the previous record (3:34.87) set in 2017. Andrew Egan (GCH) competed well in the 200m and was fifth overall in his heat. The highlight of the week for the Galway contingent saw relay duo Andrew Egan and David Mannion of South Galway AC, along with the Irish U23 4 x 400m relay team (pictured), race to an Irish record and a superb fifth-place finish in the European U23 final. In the final, Andrew Egan (GCH) led out the first leg, handed over to Calum Baird of Ballymena and Antrim, and then to Joe Doody (UCD), and finally David Mannion, who stormed home in 5th and a new national U23 record of 3:06.31 mins. Tuam AC athlete Alix Joyce raced well for 11th place in Round one in the 3000m Steeplechase event, capping a great season to date at her new event.
European Youth Festival Athletics
Conor Penney of Craughwell is currently competing as part of the Irish team in the European Youth Olympic Festival later in July in Macedonia. The Craughwell athlete is through to the High Jump final. Matthew Newell of Tuam AC is also selected after a brilliant Race Walking season, and will go in the 5km Race Walk event. Both events are on 23rd July.
FISEC Games
Also competing last weekend were GCH Juvenile athletes, Lucy Hounkponou and Shane McGovern, who were in Budapest as part of an Irish team at the historic FISEC Games. Hounkponou excelled as she claimed a superb gold medal over the Ladies 100m Hurdles, with a sensational 14.14 seconds, a new club record. Shane McGovern medalled as well, winning bronze in his 400m Final, topping off a great season.
Schools International Track and Field
The SIAB International Schools event was held in Derby, England, last weekend, with several Galway athletes competing. Daniel Sangodele of The Bish and West Coast AC delivered for Team Ireland today, winning a superb bronze in the Triple Jump with a huge leap of 13.60 metres. Rachel Treacy (Tuam AC) had a great debut in an Irish vest, finishing in 5th place overall as the youngest athlete in the entire competition. West Coast athlete Michelle Nnadi raced to 8th in her 100m event, and topped her championship off, winning a superb bronze with the Girls 4*100m team in the Relay event
Results and Fixtures
Another medal winged its way to Galway City Harriers when their outstanding Ladies' road racing squad claimed a Silver medal at the National 10-mile Championships in Dublin on Sunday last. The winning trio were Mila Geldenhuys (4th lady overall), Maebh Brannigan (6th lady overall) and Clodagh Egan (28th lady overall), and a gold medal win by Christine Kennedy to take National Gold in the Master F70 category.
Caltra and District AC host their Summer 5k, and also a 10k on 25th July next at 7 pm, with entry open on Eventmaster.
The National Track and Field League Final takes place this weekend in Tullamore. Galway County Women’s team will aim for another podium finish, while Galway County Men and Galway City Harriers club squad will also compete, with the event on Sunday, July 27th.
Also, the 123.ie National Masters Track and Field Championships take place in Tullamore this weekend (July 26th), with over 500 athletes set to compete across the action-packed eight-hour schedule. Following a stellar indoor season and a strong showing at the World Masters Championships in Florida, Ireland’s top masters athletes are set to light up the outdoors on Saturday.
