European Race-Walking Championships
Matthew Newell of Tuam AC competed at the European Race Walking Team Championships in Podebrady in Czechia last weekend. Newell raced in the U20 10km and recorded a new personal best of 44:52 as he finished in 19th place. Newell dipped under the 45-minute barrier for the first time, knocking almost a minute off his time from Raheny last December. Combining with his teammate Séamus Clarke (Moy Valley), who finished 13th in a new personal best of 43:22 , the Irish duo placed sixth overall.
Galway 5km Series
The 2025 Galway 5k series sponsored by EY continues in earnest, with leg four held last Tuesday in Abbeyknockmoy. Once again, Evan O'Rourke was first home for Maree AC in 16.01, with Kevin Mooney of Craughwell second and Tuam's Paul Kearney third. First lady was Jane Ann Meehan of Athenry AC, who just pipped GCH's Grainne Ni Uallachain by one second, with Elaine Harrington third for Maree AC. Last nights event in Maree saw O'Rourke win yet again, in 15.49 making it four wins from five, ahead of Kevin Mooney and Rian Colins of Athenry while Sarah Collins of GCH took the Ladies race victory in 18.29, with clubmate Aisling Joyce returning to action in second, and Amey Bermingham of GCH a solid third, Next Tuesday sees the final day in Athenry at 8 pm. (Main Photo: Evan O'Rourke, winner of the Maree AC and Loughrea AC 5k Series legs, CREDIT PHOTO John O'Connor)
Connacht Schools Track and Field Championships
The Connacht Schools Track and Field Championships were held last week in Athlone. Among the highlights were three team titles for High Cross College, Tuam, which won best overall school in 3 of the 4 girls’ categories at the event. The squad excelled, and among their winners were Senior Girls Niamh McWalter and Aine Maguire, as well as Rachel Treacy over hurdles. Individual performance of the day was via Seán Doggett in the colours of Coláiste an Eachreidh, who made history as he stormed to victory in the 400m, running an incredible 47.46, breaking the previous Connacht Schools record of 48.92 set in 2017 by Olympian Christopher O'Donnell. In the Senior sprints, the star of the show was Lemar Lucciano of St Mary’s College and West Coast, who took an amazing Double Gold in the 100m and 200m, in what was an outstanding display of sprinting, with clubmate Leon Ewere also making the podium.
Also for West Coast, Oisin Phelan won Senior Gold in the 400m hurdles with a strong performance, while at Intermediate level, Angela Cielecka of Taylors Hill stormed home to win the 100m, and Isobel Kelly claimed Senior Discus Gold. Daniel Sangodele of the Bish showcased his talent in the Triple Jump, jumping over 13 metres for Gold. Also in the field, Caleb Ike won gold in the Intermediate Boys Shot Putt for GCC. Some superb GCH performances were on show, including gold medals for Katie O'Haire at Intermediate level, winning the 200m gold, Juno Hayes won Senior Discus gold, and Gloria Filipe claimed the Triple Jump at Senior Girls level. Craughwell AC athletes were on fire for their schools, as the sprint events saw Cian Brady (St Raphael's) race to victory in the Intermediate Boys 200m in a time of 22.99. Lauren Kilduff (Gort CS) and Emma O’Donovan (St Brigid’s) raced to excellent times of 62.65 and 63.99 in the Senior Girls 400m Hurdles, edging ever closer to the European Youth Olympic standard of 60.20. Clarin College took double gold in the sprint hurdles with Darragh Kelly taking the Senior Boys 110m Hurdles in 16.26 and Rachel Warde the Intermediate Girls 80m Hurdles in 12.67. Cathal Gallagher (Calasanctius Oranmore) took the Connacht title in the Intermediate Boys 1500m Steeplechase in 5:00.36. In the high jump, Darragh Kelly added his second Connacht title of the day when taking victory in the Senior Boys High Jump with a best of 1.80 while Isabel Schukat (Pres Athenry) took the Senior Girls title with a clearance of 1.55m. Conor Penney (Calasanctius Oranmore) notched the club’s third High Jump gold on the day with a 2m clearance in the Intermediate Boys High Jump. Other notable wins on the day included a double for Orlaith Mannion of Seamount College in sprints and hurdles, wins for Danielle Moynihan of HRC Mountbellew, and Luke Walsh of Gort CS. All roads now lead to the Irish Schools Finals in Tullamore in June.
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