National U20 & U23 Championships
Galway athletes enjoyed an outstanding weekend at the National U20 & U23 Track and Field Championships in Tullamore, securing national titles and medals across a wide range of disciplines.
Galway City Harriers celebrated one national title and a silver medal, winning gold via Lucas Fadden who was one of the stars of the championships, claiming the U23 Men's 100m title in an impressive 10.61 seconds. Having won his heat in 10.72 seconds, Fadden returned to run even faster in the final and secure national gold.
In the U20 Men's 400m, Shane McGovern produced an excellent performance to earn the silver medal. After winning his heat in 50.17 seconds, he clocked 49.91 seconds in the final, finishing only behind champion Alex Leonard of Donore Harriers.
West Coast AC enjoyed a hugely successful championship, returning home with three national medals, notably in the U20 Women's 3000m Walk, as Caoimhe Phelan claimed the national crown in 14:31.71 adding to her medal haul for the season.
The club's U23 Men's 4x400m relay team also struck gold, winning in 3:34.35. The victorious squad featured Leon Ewere, Jayden Montes, Enoch Olaoye, Joseph Connor and Oisin Phelan. West Coast AC's John McDermott also took bronze in the Men's 200 metres final.
Athenry AC enjoyed a strong championship with a gold and two silver medals. Sprint star Sean Doggett stormed to victory in the U23 Men's 200m, taking gold in 21.51 seconds after posting the fastest qualifying time in the heats.
Meanwhile, Liam Shaw earned the silver medal in the U23 Men's Discus and in the Shot Putt, recording best throws of 44.85 metres and 14.56 metres respectively.
Craughwell AC enjoyed a very successful championships, as the club secured two national titles and one silver medal, highlighted by a memorable one-two in the U20 Women's 400m Hurdles.
Lauren Kilduff stormed to victory in the U20 Women's 400m Hurdles in 1:00.25, while clubmate Emma O'Donovan followed home for silver in 1:02.79.
The club added a second national title through Darragh Kelly, who won the U20 Men's High Jump with a clearance of 1.93m, the highest jump in the competition.
South Galway AC international Orlaith Mannion delivered one of the standout performances by a Galway athlete, winning the U20 Women's 100m Hurdles title in 14.27 seconds.
Having won her heat earlier in the day, Mannion backed it up in the final to secure a deserved national gold medal for South Galway AC.
Loughrea AC star Darragh Fahy added another national title to Galway's tally by winning the U20 Men's Triple Jump. His best effort of 14.63 metres proved enough to secure gold, breaking the 45 year old National record in the process.
Castlegar's Matthew Newell claimed the silver medal in the U20 Men's 5000m Walk, recording an excellent time of 20:08.79, with both Newell and Seamus Clarke the winner beating the National record.
Tuam AC had two athletes on the podium at the National U20 & U23 Championships, both in the race walks.
Holly Shaughnessy won the bronze medal in the U23 Women's 3000m Walk, finishing third in 15:43.97, while Savanagh O'Callaghan secured bronze in the U20 Women's 3000m Walk, recording a time of 14:51.31, behind Caoimhe Phelan (West Coast AC).
Caltra 5/10km
Caltra and District AC hosted a 5k and 10k race last Friday on a fast course. Winner of the 5k was Ciaran Considine of South Galway in 16.16, with Fergal Hynes second and third Anthony Boyle.
First lady home was Michelle McGee in 18.17, with Aine Gilhooly second and Evangeline Dolan third.
In the 10k Robert Frewen of Raheny won out in 34.51, ahead of Sam Nyhan of Athenry AC and Adrian Grogan of Castlegar, while first lady home was Corrib AC’s Cliodhna Ruane in 42.03 ahead of Carla Hanafin and Aine Farrell.
Fixtures
This weekend sees the final events of the National Juvenile Track and Field calendar as the exciting Relays programme and the B Finals take place in Tullamore.
On the road, there are 5km races in the city on Saturday evening via Tribal Running at the Trappers Inn at 7pm, and on Sunday in Abbeyknockmoy from 9am, with a 10k and Half marathon also on the programme.
