National Senior Indoors
The 123.ie National Senior Indoor Track and Field Championships were held over two days last weekend in the National Arena in Abbottstown, Dublin. Two of Galway’s top young athletes excelled and claimed medals in a highly competitive series of races. Emma Moore of Galway City Harriers made a stunning senior-level debut, claiming a superb silver medal in the ladies' 800m, pushing eventual winner international Louise Shanahan of Leevale all the way. Moore ran a very confident race and a tactically astute one in winning silver in 2.08.63 .
Athenry star Sean Doggett (pictured) is no stranger to the big stage, having raced at the European Outdoor championships last year, and he made more progress winning bronze in a stacked Men’s 400m in a fast 47.69, behind winner Conor Kelly.
Craughwell duo Kyle Moorhead and Oisin Davis made middle distance finals, with Moorhead a fine 5th in the 800m event and Davis 12th in the 1500m race. Also for Craughwell Darragh Kelly finished fourth in a great performance in the Men’s High Jump leaping 1.85m.
Orlaith Mannion of South Galway AC hurdled to a great sixth place behind Sarah Lavin in the ladies' 60m Hurdles final.
Laura Nally of GCH put in the performance of her life to make the National Senior 60m final, placing 7th in a club record 7.68s. Her clubmate Andrew Egan made the 60m Men’s Semis, however, Cillin Greene was injured ahead of the 400m and unable to compete.
Loch Lurgan, GCH and Tuam AC made great strides in the Race Walks, with seven from Galway competing, with Matthew Newell 7th in the Men’s race for Tuam, and Beabhain Hosty of Loch Lurgan 7th and Tuam AC’s Taillte O Callaghan 8th in the Ladies race.
All in all a very successful championship for Galway clubs, with many of the Juvenile stars of recent years have now progressed to the top Senior level.
Fixtures upcoming
The Kinvara series of 10k, Half-Marathon and Marathon takes places this weekend in the village, with events all morning, and all are sold out.
The National 10k Road race championships is on March 23rd in Dunboyne, Co. Meath, with Galway clubs expected to field strong teams, notably GCH, Craughwell and Castlegar.
