Three club athletes gain International selection
It was a most successful weekend for our club athletes in National competitions in Santry Stadium[Saturday] and in Tullamore[Sunday].
The prestigious Tailteann Games Inter provincial, in a blustery Santry, found Kelly McGrory, Abbey Voc School, repeating her All Ireland schools win when she crossed theline in the 300m hurdles.The Laghey lass was very fast from the blocks and good aggressive hurdling technique found her with a five metres lead entering the home straight. A strong headwind in the last 70 metres made it difficult for all athletes to hold form. A slight mishap at the final barrier did not deter Kelly as she swept to vicory. Later in the afternoon she doubled up as Ulster’s representatives with club and school mate, Kate Mc Gowan in the 80m Hurdles. Kate came through and repeated her All Ireland schools winning performance with Kelly in the bronze medal position. Earlier Kate had battled with the elements when recording a third place in the Long jump with a best of 5.20metres.
Following the meeting the Irish schools selectors rewarded both with places on the Irish team for the Home countries International in England on July 21st. Kelly and Kate are also members of the Irish 4 x 100 and 4 x 300m relay squads. Congratulations from everyone in Tir Chonaill on this fine representative achievement and to Royal and Prior Raphoe,John Kelly, Shot Putt, Cian McBride, Summerhill College,/Grange 800m, Zak Irwin, Sligo Grammar, 100/200m and Jordan Hilton, Protora, 4x100m relay.
Its a fine achievement to be included on a provincial team at any level. Emma Brady, Abbey Voc School, got out to a new PB distance of 10.41m in the Triple Jump for 5th.Hannah Campbell, St Catharine’s Killybegs, cleared 2.50m in the Pole Vault for a 5th place finish. Thanks to the club/school coaches and parents who travelled to Santry to support and encourage.
Karl Griffin selected for World Juniors
The Irish Junior U20 championships in Tullamore on Sunday had a number of successes for Tir Chonaill athletes. Karl Griffin, moving down a distance, led the charge with two excellent victories in the heat and final of the 400m. The Ballydevitt man ran PB times of 49.48secs and 49.52secs – 90 minutes apart and in an exciting final came from 4th position at 200m to power his way up the home straight for another impressive win.
On Monday morning when the Irish team of 15 was announced for the World Junior/U20 championships in Barcelona, Karl and all in Tir Chonaill and the local community were delighted with his inclusion. He will compete in the 800m on the hill top Barcelona Olympic Stadium in the 800m heats on Friday morning 13th July. We wish him and the Irish team -which includes five Donegal athletes – all the best against athletes from over one hundred countries in an event that will produce numerous future Olympic medal winners.
The demanding Leaving Certificate – just concluded- did not deter Christopher Doherty from bouncing back to secure a silver medal winning performance in the technical and psychologially demanding Pole Vault discipline. His best of 3.50metres will give the Gortloskey lad added confidence as the season progresses. Louise Harvey, getting back to fitness finished 5th in the 400m hurdles in a time of 65+ seconds while Barry Quigg from neighbouring Sliabh Liag AC cleared 1.90m for 4th in the High Jump and 12.78m for a bronze medal in the Triple Jump. Training partner at Donegal Town, Conal Mahon got out to 12.61m for 6th.
Upcoming
With the Track and Field season hotting up its final preparation time for the National Senior championships -7/8th July in Santry and Juvenile All Irelands in Tullamore on 14/15th July and 28/29th July.
Nearer home the 2nd round of the Donegal c/ships takes place tonight[Thursday] in Letterkenny while the clubs road athletes will support the very popular Agaharn 5k on Friday night.
The clubs annual popular summer camp takes place next week -Monday to Friday- at the Abbey Voc School, Donegal Town.The organisors report a large response.
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