Tir Chonaill AC notes
Mc Gowan smashes Irish record as Tir Chonaill juveniles shine in Nenagh
The clubs juveniles put together a series of outstanding performances when Part 1 of the Woodies Irish Juvenile Indoor finals were held in Nenagh on Saturday and Sunday last.
Kate McGowan, added the Irish U16 – 60m Hurdles title to her ever growing list of achievements. In a blistering final she recorded 8.90secs, 2 hundredths faster than her winning time at the Scottish c/ships in the Kelvin Hall three weeks ago and a new Irish age group CBP. Club and Abbey Voc School, team mate Ruth Gillespie, also qualified for the final where she finished 5th in a time of 9.90secs. Kate, from Clar, near Donegal Town, had to fit in the Long Jump, between the heats and final of the hurdles. With a best of 5.25m she filled a silver medal placing with club and school colleague Ciara Doogan, with a best of 4.23m.
Kelly Mc Grory, continues to improve with every outing. The Laghey lass on Saturday in the U17 60m heats recorded the 2nd fastest final qualifying time. In a nailbitting decider she recorded a huge PB of 7.90secs and had to wait for fifteen minutes until the electronic timing decided the placings – winner Ciara Armstrong City of Derry, 7.89secs 2nd Kelly 7.90secs. On Sunday Kelly was involved in the U17 60m Hurdles final where again the electronic aparatus was needed to decide placings. This time the Tir Chonaill girl got the gold medal winning verdict by 2 hundredths of a second – time 9.14ecs. ahead of Sharon Dawkins, Horsewod AC -9.16secs. Dnegal Towns Emma Brady filled 4th place -9.48secs.
Tir Chonaills throwers have been making steady progress over the last few seasons. Thomas McGowan,in the U14 event, pushed the 2.75 weighht out to 10.96m for a silver finish position- winner Rian Kealy, Dunshaughlin- 11.68m. Ciara Herron, North Sligo, in the U15 age group, who trains with Paul O’Gara’s group in Donegal Town, was very happy with a new P.B. of 10.60m and a bronze medal. Cliodhna Dunleavy, in the Girls U12 shot on her first visit to a National c/ships threw 5.93m.
Christopher O’Lauglin, narrowly missed qualification for the U16 60m final. In the Long jump he fought his way into the top ten with a best of 5.17m. Mark McGuiness, from Dunkineely and St Catherines Voc School, Killybegs, with a very good time time of 4mins. 17.36secs filled 6th place in the U18 -1,500m. Thanks to all the coaches and parents
that travelled to support and encourage.The 2nd part of these finals wil take next weekend when 9 club athletes and three relay teams will contest. It will be an historic occasion as from 2013 the Irish Indoor championships will be held in Athlones IT new indoor arena – now under construction.
Clubs 5K Spring series
Next Sunday morning –10am start – will find the opening run/walk of the clubs sponsored 5k series. The event will start and finish at the clubs facility at the Abbey Voc School and registration will open at 9am sharp.The 2nd and 3rd dates for your diary are Sunday mornings 15th and 29th April. All are welcome walkers, joggers, fit4life,meet and train groups,’serious athletes’- it will cost you €5 with a number of prizes drawn randomly each day and hospitality afterwards. Enquiries to Eamon Harvey, 087 279548
Tir Chonaill Open Meeting
Bank holiday Monday -April 9th -will find athletes from all over Ireland participate in the clubs open invitational meet. Last year the event attracted over 400 athletes and numerous outstanding performances were recorded eg 50m plus by Rachael Akers in the woman’s Hammer, 4.60m by Ian Rogers in the Pole Vault, a new Junior[U20] Northern Ireland record in the Shot Putt plus sprint/middle distance and field PB’s. Entry forms have been distributed to clubs. Enquiriesto David Doherty 0868011540
