A 31-year-old Donegal athletics record was broken today at the Irish Life Health National Senior Championships.
Lifford-Strabane AC’s Gareth Crawford scooped a silver medal in the javelin with a mammoth 66.01 metre effort.
Crawford had already broken the record with an earlier 64.13m attempt, but he went one better for good measure
The previous best was set by South Donegal Harriers’ Kevin McBrearty at Belfield in 1988, as he reached out to 60.00m.
McBrearty’s record stood from then to now, but Crawford set a new mark at Morton Stadium this afternoon.
Stephen Rice of Clonliffe Harriers took the gold with a 69.75m while a 65.06 by Rory Gunning, also of Clonliffe, saw him win bronze.
Inishowen AC’s Sarah Kelly won the U23 section of the women’s 5,000m.
Tomorrow, Mark English goes in search of his seventh Irish 800m title. English, the 2019 European indoor bronze medalist, cruised through his heat in 1:53.60 today and will line up in tomorrow evening’s final.
Mark English UCD A.C. cruises home in first heat of the men’s 800m in 1:53.60 securing a place in the final!
Conall Hayes Le Chéile A.C. get the last automatic place in the heat in the 1:53.73
Live results ➡️ https://t.co/raTXnSBffR#ILHSC19 pic.twitter.com/DLDAliXsJd
— Athletics Ireland (@irishathletics) July 27, 2019
It was a composed and controlled effort by English and the Letterkenny native is expected to be atop the podium again.
Kelly McGrory, the 2016 gold medalist, is into the women’s 400m hurdles final. The Tir Chonaill AC woman was the second fastest qualifier having finished her heat in 1:01.56 today.
Can McGrory medal at these Championships once more after an injury-hit period.
Finn Valley’s Simon Archer will compete in the men’s 200m final after finishing his heat in 21.79 seconds.
Shane Irwin (Finn Valley) booked a place in the 400m final as he finished his heat in second, finishing in 48.25.
Oisin Gallen, also of Finn Valley, will be in the men’s 1500m final after the American-based student finished third in his heat. Gallen is coming off a long, successful season, but finished in 3:56.88 to reach tomorrow’s final.
