Weekly Galway Athletics Report

National Senior Track and Field Championships  

Last weekend’s action in athletics featured the highlight of the domestic athletics calendar, as the National Senior Outdoor Track and Field Championships were held in Morton Stadium, Dublin 

Galway clubs came away with three medals after two great days of competition at a packed Morton Stadium. Top billing goes to newly formed West Coast AC (pictured), who debuted in style, winning the Men’s 4 by 100m Relay on Saturday with a storming performance. The West Coast squad comprised of Nick Ukaga, Leon Ewere, Christian Ogbemudia, Hamsley Okomah, Ben Edeh and Enoch Olaoye. 

Individually Conor Penney of Craughwell AC excelled in the High Jump, clearing 2.05m for a first Senior medal, behind champion David Cussen 

Robert McDonnell of GCH made a stunning return from injury to win Silver in the Men’s 200m, just pipped by Mark Smyth of Raheny. Andrew Egan was 4th over the line also in the final for GCH 

Cillin Greene of GCH placed fourth overall in a highly competitive field over 400m, with Jack Raftery of Donore taking a debut win over the one lap distance 

Sinead Treacy of Craughwell continued her strong run at Nationals, making yet another final and placing 8th overall 

Race Walkers also performed well in the Ladies 5k Walk, with Tuam athlete Savanagh O Callaghan a fine fifth overall in her debut Senior championship, with Sinead Maher of South Galway 11th, Beibhinn Hosty Loch Lurgan 12th and Ciara Gilmore of Tuam 13th 

In the throws Liam Shaw of Athenry placed seventh in the Discus throw and 6th overall in the Shot Putt. Also in the Field, GCH athlete Aoife Sheehy was 9th in Triple Jump with Pierce Hopwood 7th in the Weight for distance with 5.44m 

European U18 Championships Selections  

Four Galway athletes have been selected to compete in the European U18 Championships in Slovakia later this month. Conor Penney of Craughwell has been picked in the High Jump for the Irish squad, along with Orlaith Mannion in the 100m Hurdles, for South Galway AC. 

Ireland have arguably never sent a stronger walks selection to a European Championships with Matthew Newell (Tuam AC) and his clubmate Savanagh O Callaghan part of a top-class squad. The championship takes place between July 18th and  21st next